New Leader for Colorado Chains With Most COVID-19 Outbreaks

Colorado has a new leader in the contest for the state’s most ignominious honor: the national chain with the most outbreaks of COVID-19. Kroger, the grocery giant whose affiliates here operate under the King Soopers and City Market nameplates, has been surpassed by Walmart, with a stunning eleven new Colorado outbreaks in a little over a month.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment considers an entity an outbreak after two or more COVID-19 cases among residents, staffers or other people connected to a specific location are confirmed within a fourteen-day period, or two or more cases of respiratory illness with an onset of symptoms within a fourteen-day period are paired with at least one additional COVID-19 diagnosis. The vast majority of businesses and facilities identified as outbreaks remain open, while working with the department to monitor symptoms and prevent future infections.

Westword first listed the major chains with the most outbreaks on November 10. In a December 8 update, Kroger markets led the roster with 25 outbreaks under active investigation or considered resolved. By the time the CDPHE released its January 13 report, that total had climbed to thirty, including a third outbreak in the bakery at 60 Yuma Street in Denver, which has now tallied close to fifty positive cases and one employee.

On December 8, Walmart was in the second slot, with 21 outbreaks. As of January 13, it’s registered 32, putting it at the top of the list.

To make the top ten, a chain must have had at least four outbreaks. That eliminates Sam’s Club, Walgreens and American Furniture Warehouse, which have each registered three. Also off the hook is In-N-Out Burger, but only because it has just two outlets in Colorado. As of January 13, the Aurora eatery had suffered 74 infections; the Colorado Springs locale is up to 94.

Many other stores have suffered equally major outbreaks. A Costo in Douglas County has 51 COVID-19 cases; an  Adams County Home Depot racked up 91 positive staffers.

Here’s our updated list of the ten national chains with the most outbreaks in Colorado; it includes outbreak dates, county locations, current case totals, status (active or resolved), and changes since early December.

10 (tie). Lowe’s
4 outbreaks, first appearance on list

Lowe’s #0318, Active, Retailer, Pueblo County, 12/22/2020, 20 staff cases
Lowe’s, Resolved 6/9/2020, Retailer, Summit County, 5/16.2020, 3 staff cases
Lowe’s #2568, Resolved 12/19/2020, Retailer, Larimer County, 11/16/2020, 6 staff cases
Lowe’s #3206, Resolved 12/23/2020, Retailer, Summit County, 11/19/2020, 4 staff cases

10 (tie). Taco Bell
4 outbreaks, unchanged since December 8

Taco Bell, Resolved 8/28/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Pueblo County, 8/4/2020, 6 staff cases
Taco Bell, Resolved 11/17/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Boulder County, 10/13/2020, 3 staff cases
Taco Bell #36116, Resolved 12/16/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Larimer County, 11/30/2020, 5 staff cases
Taco Bell Elizabeth St., Resolved, 8/26/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Pueblo County, 8/4/2020, 4 staff cases

9 (tie). Starbucks
5 outbreaks, first appearance on list

Starbucks (Breckenridge), Active, Restaurant, Fast Food, Summit County, 1/7/2021, 3 staff cases
Starbucks Frisco, Active, Restaurant, Fast Food, Summit County, 12/20/2020, 3 staff cases
Starbucks, Resolved 8/16/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, 7/23/2020, 4 staff cases
Starbucks, Resolved 10/27/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Boulder, 10/6/2020, 2 staff cases
Starbucks, Resolved 12/8/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Eagle County, 11/7/2020, 2 staff cases

9 (tie). Wendy’s
5 outbreaks, unchanged since December 8

Wendy’s, Active, Restaurant, Fast Food, Denver County, 11/18/2020, 7 staff cases
Wendy’s, Resolved 9/6/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Logan County, 8/12/2020, 3 staff cases
Wendy’s, Resolved 10/29/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Larimer County, 10/12/2020, 3 staff cases
Wendy’s 11595: July 2020, Resolved 8/11/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Douglas County, 7/28/2020, 2 staff cases
Wendy’s 11595: October 2020, Resolved 12/2/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Douglas County, 10/29/2020, 2 staff cases

9 (tie). Hobby Lobby
5 outbreaks, first appearance on list

Hobby Lobby Stores Pueblo, Active, Retailer, Pueblo County, 12/3/2020, 7 staff cases
Hobby Lobby Colorado Springs, Active, Retailer, El Paso County, 12/2/2020, 2 staff cases
Hobby Lobby, Resolved 12/10/2020, Retailer, Larimer County, 12/9/2020, 4 staff cases
Hobby Lobby Johnstown: December 2020, Resolved 1/2/2021, Retailer, Larimer County, 12/10/2020, 4 staff cases
Hobby Lobby Johnstown: July 2020, Resolved 7/29/2020, Retailer, Larimer County, 7/21/2020, 2 staff cases

9 (tie). Trader Joe’s
5 outbreaks, first appearance on list

Trader Joe’s #304, Active, Grocery Store, Larimer County, 12/2/2020, 7 staff cases
Trader Joe’s #305: November 2020, Active, Grocery Store, El Paso County, 11/6/2020, 18 staff cases
Trader Joe’s #302, Resolved 12/21/2020, Grocery Store, Denver County, 11/20/2020, 4 staff cases
Trader Joe’s #306, Resolved 1/5/2021, Grocery Store, Jefferson, 11/10/2020, 3 staff cases
Trader Joe’s (Colorado Springs) (October 2020) Resolved 11/8/2020, Grocery Store, El Paso County, 10/6/2020, 5 staff cases

8. Whole Foods
7 outbreaks, up 1 from December 8

Whole Foods Tamarac: October 2020, Active, Grocery Store, Denver, 10/21/2020, 15 staff cases
Whole Foods Market Pearl Street, Active, Grocery Store, Boulder County, 11/23/2020, 26 staff cases
Whole Foods Market Cherry Creek, Active, Grocery Store, Denver County, 11/2/2020, 19 staff cases
Whole Foods Tamarac: September 2020, Resolved 9/18/2020, Grocery Store, Denver County, 9/1/2020, 5 staff cases
Whole Foods Market Belmar, Resolved 12/29/2020, Grocery Store, Jefferson County, 10/26/2020, 19 staff cases
Whole Foods Market: Washington Park, Resolved 1/8/2021, Grocery Store, Denver County, 11/13/2020, 5 staff cases
Whole Foods Southglenn, Resolved 12/31/2020, Grocery Store, Arapahoe County, 11/18/2020, 14 staff cases

7. Costco
9 outbreaks, up 3 from December 8

Costco #1178, Active, Retailer, Larimer County, 11/19/2020, 20 staff cases
Costco #443, Active, Grocery Store, Denver County, 12/11/2020, 8 staff cases
Costco #650, Active, Retailer, Denver County, 12/16/2020, 2 staff cases
Costco Wholesale #1014, Active, Grocery Store, El Paso County, 11/21/2020, 37 staff cases
Costco Wholesale #1022, Active, Grocery Store, Douglas County, 10/26/2020, 51 staff cases
Costco Wholesale #1030, Active, Grocery Store, El Paso County, 11/12/2020, 30 staff cases
Costco Wholesale #440, Active, Grocery Store, Jefferson County, 10/2/2020, 35 staff cases
Costco Wholesale #676, Active, Retailer, Jefferson County, 10/29/2020, 27 staff cases
Costco Wholesale #439, Resolved 6/16/2020, Grocery Store, Arapahoe County, 5/7/2020, 11 staff cases

6. Chick-fil-A
10 outbreaks, unchanged since December 8

Chick-fil-A Belleview Shores, Active, Restaurant, Fast Food, Jefferson County, 11/12/2020, 7 staff cases
Chick-fil-A #01911, Resolved 8/25/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Adams County, 7/9./2020, 15 staff cases
Chick-fil-A #1110, Resolved 7/14/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Jefferson County, 6/17/2020, 4 staff cases
Chick-fil-A #2721, Resolved 8/4/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Jefferson County, 7/8/2020, 2 staff cases
Chick-fil-A Park Meadows on County Line Rd., Resolved 12/2/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Douglas County, 11/18/2020, 7 staff cases
Chick-fil-A 01304: June 2020, Resolved 8/25/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Arapahoe County, 6/2/2020, 9 staff cases
Chick-fil-A 01304: September 2020, Resolved 9/30/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Arapahoe County, 8/28/2020, 5 staff cases
Chick-fil-A 104th & Federal, Resolved 6/29/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Adams County, 5/12/2020, 5 staff cases
Chick-fil-A Flatiron, Resolved 12/1/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Broomfield County, 10/27/2020, 13 staff cases
Chick-fil-A Fort Collins, Resolved 6/23/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Larimer County, 5/15/2020, 14 staff cases

5. McDonald’s
11 outbreaks, up 2 since December 8

McDonald’s, Active, Restaurant, Fast Food, Larimer County, 12/23/2020, 6 staff cases
McDonald’s, Resolved 7/27/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, El Paso County, 5/18/2020, 8 staff cases
McDonald’s, Resolved 8/19/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Denver County, 8/4/2020, 5 staff cases
McDonald’s, Resolved 12/1/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Adams County, 10/21/2020, 6 staff cases
McDonald’s, Resolved 1/10/2021, Restaurant, Fast Food, El Paso County, 11/13/2020, 5 staff cases
McDonald’s #17465, Resolved 8/23/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Kit Carson County, 7/26/2020, 2 staff cases
McDonald’s (5765 Constitution Ave), Resolved 10/6/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, El Paso County, 9/4/2020, 9 staff cases
McDonald’s Vail, Resolved 12/15/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Eagle County, 11/17/2020, 2 staff cases
McDonald’s Silverthorne, Resolved 1/7/2021, Restaurant, Fast Food, Summit County, 12/4/2020, 5 staff cases
McDonald’s, Resolved 7/30/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Prowers County, 6/30/2020, 7 staff cases
McDonald’s, Resolved 11/17/2020, Restaurant, Fast Food, Denver County, 10/27/2020, 4 staff cases

4. Target
12 outbreaks, up 1 since December 8

Target Greeley, Active, Retailer, Weld County, 11/30/2020, 14 staff cases
Target Distribution Center: October 2020, Active, Distribution Center/Business, Pueblo County, 57 staff cases
Target SE Aurora, Active, Retailer, Arapahoe County, 10/28/2020, 31 staff cases
Target Arvada South, Active, Retailer, Jefferson County, 11/17/2020, 20 staff cases
Target Colorado Springs NE, Active, Retailer, El Paso County, 11/28/2020, 12 staff cases
Target Edgewater, Active, Retailer, Jefferson County, 11/3/2020, 15 staff cases
Target Glendale, Active, Retailer, Arapahoe County, 11/3/2020, 24 staff cases
Target- Northfield Blvd, Active, Grocery Store, Denver County, 11/11/2020, 9 staff cases
Target Thornton, Active, Retailer, Adams County, 11/17/2020, 43 staff cases
Target, Resolved 10/8/2020, Retailer, Summit County, 9/15/2020, 3 staff cases
Target #2717, Resolved 1/7/2021, Retailer, Jefferson County, 12/14/2020, 3 staff cases
Target Distribution Warehouse: July 2020, Resolved 9/17/2020, Distribution Center/Business, Pueblo County, 7/16/2020, 10 staff cases

3. The Home Depot
20 outbreaks, up 6 since December 8

The Home Depot #1501, Active, Retailer, Arapahoe County, 10/20/2020, 34 staff cases
The Home Depot #1503, Active, Retailer, Adams County, 8/10/2020, 91 staff cases
The Home Depot #1509, Active, Retailer, Arapahoe County, 5/14/2020, 46 staff cases
The Home Depot #1512: December 2020, Active, Retailer, Larimer County, 11/25/2020, 9 staff cases
The Home Depot #1529, Active, Retailer, Larimer County, 10/31/2020, 15 staff cases
The Home Depot #1544: November 2020, Active, Retailer, Larimer County, 11/10/2020, 9 staff cases
The Home Depot #1502, Resolved 12/29/2020, Retailer, Jefferson County, 11/16/2020, 6 staff cases
The Home Depot #1511, Resolved 1/5/2021, Retailer, Pueblo County, 11/30/2020, 21 staff cases
The Home Depot #1512: September 2020, Resolved 9/25/2020, Retailer, Larimer County, 9/8/2020, 2 staff cases
The Home Depot #1514, Resolved 12/29/2020, Retailer, Jefferson County, 11/9/2020, 6 staff cases
The Home Depot #1517, Resolved 1/5/2021, Retailer, Jefferson County, 12/7/2020, 4 staff cases
The Home Depot #1520, Resolved 1/13/2021, Retailer, Denver County, 10/22/2020, 14 staff cases
The Home Depot #1522, Resolved 12/25/2020, Retailer, Jefferson County, 10/27/2020, 6 staff cases
The Home Depot #1525, Resolved 8/31/2020, Retailer, Eagle County, 8/19/2020, 4 staff cases
The Home Depot #1526, Resolved 7/7/2020, Retailer, Arapahoe County, 5/19/2020, 8 staff cases
The Home Depot #1534, Resolved 12/31/2020, Retailer, La Plata County, 11/16/2020, 10 staff cases
The Home Depot #1535 Resolved 12/21/2020 Retailer Jefferson 11/4/2020 3 3 0
The Home Depot #1544: August 2020, Resolved 9/11/2020, Larimer County, 8/24/2020, 2 staff cases
The Home Depot #1549, Resolved 12/21/2020, Retailer, Jefferson County, 11/10/2020, 7 staff cases
The Home Depot #1550, Resolved 12/21/2020, Retailer, Jefferson County, 10/26/2020, 8 staff cases

2. King Soopers/City Market
30 outbreaks, up 5 since December 8

King Soopers #113, Active, Grocery Store, El Paso County, 11/5/2020, 17 staff cases
King Soopers #114, Active, Grocery Store, Adams County, 6/20/2020, 71 staff cases
King Soopers #117, Active, Grocery Store, Weld County, 12/4/2020, 30 staff cases
King Soopers #12, Active, Grocery Store, Pueblo County, 11/30/2020, 9 staff cases
King Soopers #127: November 2020, Active, Grocery Store, Jefferson County, 11/9/2020, 2 staff cases
King Soopers #36, Active, Grocery Store, Jefferson County, 10/28/2020, 6 staff cases
King Soopers #41, Active, Grocery Store, Jefferson County, 11/23/2020, 12 staff cases
King Soopers #7, Active, Grocery Store, Denver County, 11/20/2020, 18 staff cases
King Soopers #92, Active, Grocery Store, Adams County, 11/9/2020, 17 staff cases
King Soopers #1, Active, Grocery Store, Denver County, 10/6/2020, 4 staff cases
King Soopers Bakery: November 2020, Active, Bakery, Denver County, 11/17/2020, 18 staff cases
City Market #408, Active, Grocery Store, Montezuma County, 1/4/2020, 2 staff cases
City Market Store #441, Active, Grocery Store, Garfield County, 11/22/2020, 12 staff cases
City Market Canon City, Active, Grocery Store, Fremont County, 11/7/2020, 11 staff cases
City Market Woodland Park, Active, Grocery Store, Teller County, 11/16/2020, 5 staff cases
King Soopers #127: June 2020, Resolved 7/14/2020, Grocery Store, Jefferson County, 6/15/2020, 3 staff cases
King Soopers #19, Resolved 6/18/2020, Grocery Store, Denver County, 5/28/2020, 3 staff cases
King Soopers #25, Resolved 6/9/2020, Grocery Store, Jefferson County, 5/18/2020, 4 staff cases
King Soopers #29, Resolved 6/25/2020, Grocery Store, Denver County, 5/12/2020, 13 staff cases, 2 staff deaths
King Soopers #40, Resolved 11/5/2020, Grocery Store, Jefferson County, 10/28/2020, 2 staff cases
King Soopers #47, Resolved 1/10/2021, Grocery Store, Douglas County, 11/13/2020, 11 staff cases
King Soopers #78, Resolved 6/9/2020, Grocery Store, Jefferson County, 5/18/2020, 4 staff cases
King Soopers #90, Resolved 10/15/2020, Grocery Store, Jefferson County, 10/2/2020, 2 staff cases
King Soopers Bakery: April 2020, Resolved 5/27/2020, Bakery, Denver County, 34 staff cases, 1 staff death
King Soopers Bakery: October 2020, Resolved 11/13/2020, Baker, Denver County, 10/14/2020, 2 staff cases
City Market Carbondale, Resolved 1/11/2021, Grocery Store, Garfield County, 11/27/2020, 6 staff cases
City Market North Durango, Resolved 1/2/2021, Grocery Store, La Plata County, 11/25/2020, 5 staff cases
City Market Store #433 El Jebel, Resolved 7/14/2020, Grocery Store, Eagle County, 6/8/2020, 12 staff cases
City Market Store #434 Eagle, Resolved 7/14/2020, Grocery Store, Eagle County, 6/8/2020, 4 staff cases
City Market Breckenridge, Resolved 6/9/2020, Grocery Store, Summit County, 4/28/2020, 19 staff cases

1. Walmart
32 outbreaks, up 11 since December 8

Walmart #1434, Active, Retailer, El Paso County, 11/23/2020, 6 staff cases, 1 staff death
Walmart #1896, Active, Retailer, El Paso County, 12/2/2020, 3 staff cases
Walmart #1001, Active, Retailer, Pueblo County, 11/25/2020, 35 staff cases
Walmart #1008, Active, Retailer, Larimer County, 12/1/2020, 13 staff cases
Walmart #1200, Active, Retailer, El Paso County, 9/30/2020, 27 staff cases
Walmart #1273, Active, Retailer, El Paso County, 12/2/2020, 15 staff cases
Walmart #1808, Active, Retailer, Routt County, 12/1/2020, 9 staff cases
Walmart #2672, Active, Retailer, Prowers County, 11/19/2020, 12 staff cases
Walmart #2729, Active, Retailer, Larimer County, 12/3/2020, 11 staff cases
Walmart #3533, Active, Retailer, Denver County, 11/20/2020, 9 staff cases
Walmart #3740, Active, Retailer, Arapahoe County, 12/1/2020, 10 staff cases
Walmart #3805, Active, Retailer, Teller County, 12/1/2020, 19 staff cases
Walmart #4335, Active, Retailer, El Paso County, 12/2/2020, 6 staff cases
Walmart #4599, Active, Retailer, Larimer County, 11/2/2020, 25 staff cases
Walmart #5676, Active, Grocery Store, Denver County, 12/1/2020, 11 staff cases
Walmart #842, Active, Retailer, Pueblo County, 12/8/2020, 15 staff cases
Walmart #869, Active, Retailer, Alamosa County, 11/5/2020, 9 staff cases
Walmart #921, Active, Retailer, Chaffee County, 1/11/2021, 3 staff cases
Walmart #966, Active, Retailer, Montezuma, 11/30/2020, 3 staff cases
Walmart Distribution Center: November 2020, Active, Distribution Center/Business, 10/13/2020, 96 staff cases
Walmart #1199, Resolved 8/18/2020, Retailer, Eagle County, 6/24/2020, 11 staff cases
Walmart #1199, Resolved 11/29/2020, Retailer, Eagle County, 11/3/2020, 3 staff cases
Walmart #1492, Resolved 6/9/2020, Retailer, Arapahoe County, 4/22/2020, 18 staff cases, 2 staff deaths
Walmart #2270, Resolved 1/7/2021, Retailer, La Plata County, 12/17/2020, 6 staff cases
Walmart #2729, Resolved 8/31/2020, Retailer, Larimer County, 8/3/2020, 4 staff cases
Walmart #3018, Resolved 1/12/2021,Retailer, El Paso County, 11/12/2020, 13 staff cases
Walmart #3177, Resolved 9/15/2020, Retailer, Larimer County, 7/21/2020, 5 staff cases
Walmart #3177: November 2020, Resolved 1/3/2021, Retailer, Larimer County, 12/10/2020, 5 staff cases
Walmart #3227 Resolved 1/12/2021 Retailer El Paso 11/12/2020 6 6 0
Walmart #3582: May 2020, Resolved 11/23/2020, Retailer, El Paso County, 5/18/2020, 24 staff cases
Walmart #3582: November 2020, Resolved 1/12/2021, Retailer, El Paso County, 11/12/2020, 14 staff cases
Walmart Distribution Center: May 2020, Resolved 6/19/2020, Distribution Center/Business, Larimer County, 5/15/2020, 33 staff cases
Walmart Pharmacy, Resolved 10/12/2020, Healthcare, Outpatient Pharmacy, Delta County, 9/18/2020, 2 staff cases