When Colorado's Stay-At-Home Order Lifts, Guidelines Will Remain

Colorado's stay-at-home order is set to end Sunday, and Denver's order is scheduled to end April 30; however, strict guidelines will remain in place after those dates to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. In a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Jared Polis made it clear that there will not be a "grand reopening" of Colorado.

“This won’t go back to the way we lived our lives in January and February,” Polis said. "If we did, there would be tens of thousands of fatalities.”

“We want to make sure that Coloradans who need to be hospitalized have a fighting chance ... May will look just like April for those over 65 — they are asked to stay at home except when absolutely necessary."

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After the stay-at-home order is over, Coloradans will still be asked to wear masks whenever they leave their homes. No gatherings of more than 10 people will be permitted, and if you’re with anyone other than those you live with, you're asked to maintain social distancing and wear masks.

Coloradans are also asked to recreate near their homes, and avoid unnecessary travel. Those who are walking and biking on trails are asked to wear masks.

Business openings and closings April 27:

• All elementary and high schools will remain closed;
• Gyms will remain closed;
• Restaurants will remain closed for dine-in patrons;
• Retail businesses can open for curbside delivery;
• Nightclubs will remain closed;
• Dental offices can open with extra precautions;
• Hair salons can open with extra precautions;
• Real estate home showings can occur, but open houses cannot;
• Dog grooming services can open with extra precautions;
• Tattoo parlors can open with extra precautions.

Health officials will provide more guidelines over the next few days for retail, dental, real estate and personal services businesses, Polis said.

Office workers who are able to telecommute "absolutely need to" continue working from home, Polis said.

The governor said he's received many questions from the public about why salons are allowed to open, but not restaurants.

"It's mathematical — salons are one-on-one services — this first round [of openings] is one-on-one services," he said.

If Coloradans don't follow the guidelines and wear masks, the state will regress and stricter regulations will have to be enacted, Polis said.

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