Public Health Orders

Level Clear Began May 16 for Adams and Arapahoe Counties

TCHD Press Release: Tri-County Health Department Moves Adams and Arapahoe Counties to Level Clear May 16

These counties will remain at Level Clear unless there are more than 2 hospital admissions per 100,000 county residents over a 14-day period, as part of the Phase 2 Observation Period of the Public Health Order Simplified COVID-19 Dial issued in April. Douglas County had previously opted out of TCHD’s Simplified Dial order and remains under the state's Public Health Order 20-38: Limited COVID-19 Restrictions.

Under Level Clear, Adams and Arapahoe counties will enter a 90-day Observation Period during which businesses, schools, restaurants and other facilities will be able to open at 100 percent capacity. There will be no further restrictions beyond the state’s mask-wearing requirements for indoor spaces and any state public health orders still in effect.

Governor Polis Ends COVID-19 Health Emergency Order

On July 8, Governor Polis ended the Health Emergency Executive Orders for COVID-19 and rescinded all previous Executive Orders issued due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and signed a Recovery Executive Order to focusing only on those measures related to the State’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, focusing Colorado’s efforts on building back from the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Updated Colorado Public Health Order

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) released an amended public health order 20-38, effective July 1 to Aug. 1. This update requires medical-grade face coverings for unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated employees in homeless shelters, prisons, jails, and emergency medical and other healthcare settings. In addition, schools are not required to follow CDPHE outbreak guidance and hospital reporting requirements were reduced from 7 to 5 days per week.

Phased Reopening through a Simplified “Dial”

Each participating county will move to the next less-restrictive level based on their Dial metrics as of April 16, 2021.

Phase 1: Moving Toward Full Re-Opening, April 16 - May 15 (30 days): Counties will remain at their new level on the Dial. For example, a county at Level Yellow on the Dial on April 15 will move to Level Blue on April 16 and remain there until May 16.
Phase 2: Observation Period May 16 - Aug. 16 (90 days): Counties will move to Level Clear, subject to TCHD observation of hospital admission rates in the county. Level Clear includes only restrictions required by the state and face covering requirements.

Changing Levels

In Phase 2, each participating county will be assigned to Level Clear and will move between Levels based on the rate of hospital admissions of County residents. Counties will be moved to more or less restrictive Levels if experiencing rates reflective of more or less restrictive Levels for 7 consecutive days over a 14-day rolling average.

Level Clear: up to 2.0 hospital admissions of county residents per 100,000 over a 14-day period.
Level Blue: greater than 2.0 and up to 3.0 hospital admissions of county residents per 100,000 over a 14-day period.
Level Yellow: greater than 3.0 and up to 4.0 hospital admissions of county residents per 100,000 over a 14-day period.
Level Orange: greater than 4.0 and up to 5.0 hospital admissions of county residents per 100,000 over a 14-day period.
Level Red: More than 5.0 hospital admissions of county residents per 100,000 over a 14-day period.
Level Purple: More than 5.0 hospital admissions of county residents per 100,000 population over a 14-day period and hospital capacity is threatened.

Personal Indoor Social Gatherings

For indoor personal gatherings, follow the CDC guidance on gatherings.

Hygiene, Cleaning and Disinfecting

Employers must require employees to stay home if they show any symptoms or signs of illness or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Employers must ensure paid sick leave policies are consistent with state law and communicate those policies to employees. See the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s Paid Leave Under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act Interpretive Notice & Formal Opinion [En Español] and Colorado Workplace Public Health Rights Poster [En Español].
Customers must stay home and follow isolation and quarantine guidance if they show any symptoms or signs of illness or have been in contact with people who have tested positive for COVID-19. Businesses should implement flexible cancelation policies to encourage customers to stay home when ill or exposed.
Follow CDC’s When and How to Wash Your Hands guidance.
Follow CDC’s Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility guidance.

Ventilation

Ensure proper ventilation and maximize ventilation by upgrading air filters and opening windows whenever possible.

Signage

Post signage in public areas:

About good hygiene practices, including washing hands and distancing.
Reminding individuals to maintain physical distance.
Prohibiting anyone showing any symptoms or signs of illness from entering.
Ensure all signage is easy to follow and in languages employees and customers understand.

Business 5 Star Certification

Counties may choose to continue their Business 5 Star Certification Programs in compliance with CDPHE requirements.