DENVER -- Three additional human cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in Colorado, bringing to a total of four the number of confirmed human cases of the virus in the state this year.

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For the first time this season, a human case was reported close to Denver.

A 56-year-old woman from Jefferson County is recovering from a confirmed case of West Nile Virus, the Colorado Health Department reported. It was not known when she came down with the malady.

The other two cases announced Thursday were a 45-year-old female from Otero County who was treated in a hospital emergency room and sent home where she is recovering and a 48-year-old man from Pueblo County who was hospitalized but who has been released and is recovering.

Two additional suspected human cases from Larimer and Phillips counties have been reported but have not yet been verified through testing at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment laboratory in Denver.

Horse cases also have been confirmed in Montezuma and La Plata counties in the southwestern corner of Colorado, indicating that this year's virus has crossed the mountains and now is being identified on the Western Slope. Both horses are recovering. Also, three mosquito pools had tested positive for West Nile virus in Alamosa County in the state's San Luis Valley.

Colorado's first West Nile virus case for 2003 involved a 28-year-old man from Weld County, who did not require hospitalization and is recovering.

The positive cases are from among 142 human specimens that have been tested in Colorado this year for West Nile virus.

More information on the West Nile virus can be found at FightTheBiteColorado.com or by calling the Colorado Health Education Line at 877-462-2911.