Fremont County health department disputes vaccination rate with the state
FREMONT COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) According to the state’s website, Fremont County has one of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in Colorado. Out of 64 counties, Fremont County ranks 53rd in the state with 37.4% of the eligible population receiving at least one dose.
However, the Fremont County Department of Public Health & Environment is calling on the State health department to correct those numbers, saying they re extremely flawed. The discrepancy comes down to the number of inmates in Fremont County.
Kayla Marler is the director of the Fremont County Department of Public Health & Environment. She says prisoners are included in the county’s overall population, but their vaccination status isn’t included in the data reported by the state.
The Royal Gorge Route Railroad plans to give free train rides to Fremont County residents who got their second vaccination at the Royal Gorge Mansion, the railroad announced Thursday.
About a third of the county s adult population have received both vaccinations as of Thursday, county health data showed. The railroad teamed up with the Fremont County Department of Public Health & Environment to encourage more of the county s residents to get vaccinated.
“Fremont County folks have a fierce independent streak and we absolutely share that on a personal and business level,” Mark Greksa, owner of the Royal Gorge Route Railroad and Royal Gorge Mansion, said in a news release. “To regain control of our economic future, we must keep businesses open and people healthy this means we need to do our part and get vaccinated.”