COVID-19 Information

Jefferson County, Colo. – As we head into the Fourth of July holiday weekend, we know residents are eager and excited to celebrate with friends and loved ones. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) offers ideas for ways to show your red, white and blue spirit while also taking steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

“As a community, we have all been working so hard to slow the spread of this virus in Jeffco, and while we have been able to greatly reduce our cases locally, we are acutely aware that many states around us are already starting to see spikes again,” said Christine Billings, Incident Commander and Emergency Preparedness and Response Supervisor at JCPH. “We encourage our residents to be vigilant about basic public health precautions while celebrating this Independence Day, so we can continue to make progress on defeating this virus.”

Here are some simple tips if you are hosting or attending holiday activities:

• If you gather with others, keep it small, do it outdoors and remember to stay 6 feet away from one another. For example, instead of going to a big indoor house party, get together with close friends or family for a BBQ outside.
• Try to celebrate with people who are already in your social circle. In other words, if there is a small group of people you have been spending some time with already, hang out with them instead of introducing more people into the group.
• Make a plan for how you’ll get there. Avoid taking public transportation if you can, and don’t travel in cars with others who don’t live with you.
• If you’re enjoying a holiday meal with others who don’t live with you, avoid sharing serving utensils, drink dispensers and communal food (e.g., large bags of chips). If possible, bring your own food instead.
• Clean and disinfect yard games between rounds, and keep hand sanitizer available wherever there are shared activities.

As always, when partaking in any activities outside of your home, you can make it safer by:

• Wearing a cloth face covering.
• Maintaining physical distance (at least 6 feet).
• Washing your hands frequently with soap and water.
• Changing your plans if a situation looks crowded or you feel uncomfortable about the risk.
• Staying home if you’re sick.

“Making a few changes to our celebrations this year can make such a big difference,” Billings said. “It’s all about taking a little extra time to think about the risks, and plan ahead for how you can reduce them, so you can keep yourself and those around you as safe and healthy as possible.”

In addition to practicing important precautions to prevent COVID-19, we also remind residents that if you drink alcohol, do it responsibly. Please also remember that fireworks are illegal and pose a fire and safety risk.

DENVER - Governor Jared Polis extended the Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors Executive Order, and provided an update on Colorado’s next steps during the COVID-19 pandemic, introducing more details on the Protect Our Neighbors framework. The Governor was joined by Jill Hunsaker Ryan, the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment; Dr. Rachel Herlihy, the state’s top epidemiologist; Joni Reynolds, the Gunnison County Public Health Director; and Jason Vahling, the City and County of Broomfield Public Health Director.

“Protect Our Neighbors will allow Colorado to respond more swiftly and effectively at the community level in the event of another surge of cases. We live in a diverse state with cities, booming suburbs, small resort towns, and rural areas with plenty of wide-open spaces. Each community is having their own unique experience with this virus. Going forward, we want to increase our ability to tackle outbreaks at a community level and only issue statewide orders when absolutely necessary,” said Gov. Polis. “We are making some much-needed investments in our local public health agencies, so they can contain and quell an outbreak before it gets out of control. The fate of Colorado in both virus suppression and economic recovery is largely in the hands of Coloradans. If we continue taking the critical steps of staying at home, wearing masks when leaving the house and following social distancing practices, then we will get through this together.”

The Governor did not announce any additional relaxing of restrictions today, but described the new phase: Protect Our Neighbors that will give local communities more freedom to provide economic opportunity while ensuring that they have the necessary public health capacity. The introduction of the new phase means that different parts of the state could be at different phases of reopening, based on local conditions and capabilities.

“Each day, we make progress to build the capacity of our public health system -- from ramping up statewide testing sites to onboarding new case investigators and contact tracers systemwide, to identifying creative ways to aggressively acquire PPE. I am proud of the team at CDPHE who have stood strong during this very difficult time, and I’m grateful for our local public health partners who are leading the response against COVID in their communities,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment. “It is important that Coloradans don’t let up now, and this new phase - Protect Our Neighbors - isn’t just words. It means we all accept personal responsibility for the things we can do every day to keep ourselves and others healthy.”

Moving forward, communities that can demonstrate strong public health and health care systems, paired with low virus levels, can take on more control over their reopening plans. In order to reopen to this greater extent, communities must have:

• Low virus prevalence;
• Health care capacity to handle a surge; and
• Strong public health capacity to contain outbreaks and surges locally, including the ability to test, track, and trace.

In order to qualify for Protect Our Neighbors, a county (or region) must do two things:

• Certify qualification according to the scientific metrics; and
• Submit a mitigation and containment plan on what the county or region will do if they fall out of compliance with any of the metrics. This containment plan must be accompanied by letters of support from local elected leaders including county commissioners and mayors, the hospitals that serve that community, law enforcement, county emergency management, local public health, and if applicable, tribes.

The certification process will begin next week. Learn more about how a community can qualify.

Communities in Protect Our Neighbors will be able to permit all activities to occur at 50 percent of pre-pandemic capacity, with at least six feet between non-household members and no more than 500 people in one setting at a time. Local communities may issue more detailed guidelines or public health orders for different settings, so long as the capacity does not exceed these caps.

The Governor also discussed funding and support for local governments as Colorado looks to move into Protect Our Neighbors. In total, the state is investing $346 million in state and local capacity, with $75 million going directly from the state to Local Public Health Agencies. Gov. Polis also announced two new sources of available funding: a Planning Grant or Infrastructure Strengthening Grant.

All counties or local public health agencies can apply for a Planning Grant of up to $50,000. If counties have already identified infrastructure needs, they may apply for Infrastructure Strengthening Grants, with a maximum state award of $150,000 and a maximum total grant of $300,000. These grants will require local matching funds and can be spent on investments such as technology, community resource coordination, communication activities to increase compliance with the public health orders, funding for community-based partners and cultural brokers, and enhanced prevention and containment efforts.

Governor Polis announced the closure of bars. Bars that have taken steps to open as restaurants may continue to operate in-person service, so long as they have patrons seated with their own party only in set seating, spaced six feet apart, and with no mingling. Bars are permitted to sell alcoholic beverages to-go for takeout or delivery consumption if the alcoholic beverages are sold with food. All of the guidelines previously in place around social distancing still apply. Bars may still operate if open under a county variance pursuant to the terms of that county variance. More information can be found in the Governor’s Executive Order.

View the Governor’s presentation. Watch the full news conference on the Governor’s Facebook page.

Summer is a popular time along Clear Creek. While outdoor recreation is encouraged, the COVID-19 virus is still a big concern. The City of Golden is testing various ways to limit large crowds from gathering along the creek. This weekend, you will notice that 10^th Street at Washington Avenue will be closed to local traffic only. The restrictions also include the 9^th Street neighborhood adjacent to 10^th Street. The kayak park parking lot will be a drop-off location only, and no parking. We encourage visitors to park in the large, free, public parking lot located at 311 10^th Street, just a few blocks east of Washington Avenue.

If you plan to visit the creek or any place where people may be gathering, it is important to take some simple steps to help keep yourself and others safe. Look for signs along Clear Creek and please help protect others by following these simple steps:

• Wear your mask
• Sanitize hands
• Maintain social distancing
• If you’re sick, stay home

Colorado Governor Jared Polis discussed the risk levels associated with different activities. He encouraged Coloradans to get out into the state’s great outdoors and participate in low-risk activities like camping, hiking, biking, outdoor exercise and activities. Before going anywhere, ask yourself questions such as:

• How many other people will be participating in this activity?
• Can I put distance between myself and others?
• Do I feel 100% healthy?
• What is the value of this activity to me versus the risk I am taking?

Visit covid19.colorado.gov/risks-benefits to assess the risk level of certain activities.

DENVER - Gov. Polis provided an update on the state’s response to COVID-19 and was joined by State Epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy to remind Coloradans about the importance of social distancing and wearing masks, especially with the upcoming 4th of July holiday.

“It remains critical that Coloradans continue taking steps to protect themselves and others. Our state’s success thus far has been due to the actions and personal responsibility of Coloradans, and that will continue to be true,” said Governor Jared Polis. “As long as we continue to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines, we can avoid seeing cases climb like our neighboring states. As we continue to reopen, more of the responsibility is placed on the individual to do the right thing. I’m proud of how Coloradans have responded during this pandemic and believe we can continue to make the right choices moving forward. As we plan to celebrate our nation’s birthday on July 4th and enjoy their summer, Coloradans should make plans in a safe way, with just their own family or one other family.”

The Governor discussed the risk levels associated with different activities. He encouraged Coloradans to get out into the state’s great outdoors and participate in low-risk activities like camping, hiking, biking, outdoor exercise and activities.

When deciding which activities they are comfortable participating in, Coloradans should ask themselves the following questions:

• How many other people will be participating in this activity?
• Is the activity outside?
• Can I put distance between myself and others?
• How long will the activity take?
• Do I feel 100% healthy?
• How will I get there? Biking, walking, and driving in a car are all safer than public transportation.
• Do I live with someone who is more vulnerable to COVID-19, and would be at high risk if I happened to bring the virus home?
• What is the value of this activity to me versus the risk I am taking?

Coloradans can visit www.covid19.colorado.gov/risks-benefits to assess the risk level of certain activities.

As Coloradans are spending more time outdoors, the state is reminding everyone to be responsible in Colorado’s natural spaces. Gov. Polis highlighted an initiative from the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) encouraging visitors to show care, not only for destinations but also for the people who call them home. With lines like “How about a ski between you and me?” and “Keep a mask in your pocket, in case you need to rock it,” the CTO is creating a fun and memorable way to remember these important steps. Learn more.

Gov. Polis also highlighted a best practice being used by Eagle County and encouraged other counties to do the same. Eagle County has asked every hotel and short-term rental to give a letter to guests upon booking providing critical public health information. The letter asks all travelers to follow the “5 Commitments of Containment” while visiting Eagle County, which are:

• I will maintain 6 feet of physical distance.
• I will wash my hands often.
• I will cover my face in public.
• I will stay home when I am sick.
• I will get tested immediately if I have symptoms.

Governor Polis today released guidance to allow outdoor visitation at residential care facilities in order to minimize the potential spread of COVID-19. Some of the most important standards:

• The facility cannot have outdoor visitation if the facility had any recent positive cases or outbreaks and has not completed the required isolation period of 14 days. Facilities with active cases are not allowed to offer visits.
• All visits must be scheduled. Prior to the visits, facilities must provide information about COVID-19, and instructions for self-screening on the day of the visit, social distancing and mask-wearing, and details about the visit.
• The visitor must be greeted outside at a designated area by facility staff, and the staff member will perform temperature check and symptom screening in accordance with current CDC guidelines.
• All visitors must wear a face mask or cloth face covering. All staff and the resident must wear a surgical or cloth mask unless doing so would inhibit the resident’s health.

View the full guidance.

The Governor also signed Executive Order D 2020 113, allowing voluntary or elective surgeries and procedures to proceed under certain conditions.

The full news conference can be viewed on the Governor’s Facebook page.

Colorado remains the only state in the Pacific or Mountain time zones -- the entire western half of the country -- that is seeing a steady decline in case counts.

That is a testament to Coloradans continuing to take the pandemic seriously and take the proper precautions: wearing masks, keeping our distance from others, practicing proper hygiene, and protecting vulnerable populations like older Coloradans and those with underlying health conditions.

As the state continues to reopen, more of the burden is placed on individuals to do the right thing. We have to use common sense and consider the level of risk when participating in certain activities.

Before participating in an activity, Coloradans have an obligation to ask themselves:

• How many other people will be participating in this activity?
• Is the activity outside?
• Can I put distance between myself and others?
• How long will the activity take?
• Do I feel 100% healthy?
• How will I get there? Biking, walking, driving in a car are safer than public transportation.
• Do I live with someone who is more vulnerable to COVID-19, and would be at high risk if I happened to bring the virus home?
• And what is the value of this activity to me versus the risk I am taking?

Things like camping, hiking, biking, outdoor exercise/activities, or shopping outdoors at a farmer’s market are fairly Low Risk activities.

Things like dining out, playing on the playground, shopping indoors, or visiting a swimming pool carry a Medium Risk.

And then activities like airline travel, concerts, attending worship services in-person, personal services, bars, gyms, or large gatherings carry a Higher Risk.

So please exercise personal responsibility, use common sense, and err on the side of caution.

Visit covid19.colorado.gov/risks-benefits for more information about how we can continue to keep ourselves and each other safe and healthy.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is seeking feedback on additional draft guidelines for the Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors public health order. Coloradans can review draft guidelines in the following areas:

• Residential Camp Draft Guidance -- Submit feedback using this online form.
• Indoor Event Draft Guidance -- Submit feedback using this online form.
• Outdoor Event Draft Guidance-- Submit feedback using this online form.

The deadline for providing feedback is Wednesday, June 17, at 5 p.m.

The CDPHE is also soliciting feedback on an upcoming public health order -- Protect Our Neighbors. The Protect Our Neighbors phase comes after Stay at Home and Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors phases.

Coloradans can review the draft framework, and provide feedback by Thursday, June 18, 11:59 p.m.:

• Protect Our Neighbors Framework -- Submit feedback using this online form.

Local communities will have the ability to enter the Protect Our Neighbors phase in late June, if they meet thresholds that will be defined in the order and guidance. Thresholds will include a local community’s ability to contain surges in cases and outbreaks through testing, case investigation, contact tracing, isolation, quarantine, site-specific closures, and the enforcement of public health orders.

With more activities open and available to the public, it is everyone's responsibility to do whatever they can to reduce the spread of the disease. Always stay home when you are sick. If you go out, remember the big three: wear a face covering; wash your hands frequently; and maintain physical distance with others.

Continue to stay up-to-date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has approved Jefferson County’s request for a variance to the statewide Safer-at-Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors order with some modifications. The county’s variance request addresses: gathering size; places of worship; gyms; indoor retail malls; outdoor recreation; indoor and outdoor museums and educational experiences; graduations; brew pubs, distilleries and other similar places; event centers; and some additional businesses not specifically provided for in the state’s order.

The county’s variance allows certain things that are not yet in the state order, such as:

Gatherings:

• Indoor settings can have up to 50% occupancy or 50 people (whichever is less) in each confined indoor space.
• In outdoor settings, the variance allows for 125 people.
• Indoor malls can begin to open, with a plan approved by Jefferson County Public Health.
• Graduations can take place, with a plan approved by Jefferson County Public Health.
• Gyms or places for personal recreation can have up to 50% occupancy or 50 people (whichever is less) in each confined indoor space.

This collaborative effort is a credit to the on-going efforts of Jeffco elected officials, the public health department, county attorney, community, cities, businesses and county staff – all led by the Jeffco Board of County Commissioners.

“This approval will help us responsibly continue the process of re-opening Jefferson County,” said County Manager Don Davis. “We hope that everyone will follow the new guidance to ensure a safe and timely economic recovery.”

As required by the state for variance applications, Jefferson County Public Health approved the COVID-19 suppression plan in the application. As the county’s economy slowly reopens, Jeffco must continue to protect our community, especially those most vulnerable, from COVID-19. Jefferson County asks that everyone continues to follow all public health orders – including staying six feet away from others, wearing a cloth face covering, washing hands, getting tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19, and self-isolating if test results are positive.

Jefferson County created an annotated version of the state’s public health order to show where the Jeffco variance approvals interact with the state’s order. See the annotated version for the details. You can also view the state’s approval letter on the Jefferson County variance.

DENVER - Gov. Polis today signed an Executive Order, transitioning from Safer at Home to Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors.

“Our state has some of the most beautiful natural open spaces in the world and we want Coloradans to enjoy our vast, great outdoors. While we are all still safer at home, we are also able to practice greater social distancing in our great outdoors than in confined indoor spaces,” said Governor Jared Polis. “It may feel like we are getting back to normal, but the virus is still here, and it could surge back the moment we let our guard down. We are still far from normal. Coloradans have to remain diligent, and must continue staying home or in the great outdoors away from others as much as possible, wearing masks when we leave the house, and washing our hands. Over these next few weeks, each and every one of us has a responsibility to protect ourselves and others, especially as we begin venturing out onto our trails and open space.”

“And for anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms, it’s extremely important to not go to work or hang out with others and to get tested. Testing is free, easy, and quick at 47 state-supported, community testing sites across the state including at the Pepsi Center in Denver,” Gov. Polis added.

“Colorado has millions of acres of accessible federal land, municipal parks, State parks, State and county open space, and other accessible areas that allow for stronger Social Distancing in our great outdoors. Coloradans should Stay at Home or in the great outdoors away from others as much as possible and continue to limit social interactions, remain at least six feet from others not in their household, and wear non-medical facial coverings in public,” the Executive Order reads.

Previously, high-risk Coloradans, those above 65 or with underlying health conditions, were required to stay home unless absolutely necessary. With this Executive Order, those individuals are now encouraged to also enjoy Colorado’s outdoor spaces at a safe social distance, in addition to staying at home as much as possible. This Executive Order also directs the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to issue a corresponding Public Health Order.

CDPHE is also releasing draft guidance on houses of worship, outdoor recreation, personal recreation, and updates to the child care and personal services guidances. Playgrounds and swimming pools can open at limited capacity and the Governor encourages people to have safe fun outdoors away from others. CDPHE is soliciting input from industry and key stakeholders on the draft guidance, and comments are due by Wednesday, at 12:00pm. Final versions will be released Thursday, June 4, 2020. CDPHE also released guidance for short-term rentals, allowing them to reopen as of June 1, 2020. Guidance issued under Safer at Home is still in effect unless updated by this Executive Order or under CDPHE.

DENVER - Governor Jared Polis took further action to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Polis signed Executive Order D 2020-089, extending the temporary suspension of certain statutes concerning taxpayer filing requirements for certain taxable property.

The Governor also signed Executive Order D 2020-090, allowing food trucks to operate at rest areas to support the movement of commercial vehicle activities.