La Plata County has become a refuge for people fleeing COVID-19 in Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona and other states. Hundreds are living here and in other Southwest Colorado counties, but are not becoming Colorado residents. They avoid Colorado income tax and vehicle registration and fees and utilize tax-supported COVID-19 health services. Vaccines are allocated by state and then by county population, so nonresidents will create demand not considered in the vaccine allocation formula.
People should get their COVID-19 vaccine shots in states where they are residents. It is not a matter of discrimination, but rather fairness to Colorado taxpayers for limited vaccine supplies. I would like the state and county to consider rules that give ID-verified residents priority for vaccine shots.
George Hepner
La Plata County
