Denver's vaccine mandate for workers lifts after dozens of firings

Denver will end its vaccine mandate for city employees March 4 as COVID case rates are in freefall.

Why it matters: The requirement, which went into effect last fall, was largely effective and will have lasting impacts.

By the numbers: Two dozen Denver workers lost their jobs because they refused to comply with the vaccine mandate, according to city data provided to Axios Denver.

• The dismissals touched 12 departments — primarily the city's police and transportation agencies — along with the city attorney's office, airport and library.
• More than 500 city employees received religious or medical exemptions, 54% of them in the police, fire and sheriff departments, an Axios Denver analysis finds.

The bottom line: Any city employee fired for violating the vaccine mandate won't be eligible for rehire for five years, Denver health department spokesperson Courtney Ronner tells Axios.

This story first appeared in the Axios Denver newsletter, designed to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news unfolding in their own backyard. Subscribe here.