Occurrence Reporting

Quick overview (updated 8/2026)

Occurrence reports are required by Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S 25-1-124) for certain events that happen in licensed health care facilities within the State of Colorado. In addition, refer to Colorado Code of Regulations: 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 2 General Licensure Standards, Occurrence reporting. 

To enter a reportable occurrence event - licensed healthcare providers will utilize the COHFI system and select "occurrences." 

• Select Occurrence in the top menu bar

  • Two viewing options:

    • Occurrences (referred as the "big list") shows you all of the occurrences either started and/or submitted by your facility (Case ID, Type and Occurrence Date). 

    • Workbench organizes your active occurrence cases in folders. The folders are labeled according to the status of the case or identifies a case with a new message within the state system (Folders: New Messages, Initial Draft Reports, Pending for Final Report, State Review or Summary available for Review and Comment).

Occurrence reports are required for the following type of incidents: 

• Physical abuse

• Sexual abuse

• Verbal abuse

• Brain Injury

• Burns

• Deaths

• Diverted Drugs

• Equipment malfunction 

• Equipment misuse

• Life threatening anesthesia complications or reactions

• Life threatening transfusion reaction or error

• Misappropriation of property

• Missing person

• Neglect

• Spinal cord injury

The occurrence manual can be found on our public website: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/health-facilities/health-facility-reported-incidents

• Please review the Occurrence manual regarding reporting requirements, timelines and notification expectations. This system accepts both Occurrence related events and/or Facility Reported Incidents (FRIs: Federal reporting requirements involving alleged violations of abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of property for Nursing Facilities). 

• Police notification: While other reporting requirements may have changed, the occurrence statute continues to require police notification for all reportable abuse allegations. 

Please review and be familiar with the State of Colorado regulations and reporting requirements for licensed facilities: 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 2 General Licensure Standards, Occurrence reporting. In addition, review the individual chapter covering your regulation requirements. 

• Be familiar with the role of being a mandatory reporter in the state of Colorado for alleged abuse and neglect incidents (outside of Occurrence reporting).  

The COHFI system functions the best in a Google Chrome browser. If possible, use Google Chrome to submit occurrences. If that is not possible for your organization and you experience difficulty submitting an occurrence, please identify your browser type when communicating with CDPHE staff. 

• Print function: check the tracking/landing page of the event for the print button option. Summary reports can also be printed - print button is located in the summary tab.