News & Media

Press Release: Lt. Governor Primavera Welcomes First Lady Jill Biden to Colorado, Discusses Colorado’s Leadership on Increasing Health Care Access and Reducing Costs

April 20, 2024

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera participated in a roundtable discussion on the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research

AURORA - Today, Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, Director of the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care, and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden joined community members and medical professionals at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus to discuss the importance of healthcare quality, access, and cost for all Coloradans, Colorado’s impressive research and academic community, as well as the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research.

“I’m proud to welcome First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden to Colorado to discuss Colorado’s incredible research ecosystem, as well as our nation-leading work to save Coloradans money on their health care and increase access so that every person in our state can get the quality care they need and deserve. As an individual who has been diagnosed with cancer on four occasions, I know what it’s like to wonder if I would get the care I need to see my daughters grow up, and that’s why today’s conversation on women’s health was so important,” said Lt. Governor and Director of the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care Dianne Primavera.

Colorado is the proud home to a number of research facilities doing groundbreaking work to help more Coloradans and people around the world get the care they need. Lt. Governor Primavera is part of the CU Cancer Center's Community Advisory Council, which among other priorities, is focused on creating more equitable access to clinical trials for Coloradans.

Ensuring all Coloradans have access to affordable, quality healthcare is a top priority for the Polis-Primavera administration. As an individual who has been diagnosed with cancer and a patient advocate, Lt. Governor Primavera leads the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care and continues working alongside Governor Polis to reduce healthcare costs. Since 2019, the Polis-Primavera administration has passed the historic Colorado Option, which is saving Coloradans thousands of dollars on their coverage, passed the bipartisan reinsurance initiative, created the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, increased hospital transparency, addressed surprise billing and capped the cost of insulin.

Colorado also created the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise, which saves Coloradans money on their health insurance, and the Social Health Information Exchange, a network where providers could provide better, whole-person care with secure, easy access to physical, behavioral, and social health information.

Press Release: Lt. Governor Primavera Announces New Tool to Assist Blind and Low-Vision Coloradans Navigate State Locations and Digital Services

February 23, 2023

DENVER - Today, Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera announced the Polis-Primavera administration is now offering a digital tool to help people access state services in real time. Aira provides Coloradans who are blind or have low vision access to live visual interpreters at no cost for up to 30 minutes per session when navigating state-operated locations and digital services. The goal of this program is to allow Coloradans to more easily access government services independently.

“Creating a Colorado for all means ensuring everyone can access essential services comfortably and independently,” said Lt. Gov. Primavera. “We’re on a mission at the state to deliver innovative, flexible options so all Coloradans can confidently take advantage of the state’s programs and benefits.”

Aira is a live, human-to-human service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Using the camera on a smartphone or computer, secure live video is streamed to a professionally-trained agent who visually interprets what is shared. Watch Lt. Gov. Primavera explain how Aira can help Coloradans access state services in this video.

“In the State of Colorado, we are driven every day to make government easy, as laid out in our Digital Government Strategic Plan,” said Anthony Neal-Graves, Chief Information Officer and Executive Director at the Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT). “The Aira service is another step forward in reducing barriers to state services through digital solutions, which brings us closer to creating a truly equitable, inclusive customer experience for all Coloradans.”

The new offering is an extension of the state’s efforts to be fully welcoming and accessible to all. Coloradans will be able to get assistance navigating locations and interpreting otherwise inaccessible documentation through free calls with Aira agents up to 30 minutes per session at locations such as DMV centers, state parks, colleges and state workforce centers.

“I have used Aira for six years, both in my personal life and as a state employee,” said Theresa Montano, Senior Accessibility Solutions Architect at OIT. “With the help of their agents, I have been able to deliver strategy plans and review project plans and progress charts that once were impossible without the help of a sighted teammate. Knowing Aira is always available has relieved stress in completing my work and has been invaluable since we began working remotely. I am thrilled that we will be able to help blind and low-vision Coloradans gain that same sense of relief when they interact with the state, knowing Aira is always there.”

Learn more about how to access and use Aira at oit.colorado.gov/accessibility/aira. Download the app from your mobile device via the Apple Store or Google Play or let your friends and family know about this service. 

Media interviews are available upon request. Please contact Brandi Simmons at brandi.simmons@state.co.us.