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STD Testing in Howard, CO: Free, Same-Day & Confidential

Gonorrhea cases in Fremont County are about 87% lower than the national average. If you're in Howard, Colorado, and need an STI test whether it's your first test or a routine screening, you have choices between community and public clinics and private labs. Clinics are often low-cost or free, while private labs tend to offer faster results and more flexible scheduling. See your options below.

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  • Clinics, labs & at-home kits compared
  • Free & low-cost options included
  • Backed by CDC, CMS & Census data
  • Editorially reviewed

Available testing centers

STD testing near Howard, CO

3 testing options are listed for Howard, CO. The nearest, Chaffee County Public Health, is about 11.7 miles away. Compare community and public clinics, private labs, and at-home kits below.

Closest to you 11.7 miles

Chaffee County Public Health

Where these reviews come from

Review sources

  • Google3
  • EasySTD1
Rated 3.7 out of 5 from 4 reviews

Chaffee County Public Health, Salida's county health department, delivers STI testing through the same public infrastructure built for community-wide disease response: meaning appointments cover syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, rapid HIV, and hepatitis C, with same-visit treatment for bacterial infections, all at no cost.

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Testing, Treatment, Vaccines. Zero Balance

Skipping a test because the bill is uncertain, or leaving an infection unaddressed because follow-up feels unaffordable. Those are the gaps Chaffee County Public Health closes. Every service on the menu, from the initial test to mpox and hepatitis vaccines, carries no charge.

Hepatitis C Joins the Standard Panel Here

Plenty of STI clinics cap their testing at the bacterial quartet plus HIV, leaving hepatitis C to be handled elsewhere. Chaffee County Public Health runs hepatitis C testing alongside syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and rapid HIV. One appointment covers all five.

Address
448 East 1st Street, Salida, CO 81201
Booking
Appointment required
Opening hours
  • Monday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Website
Highest rated 11.8 miles

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains

Where these reviews come from

Review sources

  • Google10
  • EasySTD1
Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 11 reviews

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains in Salida runs on a sliding-scale fee with Medicaid and private insurance accepted, covering gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, rapid and conventional HIV, and hepatitis A, B, and C. Walk-ins welcome, bacterial infections treated the same visit.

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PrEP and PEP Prescribed and Monitored On-Site

PrEP at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains means an ongoing clinical relationship: the provider writes the prescription, schedules the required follow-up labs, HIV and kidney function every three months, and adjusts the regimen as needed. PEP is similarly staffed and dispensed here, not coordinated through an outside provider.

Family Planning and STI Care Without a Second Appointment

Without Title X on-site, a minor navigating both STI care and family planning often faces a split across two providers. Different billing, different records, different conversations. At Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains in Salida, Title X funds both services together, and confidentiality protections for minors are legally guaranteed under federal law.

Direct Care in American Sign Language

Most STI clinics that flag language access rely on a remote setup, a screen or a phone held between patient and provider. Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains in Salida offers American Sign Language directly, alongside interpretation services for non-English languages, so the clinical conversation doesn't pass through an intermediary.

Tests & treats Title X PrEP
Address
248 East 1st Street, Salida, CO 81201
Opening hours
  • Monday Closed
  • Tuesday Closed
  • Wednesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Website
Premium Partner

Labcorp

Most reviewed Results in 1–2 days
Where these reviews come from

Review sources

  • Google49
  • EasySTD5
Rated 2.6 out of 5 from 54 reviews
Address
1338 Phay Avenue, Canon City, CO 81212 33.3 miles away
Opening hours
  • Monday 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Tuesday 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Wednesday 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Thursday 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Friday 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
  • Syphilis
  • Herpes
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Rapid HIV
  • Conventional HIV
See tests & prices

Today's offer: $10 off any test panel, applied automatically at checkout.

Free tool · not a clinic

When can I test? Exposure-window calculator

Testing too soon can miss an infection. Enter the date of possible exposure to see the earliest a test can reliably detect each STI.

Detection windows for every STI
Infection Earliest reliable test Conclusive after
Chlamydia 7 days after exposure 14 days after exposure
Gonorrhea 7 days after exposure 14 days after exposure
Trichomoniasis 7 days after exposure 28 days after exposure
HIV (NAT / RNA) 10 days after exposure 33 days after exposure
HIV (4th-gen Ag/Ab) 18 days after exposure 45 days after exposure
HIV (antibody) 21 days after exposure 84 days after exposure
Syphilis 21 days after exposure 42 days after exposure
Hepatitis B 21 days after exposure 42 days after exposure
Hepatitis C 56 days after exposure 77 days after exposure
Herpes (HSV) 28 days after exposure 112 days after exposure

Guidance only, confirm timing with a clinician. A negative result before the conclusive date may need a repeat test.

Find your match in 10 seconds

What matters most to you?

What will it cost? Estimate your STD test

Typical out-of-pocket ranges by option, actual cost depends on which tests you need.

  • Public / community clinic

    Free HIV testing is common

    $0–$25

  • Private lab (self-pay)

    Never billed to insurance

    $24–$200

  • At-home kit

    Mailed to your door, private

    From $49

  • Doctor / urgent care

    Often $0 preventive with insurance

    $0–$50 copay

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Every other option

More ways to get tested in Howard, CO

Beyond the dedicated testing centers above: at-home kits by mail, hospital labs certified for STI testing, local clinicians who can order a panel during a regular visit, pharmacies for self-test kits and prescriptions, and online PrEP & treatment.

Test from home

At-home STD testing in Howard, CO

The nearest testing center is about 12 miles away; if you'd rather skip the trip, an at-home kit ships to Howard, you collect the sample privately, and mail it back to a CLIA-certified lab. Results come online in days, with a clinician available if anything is positive. Same labs as a clinic, no waiting room, and you can read how accurate at-home STD tests are before you order.

Want a free option first? The CDC-supported TakeMeHome (opens in a new tab) program mails free at-home HIV self-test kits, and, in many areas, free STI kits, to your door, with no insurance or payment needed. The paid kits below add broader panels and faster turnaround.

Every kit uses CLIA-certified labs. At-home testing is for screening; a reactive result should be confirmed and treated by a clinician. Prices and panels shown are illustrative and change often, confirm current details on the provider's site.

Local clinicians

Clinicians near Howard, CO who may help arrange STD testing

Beyond dedicated clinics, 20 primary-care, OB-GYN, infectious-disease and other clinicians have a CMS practice record within 30 miles of Howard. They may be able to evaluate symptoms or order a confidential STD panel during a regular visit, and 1 offer telehealth.

These are registry-listed clinicians, not dedicated STD-testing clinics. CMS records do not independently verify current licensure, testing services, availability, price, or new-patient status. Confirm each detail before booking. Source: CMS Doctors & Clinicians.

Nearby pharmacies

Pharmacies near Howard, CO

No pharmacy near Howard, CO publishes an STD-related service or holds a current CLIA testing certificate, so these are simply the closest. Contact a location directly to confirm counter hours, services, prices, and availability before visiting.

  • Salida Pharmacy & Fountain

    12 mi
    Rx pickupCondoms / EC
    Directions

  • Lallier Pharmacy

    12 mi
    Rx pickupCondoms / EC
    Directions
  • Albertsons/Safeway 12 mi
    Rx pickupHPV & Hep B vaccinesCondoms / EC
    Directions
  • Walmart Pharmacy 13 mi
    Rx pickupAt-home STI kitsHPV & Hep B vaccinesCondoms / EC
    Directions

  • Hrrmc Pharmacy

    13 mi
    Rx pickupCondoms / EC
    Directions

Showing the 5 closest pharmacies to Howard, CO.

Directory records identify nearby pharmacies. Service, stock, price, and hours information is shown only when supported by current location-specific evidence.

Prevention & treatment

PrEP, prevention & online treatment

Testing is one step. For residents of Howard, telehealth covers the rest: HIV-prevention medication (PrEP) and DoxyPEP to lower future risk, and discreet online treatment if a result comes back positive. All prescribed by licensed U.S. clinicians.

Pricing varies by insurance and changes often, confirm on the provider's site. These services are not a substitute for emergency care.

STD stats & rates

STDs & HIV in Fremont County: the local picture

How reported STI rates in Fremont County, the county that includes Howard, compare with Colorado and U.S. averages, based on the most recent 2023 surveillance data. An estimated ~26% of residents are aged 15–34 (ACS), the age group with the highest reported chlamydia and gonorrhea rates nationally.

#35 of 64 Colorado counties for chlamydia, a higher rate than 45% of the state

Reported STD rates per 100,000, Fremont County vs Colorado vs U.S.

Fremont County Colorado U.S. ▲▼ = Fremont County vs the state average
Infection Fremont County Colorado United States
Chlamydia
230.5 116 cases ▼ 47%
435.1 492.2
Gonorrhea
23.8 12 cases ▼ 82%
128.7 179.5
Syphilis (P&S) — no data 16 15.8
Syphilis (early)
7.9 4 cases ▼ 24%
10.4 16
Syphilis (late/unknown)
69.6 35 cases ▲ 145%
28.4 29.5

Rates per 100,000 population, 2023. Source: CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus (county, state & U.S., all-ages basis). Population figures: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. These figures are the latest available surveillance estimates. Bars are scaled to the highest rate shown.

Reading these numbers: reported case rates only count infections that were actually tested for and diagnosed, so they track local screening effort as much as true spread: a higher rate can reflect more testing, a lower one less. Either way, most STIs cause no symptoms, so treat the figures above as context rather than a verdict, and test on the CDC's schedule regardless of how your area looks.

Reported STD rates in Fremont County over time (per 100,000)

Chlamydia ▲ 6% vs 2022
Chlamydia Gonorrhea Syphilis (P&S)
0 150 300 2020202120222023

Between 2020 and 2023 in Fremont County, chlamydia has fallen from 290.2 to 230.5 per 100,000 (21%), gonorrhea has fallen from 49 to 23.8 per 100,000 (51%), and P&S syphilis has risen from 2 to 10.1 per 100,000 (405%).

The 2020 dip reflects reduced pandemic-era screening, not lower transmission. Source: CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus (county, state & U.S., all-ages basis).

Community health context

What shapes testing access in and around Howard, CO

Adults uninsured
8.9%
No routine checkup
22.5%
Binge drinking
13.4%
Frequent mental distress
15.7%
Depression
23.9%
Below poverty line
4.9%
Primary-care ratio
2,159 : 1
Fremont County
  • Primary-care shortage score 17 / 26
  • Medically Underserved Area · IMU 55.1
  • Social Vulnerability Index · 67th percentile nationally

Sources: CDC PLACES (ZIP), County Health Rankings, CDC/ATSDR SVI, HRSA HPSA, HRSA MUA/P, Neighborhood Atlas ADI. Lower insurance coverage, fewer routine checkups, and a thin primary-care ratio all raise the value of low-cost public clinics and at-home testing in Fremont County.

Local HIV snapshot

HIV in Fremont County (2023)

People living with HIV
347 / 100k
PrEP users / 100k
45

Fremont County HIV care continuum (2023)

Among Fremont County residents living with HIV, 60.8% are in care · 56.9% are virally suppressed. Early, routine testing is what moves these numbers: it is the entry point to PrEP, treatment, and viral suppression.

Sources: AIDSVu (Emory/Gilead) · CDC AHEAD · CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus (county care continuum). The CDC recommends everyone aged 13–64 test for HIV at least once: every lab and clinic listed above offers HIV testing, and free rapid HIV testing is available at a local health department.

Pregnant or planning to be?

Congenital syphilis is the fastest-rising STI: what to test, and when

Congenital syphilis, passed from parent to baby in pregnancy, is the fastest-rising STI in the country. U.S. cases climbed from 2,163 in 2020 to 3,882 in 2023. It is almost entirely preventable: the CDC recommends a syphilis test at the first prenatal visit, and every clinic and lab listed for Fremont County tests for syphilis.

Source: CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus, 2023 (county-level congenital syphilis is not published).

Reviewed & Fact-Checked · Updated

Reviewed by EasySTD Editorial Team (opens in a new tab)

Compiled and checked by EasySTD's editorial team against CDC and public-health sources. This is educational information, not a substitute for advice from a licensed clinician. Our editorial guidelines → (opens in a new tab)

18 Sources

Local resources & officials

Data & references

Local context

About Howard, CO

US 50 winds through the heart of Howard, offering breathtaking views of Short Creek Baldy and Hamilton Baldy. Residents here often own their homes, with many having invested in this picturesque community. The cost of living can be steep, with renters facing significant monthly expenses.

The town's workforce is actively engaged, with a strong labor-force participation rate, and a notable share of households earning high incomes. Many adults in Howard are married, and the average household is relatively small. With a mix of outdoor recreation opportunities and a strong sense of community, life in Howard can be fulfilling. For young adults still forming relationships, having easy access to low-friction screening can make a big difference.

As people in their late teens and twenties navigate their lives, balancing work and personal relationships, they can find themselves with limited time for non-essential appointments. In a community like Howard, where households are often busy and family life is a priority, convenient screening options can help ensure that health stays on track. Fleming Mountain and Heyden Baldy provide a stunning backdrop to daily life, and for those who call Howard home, taking care of one's health is a natural part of enjoying all the area has to offer.

Getting there

How residents reach STD testing in Howard, CO

Walkability 5.58 / 20 · Least walkable

At 5.58/20 on the EPA walkability index, day-to-day errands in Howard generally mean driving: plan on a car or rideshare to reach a clinic, and check each listing's hours and phone before you go.

Source: EPA National Walkability Index 2021.

Map of 3 STD & STI testing locations in Howard, Colorado, EasySTD

ZIP 81233 snapshot

Residents
1,159
Median age
46.7
Median income
$57,664

ZIP-level Census figures for the wider 81233 area around Howard: a single ZIP can span several communities, so they describe the area, not Howard alone.

Howard sits in Fremont County, ZIP 81233. Local context that shapes where residents test:

Local landmarks

  • Short Creek Baldy
  • Hamilton Baldy
  • Heyden Baldy
  • Fleming Mountain

Major routes

  • US 50

Reference

STD testing in Howard, CO: screening, costs & privacy

Everything to know before you test in Fremont County: the CDC's screening guidelines, each infection's detection window, per-test reference prices, and your privacy rights under Colorado law. If you have symptoms right now, our confidential symptom checker maps them to the tests worth considering.

Who should test, and when

CDC screening schedule + each infection's detection window

Who should get tested, and how often

Based on current CDC screening recommendations.

GroupTestsHow often
Everyone aged 13–64 HIV At least once
Sexually active women under 25 Chlamydia, gonorrhea Every year
Women 25+ with new or multiple partners Chlamydia, gonorrhea Every year
Pregnant people HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B & C, chlamydia Early in pregnancy
Gay & bisexual men (MSM) Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV Every 3–6 months
Anyone who shares injection equipment HIV, hepatitis B & C At least yearly
All adults at least once Hepatitis C At least once

When to test: STD detection windows

Testing too early can return a false negative, confirm timing with a Howard-area provider.

InfectionEarliest reliable testSample
Chlamydia 1–2 weeks Urine or swab
Gonorrhea 1–2 weeks Urine or swab
Trichomoniasis 1–4 weeks Urine or swab
HIV (NAT / RNA) 10–33 days Blood
HIV (4th-gen Ag/Ab) 18–45 days Blood
HIV (antibody) 3–12 weeks Blood / oral
Syphilis 3–6 weeks Blood
Hepatitis B 3–6 weeks Blood
Hepatitis C 8–11 weeks Blood
Herpes (HSV) 4–16 weeks (antibody); swab a sore Blood / swab
Browse all STD & STI guides

What each STD test costs

Medicare reference prices per lab test, a benchmark before you pay out of pocket

These are the federal Medicare reference prices for processing each lab test. Public clinics and the community health centers serving Howard often test free or on a sliding scale; private labs and at-home kits bundle several tests into one fee. Use this as a per-test benchmark before you pay out of pocket, or see the full guide to STD test costs for insurance, free, and at-home options.

TestReference priceCPT / HCPCS
Chlamydia (NAAT) $47.80 87491
Gonorrhea (NAAT) $47.80 87591
Trichomoniasis (NAAT) $47.76 87661
HIV-1/2 antigen/antibody $26.87 87389
HIV-1/2 antibody $22.44 86703
Syphilis (RPR/VDRL) $5.61 86592
Syphilis (treponemal antibody) $17.49 86780
Herpes (HSV NAAT) $47.76 87529
Hepatitis B surface antigen $15.33 87340
Hepatitis C antibody $29.16 86803

Source: Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule, CMS, 2025 rates (data.cms.gov). Reference rate for the lab assay only: a clinic visit, sample collection, or a bundled multi-test panel may cost more. Medicaid and most insurers cover STD screening at no out-of-pocket cost.

Confidentiality & consent in Colorado

Minor consent and partner treatment (EPT) under state law, plus how to test privately

Two things that actually depend on Colorado law: who can consent, and whether partners can be treated without their own visit. Everything else about testing privately is the same nationwide (see below).

Can a minor consent on their own?

In Colorado, a minor of any age can consent to confidential STI testing and treatment on their own, no parental permission is required.

Can my partner be treated too? (EPT)

Colorado permits Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT): if you test positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea, your provider can give you medication (or a prescription) to pass to your partner, no separate exam or appointment needed for them.

Keeping a test private works the same in every state. Whether an STD test shows on insurance (the EOB), how to test anonymously, and self-pay options that leave no insurance trail don’t change by location.

Learn more about confidential STD testing in Colorado

Source: Guttmacher Institute, Minors' Access to STI Services; CDC, Legal Status of Expedited Partner Therapy. General information, not legal advice.

Good to Know

STD testing FAQs for Howard, CO

Answers to the questions people ask most before getting tested.

How many testing options are within 30 miles of Howard, CO?

2 testing options are within 30 miles of Howard, CO.

What does STD testing cost around Howard, CO?

Public clinics are free; private labs ~$24–$139, at-home kits $49+.

Can I get tested in Howard, CO without insurance?

Yes, community and public clinics test the uninsured.

Which tests are offered near Howard, CO?

Local options test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Rapid HIV, a full panel covers the common ones.

How common is chlamydia in Fremont County?

About 231 cases per 100,000 residents (2023), below the Colorado average.

Where do I get PrEP around Howard, CO?

PrEP (HIV-prevention medicine for HIV-negative people) is available locally, any provider can prescribe it.

Can someone under 18 get tested in Colorado without a parent?

In Colorado, people under 18 can consent to confidential STD testing and treatment on their own.

Can chlamydia have no symptoms?

Yes, most chlamydia infections cause no symptoms, so screening is the only reliable way to catch it.

Can I trust an at-home result?

Yes, from a reputable lab, confirm any positive with a clinician for treatment.

I tested positive, what are the next steps?

Start treatment, tell recent partners so they can test, avoid sex until cleared, and retest if advised, most STIs resolve with care.

Have a different question? Browse the full STD & STI FAQ library, every question we answer, in one place.