Boulder County Moves To 'Level Orange': What To Know

BOULDER COUNTY, CO — Boulder County is moving to Safer at Home Level Orange on Colorado's COVID-19 Dial, public health officials announced Wednesday. The new restrictions will take effect Friday.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment notified Boulder County Public Health of the shift Wednesday. The decision was made after a "rapid increase" in new cases, public health officials said.

“This is devastating, especially because we know that we can prevent the transmission of this virus and this change will impact our businesses severely, as well as our social and emotional health," said Jeff Zayach, Boulder County Public Health executive director.

"This comes down to all of us taking personal responsibility to avoid social gatherings, wear a mask, maintain at least feet of physical distance and to be diligent about washing hands."

Don't miss the latest coronavirus updates from health and government officials in Boulder: Free Newsletters and Email Alerts | Facebook | Twitter

New cases of COVID-19 among Boulder County residents in the past two weeks is 312.1 per 100,000, according to the county's public health dashboard. Safer at Home Level Orange begins at 175 cases per a population of 100,000; Stay at Home begins at 350 cases per 100,000.

The five-day rolling average of daily cases among county residents is 98 cases per day, which is higher than any other time except the University of Colorado Boulder surge since the start of the pandemic, public health officials said.

Previously called 'Level 3,' the new 'Level Orange' includes the following capacity restrictions:

• 25 percent or 50 people at restaurants, places of worship and non-critical manufacturing
• Offices and retail: 25 percent
• 25 percent or 25 people at gyms/fitness centers (groups of up to 10 outdoors), personal services and limited health care settings
• 25 percent or 50 people, whichever is fewer, with space calculator at indoor events
• 25 percent or 75 people, whichever is fewer with space calculator at outdoor events
• 25 percent or 10 people at outdoor guided services
• Virtual or outdoors in groups of less than 10 at group sports and camps

While personal gatherings will continue to be limited to 10 people from no more than two households —with face coverings and social distancing required indoors and when within 6 feet of others — public health officials urged residents to avoid all gatherings, for now.

“This is not the time for social gatherings. We need to be diligent to prevent further restrictions from being applied to Boulder County," Zayach said.

"Please, take a hiatus from socializing for now, stay home if you’re sick, and strictly follow isolation and quarantine guidance if you test positive or are exposed. If we don’t, our businesses may not be able to stay afloat."

At Safer at Home Level Orange, remote, hybrid, or limited in-person learning, as appropriate, is suggested for K-12 and higher education, officials said. In-person learning for preschool through grade 12 schools is now defined as 'critical business' and ensures that local districts can determine how to structure the format of education based on local factors.

"Boulder County Public Health will continue to follow CDPHE guidance and support the models currently in place at Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley school districts in order to support learning, mental health and employment for local families," the county said in a news release.

"Each district and school has layers of protection in place (e.g. staggered drop-offs, masking, cohorting etc.) that make the environment more protective than other public environments."