For over 20 years, NCAP has been the community-based organization that has led the response to HIV and AIDS in Northern Colorado. The agency has evolved according to the needs of people living with HIV and AIDS, along with adapting to public policy and attitudes towards the disease.

NCAP is the only AIDS service organization in 16,000 square miles that provides comprehensive medical case management and prevention education/outreach services, including confidential HIV testing. We have developed an extensive network of collaborative and cooperative service providers throughout our vast geographic rural/frontier service area to ensure HIV/AIDS care and prevention remain in our local communities.

Hepatitis C is transmitted only through blood-to-blood contact. While any contact with the blood of an infected individual carries risk, the Mayo Clinic reports the highest risk factors as being:

• Having used intravenous drugs, and especially so if the individual has ever shared any needles used to inject drugs (this is the most common way that Hepatitis C is spread in the United States¹⁴),
• Received a blood or organ transplant prior to 1992,
• Being born by a woman who has or previously had a Hepatitis C infection,
• Working in a profession where contact with others’ blood is likely (such as health care workers or emergency responders).¹⁶

Generally, Hepatitis C is not considered to be an STI, and the chances of becoming infected through sexual contact are somewhat low. However, since some sexual activities can result in potential blood-to-blood contact, unprotected sex with multiple partners is still considered a risk factor¹⁴.