DENVER -- Colorado is one of three states without its own stash of anti-viral medication to be used in the event of a pandemic flu outbreak.

"We're going to have one in our lifetime," said Dr. Stuart Weiss, a consultant in disaster preparedness.

Weiss, who is a partner in the New York-based MedPrep Consulting group, also represents drug maker Roche. Wiess met with a handful of state lawmakers Thursday.

"I'm suggesting Colorado rethink its decision not to stock anti-virals, which are an important strategy in protecting people in the state of Colorado," Weiss told 7NEWS.

State health officials said Colorado would rely on anti-virals provided by the federal government.

Dr. Ned Calonge, chief medical officer for the Department of Public Health and Environment, said Colorado would be allocated 670,000 courses of the drug during a pandemic emergency.

"We've already worked on bringing that asset in, and distributing it to address something like a pandemic flu," Calonge said.

Calonge said a committee, first appointed by former Gov. Bill Owens, researched the issue and determined the strategic national stockpile would provide sufficient quantities of the medication to Colorado. The committee, called the Governor's Expert Epidemic Response Committee, briefed Gov. Bill Ritter as recently as this past summer with no changes recommended.

Calonge said during a worst case scenario, there would be enough medication for every patient admitted in the hospital with the flu, every high risk person who got the flu, plus first responders and health care responders.

Weiss worries the national supplies could quickly dwindle or not be available at all.

"The current anti-virals in the stockpiles belong to the federal government and they will prioritize it on how they see fit. It behooves state governments to have their own stockpiles for the governors to use for their own priorities," Weiss said.

Weiss said the state has an opportunity to purchase the medication at a discounted rate, but that window only lasts until June of this year.

Calonge said Colorado has been named a model state by the Centers for Disease Control for pandemic preparedness.

"We certainly have no indication from the federal government that we would not have access to what we've been promised," Calonge said.

Purchasing a state stockpile of anti-virals would cost $7 million, and have a seven-year shelf life, according to Calonge.

Calonge said the state has conducted training drills and explored other ways to mitigate the impacts of a pandemic flu by encouraging personal preparedness.

"We want to be prepared, but not fearful," Calonge said.

Weiss' visit to the capitol was sponsored by Rep. Anne McGihon, a Democrat from Denver.

McGihon said she plans to monitor the situation

"I'm incredibly respectful of Dr. Calonge and his opinion of the issue. It's a matter of balancing needs with available funds," McGihon said.