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1. There is a Statewide public health order and a TCHD local public health order, which rules do I follow?

Counties under local orders and statewide orders must comply with the strictest requirements of both. All individuals, employers and employees are required to comply with the requirements of Statewide Public Health Order 20-38. TCHD’s order allowed Counties to opt-out of its requirements. 

• Douglas County has opted-out of TCHD’s local public health order and is no longer subject to its requirements. Douglas County individuals, employers and employees must continue complying with all requirements under Statewide public health orders.
• Adams County and Arapahoe County will remain under TCHD’s local public health order and the Statewide public health order and must comply with the strictest requirements of both.

2. With CDPHE’s industry specific guidance no longer required, are there still things I should be doing to keep people safe in my unique setting? What about in Level Clear when all requirements go away?

Community spread still exists and not everyone has had the opportunity to get vaccinated. Businesses, event hosts, places of worship, local governments, and others are strongly urged to implement the science-based COVID-19 mitigation strategies appropriate for their space and activities whenever possible.

3. How does the new hospital admission rate metric work?

The new dial metric tracks newly admitted residents to any hospital, per day, per 100,000 residents. In Phase I, this metric is not used at all. Instead, counties will have a 30-day grace period in Level Blue.

In Phase II, which began May 16, counties that remained under our Public Health Order were assigned to Level Clear – an observation period – where a county will only be moved out of Level Clear if they exceed two new hospital admissions, per day, per 100,000 residents, for seven consecutive days. The last date that our counties exceeded this level was 01/02/2021 for Adams County, 12/28/2020 for Arapahoe County, and 12/08/2020 for Douglas County. 

Unlike hospital capacity, which is inherently regional, this metric is County-specific and only counts the number of County residents newly admitted to any hospital. Unlike incidence rate and percent positivity, this new metric accounts for the severity of cases as treatments improve and individuals are vaccinated. 

Metric Thresholds for Each Level:

	Level Clear: New Normal	LEVEL BLUE: CAUTION	LEVEL YELLOW: CONCERN	LEVEL ORANGE: HIGH RISK	LEVEL RED: SEVERE RISK	LEVEL PURPLE: EXTREME RISK
Metric –  Hospital Admissions per 100,000 County Residents Over a 7-Day Period	0-2	2 - 3	3 - 4	4 - 5	> 5	>5 and Hospital Capacity is Threatened

4. Are there any restrictions on outdoor events?

In Level Clear, there are no local restrictions on outdoor events. Events must comply with CDPHE’s Public Health Order 20-38. In addition events must follow the CDPHE Guidance for Outdoor Events with additional information on mitigation strategies to promote safety during those activities. 

Your local county or city permitting office may require COVID-19 plans and TCHD is available to provide technical assistance on event planning for events of any size. Email covidbusinessrecovery@tchd.org.

5. Are there any limits on indoor events?

In Level Clear, there are no local restrictions on indoor events. Event venues, operators and hosts should limit the number of attendees at events and continue implementing mitigation strategies detailed in CDPHE event guidance and CDC Guidance for Organizing Large Events and Gatherings to the greatest extent practical.

This Order does not require plan review or approval by TCHD for indoor events. However, your local county or city permitting office may require COVID-19 plans to operate and, under CDPHE’s Public Health Order 20-28. TCHD is available to provide technical assistance on event planning by emailing covidbusinessrecovery@tchd.org. 

6. Do I still need to symptom screen employees or customers?

While it is encouraged to symptom screen employees and customers, it is not required by the Order. Businesses must require employees and customers showing any symptoms or signs of sickness, or who have been in contact with people who have tested positive to stay home. Employers must ensure paid sick leave policies are consistent with state law and communicate those policies, in writing, 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].

7. Do I need to continue providing reasonable accommodations to employees at high risk or who have been vaccinated?

Consult CDC guidance for People with Certain Medical Conditions and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidance on What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws.

8. Is the Five-Star Certification Program still in place?

Each Five-Star Certification Program is operated by the individual county. Counties can continue their Five-Star Programs if they choose. Programs and businesses must continue following CDPHE’s Program framework, including all industry specific checklists, except that certified businesses are no longer required to symptom screen customers or take customers contact information. 

Some counties may decide not to continue their program. See your county’s 5-Star Program webpage:

• Douglas County’s Certify My Business – certifyme@douglas.co.us 
• Arapahoe County’s Five-Star Recovery Partner Program – frouse@adcogov.org 
• Adams County’s 5 Star Business Certification Program – 5star@arapahoegov.com