Colorado Health Network (CHN), a forty-three-year-old nonprofit health services organization providing HIV prevention, care, and supportive services across Colorado, issued the following statement today from CEO Darrell Vigil regarding proposed federal funding cuts to HIV prevention programs:

Late Monday, February 9, we learned of possible federal public health funding cuts via reporting in The New York Times that specifically called out cuts to CHN’s HIV prevention programs via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CHN’s executive management team immediately began working to gain clarity on the proposed cuts and their impact on the organization’s work to reduce HIV transmission.

On February 10, we met with our CDC program officer, who confirmed the cuts being reported in the media but had no additional information. CHN is currently in the final year of a five-year CDC grant aimed at increasing HIV/STI testing in Denver and Colorado Springs, as well as surrounding counties, with a focus on communities who are disproportionately impacted by HIV. CDC funding partially supports CHN’s HeyDenver and Hey719 sexual health and wellness centers located at 822 E 19th Avenue in Denver and 2230 W. Colorado Avenue in Colorado Springs.

“These proposed cuts are not just budget line items—they represent real people in our communities who will lose access to lifesaving HIV prevention services,” said Darrell Vigil, CEO of Colorado Health Network. “At a time when we’ve made significant progress in reducing new HIV infections, cutting prevention funding is both short-sighted and fiscally irresponsible. Every dollar invested in HIV prevention saves exponentially more in future healthcare costs.”

In fiscal year 2025, CHN’s HeyDenver and Hey719 sexual health and wellness staff administered 2,379 free HIV tests, 397 free Hepatitis C tests, 2,278 free syphilis tests, 2,613 free gonorrhea and chlamydia tests; provided navigation resources to connect 557 people with PrEP HIV prevention medication; and connected 50 people with post-HIV exposure resources.

“HIV prevention funding is a smart investment. Every new HIV case prevented saves at least $500,000 in lifetime health care costs,” said Vigil. In Colorado, data suggests that only 26.5% of individuals who could benefit from pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are currently prescribed these medications, despite PrEP being 99% effective at preventing HIV acquisition. The loss of CDC funding will result in reduced HIV/STI testing and linkage to care and access to PrEP in Denver and Colorado Springs, as well as surrounding counties. Ultimately, this will result in increased numbers of HIV diagnoses and enormous costs to an already overburdened healthcare system.

“CHN has been in touch with our advocacy partners and members of our Congressional delegation to fight against these short-sighted cuts. CHN leadership is working on contingency plans and identifying other funding sources, assuming these cuts take effect,” said Vigil.

We encourage community members to reach out to their Congressional representatives. Those who would like to support CHN’s efforts may visit www.coloradohealthnetwork.org/give