COVID-19 Information

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COVID-19 Information from the City of Golden

Jefferson County Board of Health Votes to Rescind PHO 21-006

During a public special Jefferson County Board of Health meeting held virtually on February 10, the Jefferson County Board of Health voted to rescind Public Health Order 21-006, the public health order requiring the use of masks in all public, indoor settings, including school and childcare settings, effective Feb. 11, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.

You can read the full press release for more information.

Colorado launches new COVID-19 vaccine hotline

REMOTE, (Jan. 25, 2021): Today, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment launched a new call center for the public to ask questions specifically about the COVID-19 vaccine. Now through the end of January, the vaccine call center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Beginning Feb. 1, hours will extend to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The new toll-free number is 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926).

Connect for Health Colorado® is operating Colorado’s COVID-19 Call Center

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is partnered with Connect for Health Colorado® to provide Coloradans with a call center that has support services for COVID-19 testing and containment results. The “COVID Results” Call Center opened on Nov. 19, 2020 and has placed more than 228,000 calls.

The COVID-19 Call Center staff provide outbound call support to deliver COVID-19 test results. The call center is also open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and provides information and guidance in English and Spanish, as well as in other languages using an interpretation service.

State launches BinaxNOW rapid home test program for Colorado schools

As part of ongoing efforts to keep in-person learning as safe as possible, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has developed a new at-home COVID-19 testing program for teachers, staff, and selected students at participating schools. The program is intended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools by allowing symptomatic and exposed individuals to get tested quickly and easily.

Learn more in the press release below.

New CommUNITY campaign seeks to make help easier to find

Jefferson County Community Partners has launched the new CommUNITY campaign in an effort to connect people in need during the pandemic with community resources and assistance available under one easy-to-access hub.

Resources include food assistance, layoff support, unemployment assistance, work opportunities, housing, mental wellness support, childcare access, assistance for populations including pregnant women, children, and aging adults, and more.

The CommUNITY campaign also encourages neighbors to safely check in on each other and share information about services they may not know exist. Information is also available to connect locals to volunteer opportunities with one of the many community partners supporting those in need.

For more information and to access resources, visit www.jeffco.us/community or call 2-1-1. Information is available in English and Spanish at at www.jeffco.us/comunidad

An Important COVID-19 Message from the City of Golden

We’ve previously shared recommendations and best practices from public health agencies on protecting yourself from exposure to the COVID-19 virus. We encourage you to continue to pay attention to those recommendations and monitor advice from CDC and local health agencies, as guidance is changing based on the evolving nature of the COVID-19 outbreak.

In addition to the general guidance on protecting oneself from COVID-19 exposure, the City has been actively working with State and local public health officials and implementing recommended measures to help minimize the risk to the Golden community and to our employees. In addition, we have developed contingency plans for our critical operations should the COVID-19 situation further deteriorate.

Here are some of the actions we have taken to date:

(not in any particular order of importance):

Closures

  • City Hall is now open without need of an appointment. Please see our Status of City Services page for a detailed list of facilities and services that are open, will open soon, and what remains closed.
  • We are in contact with the Jefferson County Health Department and Colorado Department of Health and Environment to ensure we take action on closures of facilities when it is recommended. Please watch for updates that we will post on Facebook and here on Guiding Golden.

Public Safety

  • The Police Department is strongly encouraging everyone to utilize the online reporting tool, which can be found at: cityofgolden.seamlessdocs.com/f/GPDOnlineReporting. This online reporting tool is simple to use on your mobile device, tablet, or computer. You can even upload photos or documents directly from your phone. Online reporting is NOT to be used for EMERGENCIES, crimes in progress, or where suspect information is known. In case of EMERGENCY call 911 or for NON-emergencies call JeffCom Communications Center at (303) 980-7300.
  • The Golden Police Department is now on ACCIDENT ALERT until further notice in an effort to limit exposure to COVID-19 and maintain staffing for emergencies. During this time, police will generally not be dispatched to property damage collisions where the vehicles are movable, but there are exceptions. Please only ask for Police assistance if the accident involves the following: injury and/or death; suspected drug or alcohol use; hit and run; cars are blocking the roadway or causing a safety hazard; involves public vehicle or property.
    For those incidents that do NOT apply, an online report may be made through the online accident reporting tool.
  • The Golden Fire and Police Departments have implemented new protocols for responding to suspected cases of COVID-19 or other illnesses resembling COVID-19. Personnel will wear additional personal protective equipment. Our 9-1-1 dispatch center is advising responding crews of potential calls resembling COVID-19. In those cases, only one member of a responding crew will make initial contact with an individual for assessment while other members standby at a distance. This is a practice most public safety departments are implementing to prevent over exposure to first responders.
  • Golden Fire Department has been in touch with all of our nursing home and senior care facilities and has shared Golden Fire Department protocols as well as information regarding best practices. Golden Fire has discussed the importance of facility planning with each of these entities.
  • The Golden Police Department is working closely with the Sheriff’s Office and other police agencies to ensure adequate coverage arrangements are made should the situation deteriorate.

Water

  • There is no immediate risk to Golden’s public water supply from COVID-19. Nevertheless, we have been in touch with public water experts and will be prepared to implement recommendations, if any, made by public health officials and the public water industry. City of Golden staff have prepared to continue to operate our water treatment facility remotely should we encounter staffing challenges.

Budget

  • We recognize there will be an obvious economic impact created by the COVID-19 outbreak. Department Directors are limiting all non-essential City expenditures until further notice. The City has adequate reserve funds for these types of emergencies, but nevertheless, conservative spending is prudent until the budget impact of COVID-19 is fully understood.

Communication

  • The City maintains close contact with county officials to coordinate actions.
  • Initially, we posted COVID-19 information on the City of Golden’s homepage, but have since moved all updates and information here to this page.

Cleaning Guidelines

  • We’ve implemented enhanced cleaning protocols in city facilities. Our employees will be wiping down work stations and high-touch points in public areas several times throughout each day.

What you can expect moving forward:

  • We will continue to monitor public health agency recommendations on public gatherings and other guidance specific to government agencies. If there are changes to City operations or specific actions that impact the Golden community, we will notify the community of these actions.
  • We will provide updates to the Golden community on a regular basis moving forward.

How you can Help:

  • Be diligent about your own hygiene practices and follow CDC and public health recommendations for limiting the spread of COVID-19. Limiting the reach of COVID-19 is a community effort!
  • Pay attention to and have an awareness of changing guidance and recommendations from CDC and public health officials. The spread of COVID-19 is a very fluid, fast-changing situation and recommendation may change often.
  • Check on the well-being of your neighbors, especially the elderly, to ensure they have the resources and supplies they need to sustain a lengthy period of time at home.

Many of our local small businesses may struggle to make ends meet during these uncertain times. To the extent you can support them without compromising safety, please do so! Go to VisitGolden.com for a list of take-out and delivery restaurants in Golden and ways to Shop Local without leaving home.

Jefferson County Board of Health Votes to Rescind PHO 21-006

During a public special Jefferson County Board of Health meeting held virtually on February 10, the Jefferson County Board of Health voted to rescind Public Health Order 21-006, the public health order requiring the use of masks in all public, indoor settings, including school and childcare settings, effective Feb. 11, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.

You can read the full press release for more information.

Colorado launches new COVID-19 vaccine hotline

REMOTE, (Jan. 25, 2021): Today, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment launched a new call center for the public to ask questions specifically about the COVID-19 vaccine. Now through the end of January, the vaccine call center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Beginning Feb. 1, hours will extend to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The new toll-free number is 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926).

Connect for Health Colorado® is operating Colorado’s COVID-19 Call Center

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is partnered with Connect for Health Colorado® to provide Coloradans with a call center that has support services for COVID-19 testing and containment results. The “COVID Results” Call Center opened on Nov. 19, 2020 and has placed more than 228,000 calls.

The COVID-19 Call Center staff provide outbound call support to deliver COVID-19 test results. The call center is also open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and provides information and guidance in English and Spanish, as well as in other languages using an interpretation service.

State launches BinaxNOW rapid home test program for Colorado schools

As part of ongoing efforts to keep in-person learning as safe as possible, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has developed a new at-home COVID-19 testing program for teachers, staff, and selected students at participating schools. The program is intended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools by allowing symptomatic and exposed individuals to get tested quickly and easily.

Learn more in the press release below.

New CommUNITY campaign seeks to make help easier to find

Jefferson County Community Partners has launched the new CommUNITY campaign in an effort to connect people in need during the pandemic with community resources and assistance available under one easy-to-access hub.

Resources include food assistance, layoff support, unemployment assistance, work opportunities, housing, mental wellness support, childcare access, assistance for populations including pregnant women, children, and aging adults, and more.

The CommUNITY campaign also encourages neighbors to safely check in on each other and share information about services they may not know exist. Information is also available to connect locals to volunteer opportunities with one of the many community partners supporting those in need.

For more information and to access resources, visit www.jeffco.us/community or call 2-1-1. Information is available in English and Spanish at at www.jeffco.us/comunidad

An Important COVID-19 Message from the City of Golden

We’ve previously shared recommendations and best practices from public health agencies on protecting yourself from exposure to the COVID-19 virus. We encourage you to continue to pay attention to those recommendations and monitor advice from CDC and local health agencies, as guidance is changing based on the evolving nature of the COVID-19 outbreak.

In addition to the general guidance on protecting oneself from COVID-19 exposure, the City has been actively working with State and local public health officials and implementing recommended measures to help minimize the risk to the Golden community and to our employees. In addition, we have developed contingency plans for our critical operations should the COVID-19 situation further deteriorate.

Here are some of the actions we have taken to date:

(not in any particular order of importance):

Closures

  • City Hall is now open without need of an appointment. Please see our Status of City Services page for a detailed list of facilities and services that are open, will open soon, and what remains closed.
  • We are in contact with the Jefferson County Health Department and Colorado Department of Health and Environment to ensure we take action on closures of facilities when it is recommended. Please watch for updates that we will post on Facebook and here on Guiding Golden.

Public Safety

  • The Police Department is strongly encouraging everyone to utilize the online reporting tool, which can be found at: cityofgolden.seamlessdocs.com/f/GPDOnlineReporting. This online reporting tool is simple to use on your mobile device, tablet, or computer. You can even upload photos or documents directly from your phone. Online reporting is NOT to be used for EMERGENCIES, crimes in progress, or where suspect information is known. In case of EMERGENCY call 911 or for NON-emergencies call JeffCom Communications Center at (303) 980-7300.
  • The Golden Police Department is now on ACCIDENT ALERT until further notice in an effort to limit exposure to COVID-19 and maintain staffing for emergencies. During this time, police will generally not be dispatched to property damage collisions where the vehicles are movable, but there are exceptions. Please only ask for Police assistance if the accident involves the following: injury and/or death; suspected drug or alcohol use; hit and run; cars are blocking the roadway or causing a safety hazard; involves public vehicle or property.
    For those incidents that do NOT apply, an online report may be made through the online accident reporting tool.
  • The Golden Fire and Police Departments have implemented new protocols for responding to suspected cases of COVID-19 or other illnesses resembling COVID-19. Personnel will wear additional personal protective equipment. Our 9-1-1 dispatch center is advising responding crews of potential calls resembling COVID-19. In those cases, only one member of a responding crew will make initial contact with an individual for assessment while other members standby at a distance. This is a practice most public safety departments are implementing to prevent over exposure to first responders.
  • Golden Fire Department has been in touch with all of our nursing home and senior care facilities and has shared Golden Fire Department protocols as well as information regarding best practices. Golden Fire has discussed the importance of facility planning with each of these entities.
  • The Golden Police Department is working closely with the Sheriff’s Office and other police agencies to ensure adequate coverage arrangements are made should the situation deteriorate.

Water

  • There is no immediate risk to Golden’s public water supply from COVID-19. Nevertheless, we have been in touch with public water experts and will be prepared to implement recommendations, if any, made by public health officials and the public water industry. City of Golden staff have prepared to continue to operate our water treatment facility remotely should we encounter staffing challenges.

Budget

  • We recognize there will be an obvious economic impact created by the COVID-19 outbreak. Department Directors are limiting all non-essential City expenditures until further notice. The City has adequate reserve funds for these types of emergencies, but nevertheless, conservative spending is prudent until the budget impact of COVID-19 is fully understood.

Communication

  • The City maintains close contact with county officials to coordinate actions.
  • Initially, we posted COVID-19 information on the City of Golden’s homepage, but have since moved all updates and information here to this page.

Cleaning Guidelines

  • We’ve implemented enhanced cleaning protocols in city facilities. Our employees will be wiping down work stations and high-touch points in public areas several times throughout each day.

What you can expect moving forward:

  • We will continue to monitor public health agency recommendations on public gatherings and other guidance specific to government agencies. If there are changes to City operations or specific actions that impact the Golden community, we will notify the community of these actions.
  • We will provide updates to the Golden community on a regular basis moving forward.

How you can Help:

  • Be diligent about your own hygiene practices and follow CDC and public health recommendations for limiting the spread of COVID-19. Limiting the reach of COVID-19 is a community effort!
  • Pay attention to and have an awareness of changing guidance and recommendations from CDC and public health officials. The spread of COVID-19 is a very fluid, fast-changing situation and recommendation may change often.
  • Check on the well-being of your neighbors, especially the elderly, to ensure they have the resources and supplies they need to sustain a lengthy period of time at home.

Many of our local small businesses may struggle to make ends meet during these uncertain times. To the extent you can support them without compromising safety, please do so! Go to VisitGolden.com for a list of take-out and delivery restaurants in Golden and ways to Shop Local without leaving home.

  • RTD COVID-19 Service Plan

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    RTD’s Board of Directors recently approved a 40% reduction in service beginning April 19 in reaction to an unprecedented 70% drop in ridership amid the Coronavirus lockdowns. RTD will run buses every day on a Saturday and Regional schedule and light rail trains on a Sunday schedule. The transit service had already been suffering an operator shortage before the Coronavirus reached Colorado. Most bus and train operators have been working mandated six-day work weeks. The new schedule will go into effect on April 19th. The Approved Service Change Plan is now available.

    RTD Service Changes and Golden

    RAIL

    The W line from the Jeffco Government Center to Union Station will operate on a supplemented Sunday schedule.

    BUS

    The 16 bus route will operate as follows:

    • Weekdays: Saturday service schedule with no service between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m.
    • Saturdays: No service between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m.
    • Sundays: No service between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m.

    The 16L will not operate at all during the COVID -19 service plan change.

    The Regional GS bus line that runs between the Federal Center and Boulder, through Golden, will limit to two trips in the morning, and two in the afternoon during peak hours each way on weekdays.

    ACCESS-A-RIDE & FOOD DELIVERY

    Food Delivery service is available to Access-a-Ride customers. You are still able to book trips for essential purposes, including to purchase groceries. RTD now offers grocery pickup to your home from select locations. You must call or go online to set up your order and pickup time yourself. Visit Access-a-Ride for more information.

  • Golden Temporary Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

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    Golden, Colo. – March 31, 2020 – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Golden Fire Department (GFD) is imposing temporary Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 4 p.m. The restrictions are in place to reduce the likelihood of the City’s firefighting resources going toward battling wildfires and in turn, creating another opportunity for virus exposure. These restrictions are for the corporate city limits of Golden and are independent but in conjunction with fire restriction orders in Jefferson County.

    All open burning, including bonfires; open flame torches and welding in wildfire risk areas and model rockets are prohibited. Also banned is the use of recreational fires within 30 feet of undeveloped areas including green belts and open space lands. Smoking within six feet of any outdoor area not cleared of combustible vegetation is also prohibited.

    Exceptions to these temporary restrictions include: supervised public fireworks displays by a state licensed operator (subject to specific GFD operational permit requirements); outdoor cooking fires contained within commercial gas fueled grills, enclosed wood or wood pellet grills or smokers; enclosed outdoor fireplaces or chimineas; powered yard equipment for landscape purposes; any federal, state or local law enforcement officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

    The fire restrictions will remain in effect indefinitely. Fire Chief Alicia Welch will continue to monitor the risks associated with COVID-19, state/county/city mandated guidelines, and the weather – and reassess as necessary.


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  • Jeffco Public Health Adopts State Stay at Home Order

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    JCPH: March 26, 2020 - Boulder County Public Health, Jefferson County Public Health and Tri-County Health Department applaud Gov. Polis and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for issuing a Stay at Home PublicHealth Order effective Mar. 26 to protect the health and safety of our communities.

    After much discussion and consideration, our three local health departments have decided to rescind our local level Orders and formally adopt the state’s Order. We believe this action will ensure social distancing requirements are consistent across the state, and that our communities are not confused by multiple Orders.

    For general questions about COVID-19: Community members can call CO-HELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911, or email COHELP@RMPDC.org for answers in English, Spanish, Mandarin and more.

    For more information about COVID-19 in your county:

  • Gov. Polis Announces Statewide Stay-At-Home Order, Provides Update on Colorado Response to COVID-19

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    CENTENNIAL: March 25, 2020 - Gov. Polis announced a statewide stay-at-home order beginning on Thursday, March 26 at 6:00 a.m. and will last until April 11, 2020. The Governor also provided an update on the state’s response to COVID-19 and actions taken to limit the spread of the virus.

    “Coloradans are living through a global pandemic and this decision was made to help save lives,” said Governor Jared Polis. “We will continue doing everything we can to get the resources Colorado needs to address COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of all Coloradans. In true Colorado spirit, we’re seeing our friends, family and neighbors rise to the challenge, donating their time, money or extra supplies to support relief efforts at the state and local levels. We are in this together and this is the season to stay at home to save lives.”

    This executive order means Coloradans should not be leaving their homes except for critical activities including:

    · Obtaining food and other household necessities including medicine

    · Going to and from work if you are a critical employee

    · Seeking medical care

    · Caring for dependents or pets

    · Caring for a vulnerable person in another location

    · Cannabis and liquor stores will remain open

    · Or participating in outdoor recreation at a legally-mandated safe distance of six feet or more from other parties

    Colorado continues facing a shortage of resources in addressing this pandemic, which is why the Governor sent a letter to the Trump administration urging the president to declare a Major Disaster for the State of Colorado. A major disaster declaration would free up resources for medical care, housing, unemployment assistance, crisis counseling, hazard mitigation and more. California, Washington and New York have received these declarations.

    While the state is facing a shortage of resources, Coloradans are stepping up to try and fill the gap. More than 7,000 Coloradans have already signed up to volunteer on www.helpcoloradonow.org, nearly 1,300 of which have medical training. The Colorado COVID Relief Fund has also raised more than $7 million since launching late last week.

    Gov. Polis requested and received dual-status commander authority to ensure unity of command, allowing regular, federal military units to be controlled by a single commander representing the Governor. This will help to eliminate confusion and conflict and allow the state to streamline the utilization of military personnel in this response.

    The Governor announced that the state lab has eliminated its backlog and there will be new labs coming online at the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, University Hospital, and Children’s Hospital. The Governor thanked CSU and CU for their willingness to test the personal protective equipment the private sector is ramping up that the state needs now.

    Governor Polis also provided an update on the federal stimulus package which included $377 billion for small business loans and grants, $1200 in direct cash assistance to Americans based on income eligibility.

    The Governor also provided an update on the Innovation Response Team, introducing two new members: Lucy Sanders and Tim Miller. Lucy is theCEO and a co-founder of the National Center for Women & Information Technologyand will head up Isolation Services. The objective is to provide people who are in self-isolation or home quarantine with critical supplies like food and access to health care, and also ancillary services to make their at-home experience as comfortable as possible. Tim Miller is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rally Software and will head the Software Development Team. The objective is to build applications and web sites for both government and citizens to manage all aspects of the crisis, and provide the state with key data.

    The Governor also noted that the Innovation Response Team is working as hard as they can to identify manufacturers and supply chains, but urged the private sector to help in this effort.


  • Three Metro Denver Public Health Departments Issue Stay-At-Home Orders to Stop Spread of COVID-19

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    For questions about the new Stay-at-Home order, please call JCPH at 303 232-6301 or email HealthEPR@jeffco.us.
    Jefferson County, Colo. — Three public health departments serving more than 2 million residents across the Metro Denver region joined together to issue Stay-At-Home Public Health Orders in their counties today, effective March 26 at 8 a.m. until April 17 unless officials determine it is in the interest of public health to expire at an earlier date and time.

    The departments include Boulder County Public Health, Jefferson County Public Health and Tri-County Health Department (which serves Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties).

    “There is widespread transmission of COVID-19 in the Metro Denver area, and we must take bold actions to stop the spread of this virus,” said John M. Douglas, Jr., MD, executive director of Tri-County Health Department. “With each passing day, we run a growing risk of greater transmission and illness and quickly overwhelming our hospitals, which are really a resource for our entire region and state. When this happens, not everyone may get the care they need. It’s a real possibility in Colorado — and a situation which has already occurred in countries such as Italy — and which is threatening to happen in major U.S. cities in other areas of our country. We understand the toll that measures to address the pandemic are having on our communities, and we want to reassure residents that this step is temporary, and a critical one to get us closer to recovery.”

    These Stay-At-Home Orders are in addition to other recently issued public health orders that promote social distancing, such as those from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. While beneficial, we do not believe they have done enough to slow transmission. The Stay-At-Home Orders go a step further by requiring individuals to do their part by staying at home and away from others. The Public Health Orders require that all people in each county stay at their place of residence, and that they make every effort possible to conduct only essential activities necessary to maintain health and well-being, such as getting groceries, obtaining medical supplies or medication, and/or engaging in outdoor activities like walking, hiking or running while following other social distancing practices. Work to provide essential business and government services or perform essential public infrastructure construction, including housing, is also permitted. People at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick are urged to stay in their residence except to seek medical care.

    “Scientific evidence shows that we must act now, at this stage of the COVID-19 emergency, in order to save lives in the long-run. It will give us the time we need to test comprehensively and to slow the spread of the virus to prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed,” said Jeff Zayach, Boulder County Public Health executive director.

    “The virus is easily spread through person-to-person contact, and the risk of transmission is much greater when people are in close proximity,” said Dr. Mark B. Johnson, Jefferson County Public Health executive director. “This order will help protect everyone in our community by ensuring social distancing measures are followed. By taking this action now, we can start to flatten the pandemic curve.”

    During the stay-at-home period, we encourage our communities to stay connected with one another and take steps to maintain health and well-being. Here are some ideas:

    • Call or video chat with friends, neighbors and family.
    • Go for a walk outside, but keep at least 6 feet away from others.
    • Plan a family game night with people who already live in your home.
    • Read a good book, listen to music or stream a favorite show.
    • Cook a healthy meal.
    • Get a head-start on spring cleaning.
    • Do arts and crafts — get creative and use what’s available in your home

    *This is not a comprehensive list. Please refer to the orders for a complete list of essential activities and services, as well as social distancing requirements.
  • Gov. Polis: Colorado is Leading by Example and Taking Action to Address COVID-19

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    CENTENNIAL: March 22, 2020 - Gov. Polis provided an update on the state’s response to COVID-19. Today he signed an executive order directing all of Colorado’s non-critical employers to reduce their in-person workforce by 50 percent. In accordance with the executive order, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is also issuing a public health order.

    “As long as I am in a position to lead Colorado’s response, I will continue to take bold steps and do everything in my power to protect our medical workers, limit the severity and duration of this crisis, and save the lives of Coloradans,” said Governor Jared Polis. “In the short term, Coloradans must heed this order and take this gravely and seriously. But my team is moving as fast as they can to build a new Colorado paradigm to ensure that we can look more like South Korea’s successful containment strategy, and less like the public health disaster that is crippling Italy right now. The virus is here in our communities and we need to respond. And in a vacuum of federal leadership, others need to step up and here in Colorado we are doing and will do just that.”

    The executive order directs all employers to implement tele-work options to the greatest extent possible. If tele-work is not practical or possible, employers are encouraged to stagger work schedules to reduce the proximity of employees during work hours and to keep employees on payroll.

    This Executive Order does not apply to any employer that can certify that employees are no closer than six feet from one another during any part of their work hours. The state as an employer will be meeting this requirement and less than half of non-24 hour facility jobs will be working from the office.

    The order takes effect on Monday, March 23, 2020 at 8 a.m. and is set to last through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2020. The critical workplaces that are exempt include:
    • Health care operations.
    • Critical Infrastructure, including utilities, fuel supply and transmission, public water, telecommunications, transportation, hotels, organizations that provide for disadvantaged people, and food supply chain.
    • Critical Manufacturing, including food, beverages, chemicals, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, sanitary products, agriculture.
    • Critical Retail, including grocery stores, liquor stores, farms, gas stations, restaurants and bars for takeout, marijuana dispensaries but only for medical or curbside delivery, hardware stores.
    • Critical Services, including trash and recycling, mail, shipping, laundromats, child care, building cleaning and maintenance, auto supply and repair, warehouses/distribution, funeral homes, crematoriums, cemeteries, animal shelters and rescues.
    • News Media.
    • Financial Institutions.
    • Providers of Basic Necessities to Economically Disadvantaged Populations.
    • Construction.
    • Defense.
    • Public Safety Services like law enforcement, fire prevention and response, EMTs, security, disinfection, cleaning, building code enforcement, snow removal, auto repair.
    • Vendors that Provide Critical Services or Products including logistics, child care, tech support, or contractors with critical government services.
    • “Critical Government Functions.”
    On March 5, CDPHE’s public health laboratory confirmed the first presumptive positive COVID-19 test result in Colorado. Since then, the number of confirmed cases has continued to climb. Colorado needs to take these precautions for the preservation of public health and safety throughout our entire State and to ensure our healthcare delivery system can serve those who are sick. Gov. Polis also launched the state’s Innovation Response Team (IRT) to bring together public and private sector resources and innovations to the state’s emergency response to the COVID-19 virus. The Innovation Response team’s initial focus is ramping up a mass testing program for the COVID-19 virus, creating a suite of services for citizens under isolation or quarantine, developing mobile and other technologies to help track the spread of the virus and support infected citizens, and developing locally-sourced alternatives for constrained critical medical supplies. Matt Blumberg, a technology entrepreneur who founded and led Broomfield-based email technology company Return Path for the past 20 years, will serve as Interim Director. The Governor has also appointed Boulder-based Venture Capitalist Brad Feld as the Chairman of the IRT’s Private Sector Task Force. The IRT will be within the State’s Emergency Operations Center command structure and reports to Stan Hilkey, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety. The Governor also thanked everyone who is stepping up in the, #DoingMyPartCO social media challenge, who has donated and signed up to volunteer at HelpColoradoNow.org and who has donated blood. To read the executive order, click here. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will release the public health order. To see frequently asked questions, click here.
  • Golden Community Center Closure Information

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    As the spread of COVID-19 continued to gain momentum, The Golden Community Center proactively closed starting Saturday, March 14 to minimize gatherings and help employees and the public distance themselves from each other.

    On March 16, The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued a public health order to close gyms and other public gathering spaces for 30 days to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The order has since been extended into April, and may be extended further as the situation progresses.

    The public health order will help the state slow and limit the spread of COVID-19 in Colorado communities. In keeping with that order, the Golden Community Center will now be closed until further notice. All classes, programs, rentals and events are cancelled during this time.

    Information for Pass Holders
    • If you have an Annual Pass to the Golden Community Center, your pass is currently suspended and will be extended for the length of the closure.
    • If you have a Monthly Pass, your pass is currently suspended. We will not process any additional monthly payments until after we are able to reopen. In addition, a credit for the second half of March will be applied to your next monthly payment.
    Refunds for classes, programs and events scheduled during this time will be issued in the form of credit to your household account. We ask for your patience with us as we will be processing a much higher volume of refunds than normal and it may take longer. Additional information for specific ongoing programs will be sent to registrants in the coming days.

  • State health department sending testing resources to communities throughout Colorado

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    DENVER, March 20, 2020: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is sending testing resources to specific communities that have not yet had testing that will yield vital information about how the disease is spreading. CDPHE is also strongly advising the public: If you have symptoms (fever, cough, and shortness of breath), don’t wait for a test to self-isolate.

    The State is expanding testing to include a temporary drive-through site at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds at 10165 County Road 120, Salida, CO on Saturday, March 21. The Colorado National Guard and Chaffee County Public Health are supporting these efforts. Chaffee County residents who are symptomatic and have a doctor’s order can show up between noon and 4 p.m. for the test.

    People who come to be tested should know and do the following:

    • Testing is free. Proof of insurance is not required.
    • Bring a written or electronic copy of the doctor’s order. Individuals should not go to their doctor’s office but should call to get an emailed or faxed copy of the order. Bring a form of photo ID (driver’s license, school ID, work badge, etc.) that matches the name on the doctor’s order.
    • If there are multiple people in one vehicle, each person to be tested must have their own doctor’s order.
    • The first 100 people in the queue will have access to the drive-up testing; all other vehicles that arrive after that will be encouraged to seek testing from a private provider. Always call ahead and speak with the health care facility in advance before going there for testing or treatment.
    • Individuals will drive through a secured area and will remain in their vehicles throughout the entire testing process.
    • Be prepared for long wait times. No restrooms will be available. Bring water and other items to be comfortable while waiting.
    • Telephonic interpretation will be available for speakers of other languages.

    CDPHE also plans to send testing resources to other locations next week. CDPHE is prioritizing testing in areas that have not been highly tested to better understand where the disease is occurring and respond. These sites will serve high-risk patients who have been pre-selected by area health care providers. They will not accept walk-up or drive-up patients.

    The state health department is also strongly advising that if you have mild symptoms, stay home and avoid contact with others. Call your health care provider only if your illness becomes more severe, especially if you are experiencing shortness of breath. If you have a medical emergency, call 911 and tell the dispatcher your symptoms. People who are not at high risk of severe illness may not need to be evaluated in person or tested for COVID-19. Not everyone with symptoms will be tested right away.

    If you have mild symptoms, suspect you were exposed, and are either unable to get tested or waiting on test results, please stay home and isolate yourself until:

    • You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (without the use of medicine) AND
    • Other symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) have improved AND
    • At least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

    Anyone in your household you have had close contact with (within six feet for approximately 10 minutes) should self-quarantine for 14 days, even if you haven’t been tested for COVID-19.

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

  • Jefferson County Public Health COVID-19 Update

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    JCPH - March 19, 2020:

    • As of March 19, the CDC reports there have been 10,442 cases of COVID-19 in 54 jurisdictions in the U.S. (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands). There have been 150 deaths in the U.S. to date.
    • Community transmission is increasing across Colorado.
    • There have been 216 cases ofCOVID-19 in Colorado. There have been two confirmed fatalities.
    • There have been 24 cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County. Information is updated on the Jeffco page daily around 5 p.m.
    • On March 18, JCPH, in collaboration with Jefferson County, issued a local public health order on the temporary closure of restaurants, bars and county buildings. This is aligned with the state’s order issued earlier this week.
    • On March 18, in accordance with CDC guidelines, CDPHE issued a public health order prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more people.
    • The Governor signed an executive order suspending in-person learning in public andprivate schools across the state from March 23 to April 17.
    • Jeffco departments have rallied to help compile new information and resources! The JCPH COVID-19 webpage has a few new sections:
      o COVID-19 Case Summary
      o Closure Information (Includes info about county and public health ordered closures).
      o Info for Public Health Partners & Businesses (Technical guidance and support for restaurants, childcares and more).
      o Jeffco Community Resources

  • Gov. Polis Secures Federal Loan Assistance for Colorado’s Small Businesses

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    DENVER - March 19, 2020: Colorado small businesses impacted by COVID-19 can seek individual small business loans up to $2M as part of the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Small businesses throughout all 64 counties may seek SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Governor Jared Polis announced that Colorado’s application for federal disaster area designation has been approved.

    “The economic impact of COVID-19 has been felt across our state. We are committed to protecting public health and safety and will continue fighting to ensure the pain that Colorado’s small businesses are feeling is limited. This critical designation allows small businesses in all 64 Colorado counties to seek federal recovery loans that can help them through this challenging time. I thank the Colorado federal delegation for their efforts to help unlock this assistance,” said Governor Polis.

    The SBA Disaster assistance provides low-interest federal loans for working capital to Colorado small businesses that have realized economic injury from COVID-19. Funding was appropriated through the US congressional Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act.

    “Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade is committed to helping our small businesses access these vital funds,” said Executive Director Betsy Markey. “Eligibility information, loan application links and emerging economic recovery resources can all be found at choosecolorado.com.”

    “Small businesses are the fabric of our economy and their success is dependent on the ability to freely market products and services to communities across the state and world,” said SBA Regional Administrator Dan Nordberg. “Local small businesses are bearing the brunt of that impact and facing a severe decline in customer traffic. SBA’s top priority is to assist businesses adversely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and our Economic Injury Disaster Loans can be the working capital lifelines they need to weather this difficult time.”

    Small businesses, private non-profit organizations, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises impacted by COVID-19 can seek federal loans to pay key needs such as fixed debts, payroll, and accounts payable.
Page last updated: 25 May 2022, 09:23 AM