This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Getting tested is a routine part of health care, and in Denver you do not need to pay a lot to do it. Several programs offer free testing, and one major clinic charges on a sliding scale based on ability to pay.

This guide walks you through the process in order. You will see which options exist, who they are for, what to bring and how to confirm details before you go. If you want a quick list of places first, the Denver testing list has it.

One note on timing. Clinic hours, walk-in days and eligibility rules change. Where a source does not publish something, this guide says so and tells you to ask the clinic directly.

What you will need

You do not need much. Gather these before you call or visit:

A phone. Most Denver options start with a call, a text or an online booking.
A photo ID, if you have one. Ask the clinic whether one is required. Policies differ, and not every program publishes this.
Insurance information, if you have it. Some clinics bill insurance. Others charge based on income or offer testing at no cost.
A list of your symptoms and dates, if you have any. Symptoms change which kind of visit you need.
A rough timeline of recent exposures. You do not need names. Dates and the type of contact help a clinician choose the right tests.
Any recent test results or medicines you take. This helps the clinician avoid repeating things.
A few questions written down. Visits can feel quick, and notes help.

Step 1: Decide which kind of visit fits your situation

Free testing in Denver falls into a few types. Knowing which one fits saves you a trip.

Testing only, with no symptoms

If you feel fine and want routine screening, a testing-only visit or a mobile outreach site may work. The Public Health Institute at Denver Health says its testing-only visits are limited to gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis C.

Symptoms or a known exposure

If you have symptoms, such as unusual discharge, sores, pain or itching, you need to see a clinician. The Public Health Institute at Denver Health states that patients with symptoms need a provider visit. Outreach testing sites do not provide physical exams or treatment.

A possible HIV exposure in the last few days

Post-exposure prophylaxis, called PEP, is a short course of HIV medicine that a clinician prescribes after a possible exposure. The Denver Sexual Health Clinic says to call as soon as possible if the exposure was in the past 72 hours. Do not wait for a routine appointment slot.

Mail-in or at-home testing

Some adults prefer to test privately at home. Denver Public Health runs a program for this, described in Option 6 below.

Step 2: Review every free and sliding-scale option in Denver

Here is each option, with what the sources say and what they leave out.

Option 1: Denver Sexual Health Clinic (sliding scale, by appointment)

The Denver Sexual Health Clinic is run by the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, also known as Denver Public Health. It offers STD testing, HIV testing, hepatitis C testing, PrEP, PEP and treatment.

Address: 660 N. Bannock St., Pavilion L, 2nd Floor, Denver, CO 80204.
Phone: 303-602-3540. The clinic labels this line "Call to Get Tested."
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The clinic is closed from 8 to 9 a.m. on the second Monday of each month.
Appointments: The Public Health Institute at Denver Health says appointments are required for all clinic visits. This is not a walk-in site.
Cost: Patients who are uninsured or out of network pay on a sliding fee scale of $0 to $70. The clinic says no one is denied care based on ability to pay.

The clinic also says it will meet with anyone who wants to start PrEP. Ongoing PrEP through the clinic depends on insurance status and the option chosen, and people who are not eligible receive navigator referrals. The clinic page does not state whether it offers doxy-PEP or the HPV vaccine, so ask when you call.

Details are on the Public Health Institute at Denver Health STD testing page.

Option 2: Denver Health community outreach testing (free, walk-in)

Denver Public Health also runs community-based sexual health testing at rotating locations across the Denver metro area. The health department describes it as free and confidential, with STD, HIV and hepatitis C testing offered in English and Spanish.

Where: No single street address is published. Call or text 720-415-7075 for current locations.
Walk-in: Yes, according to the program description.
Hours: The source does not publish hours. Ask when you call or text.
Limits: This service does not provide physical exams or treatment. People with symptoms or a known exposure should contact the Denver Sexual Health Clinic instead.

Option 3: HeyDenver, Colorado Health Network (free)

HeyDenver is a program of Colorado Health Network, a nonprofit HIV and STI program. It lists free testing, including chlamydia and gonorrhea testing from three body sites, rapid HIV testing and rapid syphilis testing. Hepatitis C testing is offered case by case. It also offers PrEP navigation.

Address: 822 E 19th Ave, Denver, CO 80218.
Phone: 303-962-2880.
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Walk-in days: The HeyDenver page lists walk-in testing on set days, and the date on the page has already passed. Colorado Health Network's own get-tested page lists this site as testing by appointment. Call before you go and confirm whether walk-in is available that day.
Cost: The English text of the HeyDenver page does not state a price. The Spanish heading calls the testing "gratuitas," meaning free. Confirm when you call.

PEP is not described on the HeyDenver page, so ask the staff if that is what you need.

Option 4: Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, Park Hill Health Center

The CDC's GetTested directory lists this health center for STD testing, HIV testing (including rapid HIV), hepatitis C testing, HPV vaccine and PrEP.

Address: 7155 E 38th Ave, Denver, CO 80207.
Phone: (303) 321-2458.
Insurance and cost: The directory says insurance and Medicaid are accepted and PrEP is available for people without insurance. It says to contact the organization about eligibility. No prices are published there.
Walk-in: The listing says no appointment is needed. Hours are not published, and the CDC directory warns that hours can change.

Because no fees are listed, call and ask what your visit would cost with and without insurance before you go.

Option 5: Clinica Tepeyac (sliding scale, by appointment)

Clinica Tepeyac, run by Tepeyac Community Health Center, is also listed in the CDC GetTested directory. Services include STD testing, HIV testing, hepatitis C testing, HPV vaccine and PrEP.

Address: 2101 E 48th Ave, Denver, CO 80216.
Phone: (303) 458-5302.
Cost: The listing says insurance and Medicaid are accepted and the clinic uses a sliding scale. PrEP is available for people without insurance. Contact the clinic about eligibility.
Appointments: Required, according to the listing. Hours are not published.

Option 6: TestYourselfColorado.com (free mail-in and at-home testing)

TestYourselfColorado.com is provided by Denver Public Health. The site says Colorado residents who are 18 or older can get free mail-in chlamydia and gonorrhea testing and an at-home HIV test once a year. It is not intended for people who are pregnant or who have symptoms. More frequent testing every three months is available at low cost, and the site says treatment is free.

The site does not state a start or end date for the program. Check the site for current availability.

Option 7: STRIDE Community Health Center, Oneida

STRIDE is a federally qualified health center. Its women's health page lists STI testing and treatment, and names the Oneida location among the sites offering women's health care. The Oneida location page itself does not mention STI testing, so confirm by phone.

Address: 2255 S Oneida St, Denver, CO 80224.
Phone: 303-778-7433.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Cost and walk-in policy: Neither is published. Ask when you call.

A quick comparison

Option	Cost as published	Walk-in?	Treatment on site?
Denver Sexual Health Clinic	Sliding scale, $0 to $70 for uninsured or out-of-network patients	No, appointment required	Yes
Denver Health community outreach	Free	Yes	No
HeyDenver	Free per program materials; confirm	Set days only; confirm	Not described
Planned Parenthood Park Hill	Not published; insurance accepted	Per CDC listing, yes	Not described in the listing
Clinica Tepeyac	Sliding scale	No, appointment required	Not described in the listing
TestYourselfColorado.com	Free once a year for eligible adults	Not applicable	Treatment listed as free
STRIDE Oneida	Not published	Not published	Listed on STRIDE's women's health page

Step 3: Confirm hours, eligibility and cost

This step prevents most wasted trips. Take five minutes before you leave home.

Call or text the number listed above. Phone numbers are more current than most directory listings.
Ask if you need an appointment today. Clinics like the Denver Sexual Health Clinic require one. Outreach sites and some nonprofits use set walk-in days.
Ask what the visit costs for you. Say whether you have insurance. If you do not, ask about the sliding scale or free options.
Ask which tests are included. A testing-only visit may cover only some infections. Mention any symptoms so the staff can route you to the right visit.
Ask about language and accessibility. Denver Health outreach testing is offered in English and Spanish. Ask other sites what they offer.
Check the CDC directory. The CDC's GetTested directory lets you look up additional sites by ZIP code. Its listings carry a note that hours may change, so confirm with the site.

Step 4: Know your privacy and consent rights

Many people worry about who will find out. Here is what Colorado law says.

Under Colorado Revised Statutes 25-4-409, a health care provider who is consulted by a minor must, at the minor's request, perform a diagnostic exam for a sexually transmitted infection, provide treatment if needed and discuss or prescribe preventive measures. Parental consent is not required. The statute sets no minimum age. Information is kept confidential except for child protection reporting.

Public health reporting is a separate matter. The Colorado rules at 6 CCR 1009-1 require laboratories and providers to report certain infections to public health, including chlamydia and gonorrhea (within 4 days), syphilis (positive results within 1 working day) and HIV (within 4 days). This is how health departments track trends and arrange follow-up. If you have questions about how your results are handled, ask the clinic to explain.

Step 5: Prepare for the visit

Bring what you gathered. ID if you have one, insurance information if you have it, and your notes.
Plan for the sample types. Depending on the tests, a clinician may ask for a urine sample, a swab, a finger prick or a blood draw. Swabs may be taken from the throat, rectum or genitals depending on your sexual contact. Tell the staff the truth about the kinds of sex you have so the right sites are tested.
Check the urine guidance. Some urine tests work best if you have not urinated shortly before. Ask the clinic when you book.
Arrive a little early. Paperwork can take a few minutes.
Ask about next steps before you leave. Find out how and when you will get results and who to call with questions.

Step 6: Understand timing and window periods

A test can only detect an infection after enough time has passed since exposure. This time gap is called the window period, and it differs by infection and by the kind of test used.

The CDC explains window periods for each infection in its STI resources, and a clinician can tell you which tests fit your timeline. If you tested soon after an exposure, a clinician may suggest testing again later. Ask at your visit when a repeat test would make sense for you.

The CDC recommends regular screening for many adults and groups. Its STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) set out who should be screened and how often, based on factors such as age, pregnancy and sexual contact. A clinician can tell you which screening schedule fits you.

Step 7: Follow up on your results

How you receive results depends on the site and the test. Some rapid tests return results during the visit. Others take days. Ask when you book.

Whatever the result, here is what a clinician can help with:

A negative result. This means the test did not detect that infection at the time of testing. A clinician can tell you whether a repeat test makes sense given your timing.
A positive result. This is common and manageable. The CDC states that bacterial STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, and the parasitic infection trichomoniasis, are curable with treatment prescribed by a clinician. HIV, herpes and HPV are not curable, but they are treatable or manageable, and a clinician can explain options.
An unclear result. Some results need a second test to confirm. The clinic will tell you what comes next.

Some clinics, including the Denver Sexual Health Clinic, provide treatment. Outreach testing sites do not, and will direct you to a clinic. Treatment is always something a clinician prescribes after assessing you. This guide does not list medicines or doses.

Many clinics will also talk with you about letting recent partners know, so they can get tested too. Colorado has no specific law on expedited partner therapy, according to the CDC's legal status page, so ask the clinician what they can offer in your case.

Tips for a smoother experience

Call early in the week. Appointment-only clinics fill up, and you may get an earlier slot if you ask in advance.
Be open about your history. Clinicians are there to help, not to judge. Honest answers lead to the right tests.
Ask about PrEP while you are there. PrEP is a prescription medicine that lowers the chance of getting HIV. The Denver Sexual Health Clinic and HeyDenver both offer PrEP services or navigation.
Ask about vaccines. The CDC recommends vaccines for hepatitis A, hepatitis B and HPV for many people. Ask whether the site can offer them or refer you.
Test with a partner if that is easier. Going together can feel less stressful. Each person is tested and treated separately.
If you are pregnant, tell the clinic. Colorado's rules at 6 CCR 1009-1 require providers to offer syphilis testing during pregnancy, including early in pregnancy, in the third trimester and at delivery, unless a documented test already met the requirement or the patient declines. Mail-in testing from TestYourselfColorado.com is not intended for people who are pregnant.

Common mistakes to avoid

Showing up at an appointment-only clinic. The Denver Sexual Health Clinic requires appointments. Call first.
Relying on an old hours listing. The HeyDenver page, for example, listed a walk-in date that had already passed. Always confirm.
Using outreach testing when you have symptoms. Outreach sites do not provide exams or treatment. A symptom visit with a clinician is the better route.
Waiting on a possible HIV exposure. If it has been under 72 hours, call a PEP-capable clinic right away.
Assuming one test covers everything. Testing menus differ. Ask exactly which infections are included.
Skipping a repeat test when timing was close. If you tested soon after an exposure, ask whether to test again.
Not asking about cost. If a price is not published, ask before the visit instead of after.
Skipping follow-up. If you are told you will be contacted, make sure the clinic has a working number for you.

What to expect afterward

Most people leave a testing visit with a clear plan: how and when results arrive, who to call with questions, and whether a repeat test is worth scheduling. Many first visits feel quicker and less awkward than people expect.

A negative result may mean the infection was not detected at that time. It does not rule out an infection that is too new for the test to find, which is why timing matters. A positive result is a reason to talk with a clinician about treatment or management, not a reason for blame. Results can vary by infection, test type and timing, and only a clinician can interpret them for you.

For context, the CDC's 2023 state surveillance tables report 435.1 chlamydia cases per 100,000 people in Colorado and 128.7 gonorrhea cases per 100,000. These infections are common, and testing is the way to find them early.

Where to start today

If you have symptoms or a recent exposure, call the Denver Sexual Health Clinic at 303-602-3540.
If you want free routine screening without symptoms, call or text 720-415-7075 for the next outreach location, or call HeyDenver at 303-962-2880 to confirm testing days.
If you are an adult who prefers to test at home, check TestYourselfColorado.com for availability.
For other sites, use the CDC's GetTested directory and call to confirm details.

You can also review the local testing list to compare options side by side.

Free STD Testing in Denver: Every Free and Sliding-Scale Option