Denver Issues Stay-At-Home Order Amid Coronavirus Spread

DENVER — Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announced a stay-at home order Monday afternoon in an effort to combat the spread of the new coronavirus.

Denver residents will still be able to leave their homes to get groceries, medicine and gas, but the order aims to further implement social distancing in the city. People who work in essential services are exempt from the order.

"This isn't a recommendation anymore," Hancock said. "People need to stay at home."

The order will take effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday and last until April 10, Hancock said.

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Denver residents will also be able to go outside to get exercise — as long as they adhere to the social distancing rules of at least 6 feet. No picnics, sports games or other activities that put social distancing at risk will be permitted.

Playgrounds in Denver will close, and park rangers will "inform and educate people" who are seen using playgrounds and those who aren't adhering to social distancing rules, Hancock said.

Denver residents will still be able to pick up food orders from restaurants under the new order.

The order was later updated to allow liquor and marijuana stores to stay open if they adhere to "extreme" social distancing rules. All construction operations and projects will also be exempt from the new order, the city said.

Denver, which has the densest population in the state, needed to "lead the way" and be the first city to issue the stay-at-home order, the mayor said.

As of Monday afternoon, when the latest government data was available, 148 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Denver.

Gov. Jared Polis issued an order Sunday for all non-critical workplaces to reduce their in-person workforces by 50 percent. He said every workforce — including critical ones — need to allow their employees to work from home as much as possible.

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