HHS OCR report ยท 2017
Colorado Department of Human Services data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Colorado Department of Human Services
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Colorado
- Individuals affected
- 639
- Submission date
- Dec 27, 2017
- Type of breach
- Hacking/IT Incident
- Location of breached information
- Desktop Computer
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
On November 1, 2017, an employee at the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo mistyped a website address into her computer browser and accessed an imposter site that downloaded malware to her computer. Her subsequent attempts to fix the problem allowed the malware company to access the protected health information (PHI) of 639 individuals, including demographic, clinical, and financial information. The CE provided breach notification to HHS, affected individuals, and the media. Following...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Colorado Department of Human Services
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Department of Human Services | CO | Healthcare Provider | 6,132 | Jan 19, 2022 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
| Colorado Department of Human Services | CO | Healthcare Provider | 12,230 | Dec 16, 2019 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Colorado Department of Human Services data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 639 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Dec 27, 2017.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Hacking/IT Incident, with the breached information located in: Desktop Computer.
Is the investigation still open?
No. The report is in the OCR portal archive, which holds reports where OCR has closed its review.
Is a breach notice letter from Colorado Department of Human Services legitimate?
This site cannot verify letters. Check the sender against the organisation's official website and the HHS OCR breach portal, and avoid calling numbers or clicking links only listed in an unexpected message. See our guide on what to do after a data breach notice.
Source: HHS OCR Breach Portal, OCR export October 2026. Network USA is not affiliated with HHS or Colorado Department of Human Services.