Denver Issues Revised Face Covering Order

DENVER, CO — Denver's face covering order has been revised, public health officials announced Tuesday.

The update comes after Gov. Jared Polis issued an executive order Thursday that mandates Coloradans wear masks when they are in all indoor public spaces.

The city’s revised order "aligns with the new statewide mask order," health officials said; however, there are some exceptions and additional restrictions:

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• Denver will continue to mandate face coverings for all people three years of age or older (with some specific exemptions) until further notice — the state order moved this mandate to 11 years of age.
• Owners, operators, or managers of public indoor spaces in Denver must post signs in a "conspicuous place" at every public entrance to the business and restrict access for people who are not complying with the face covering requirement, the agency said. Signs must be clearly visible to the public and must use a city-provided template in a size not fewer than 11 inches wide and 14 inches in height, officials said. Signs must be posted by July 28.
• The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment will enhance enforcement efforts by providing additional staffing for response and coverage to evaluate compliance of "high-risk social settings," the agency said. Businesses will be ticketed (a court summons) if an employee does not wear a face covering or if 10 percent of customers are not wearing face coverings, officials said.
• Bars, restaurants and other facilities may be cited and closed if individual parties are not clearly separated by the required spacing or customers are not wearing face coverings as required, officials said.

People and businesses may be issued a ticket with the potential for a $999 fine or 300 days in jail per violation for non-compliance of the updated order, officials said.

Bob McDonald, executive director of Denver’s Department of Public Health and Environment, said that wearing face coverings and adhering to social distancing guidelines are "essential to keeping Denver open."

“There’s a lot we don’t have within our control regarding COVID-19 but wearing a mask and physically distancing are things each of us can do to prevent the spread of the virus in our community," McDonald said in a statement.

"How do we help keep our businesses open and avoid another shutdown? Wear your mask, maintain six feet of social distance, and keep gatherings small.”

Denver’s revised face-covering order will remain in effect until further notice, officials said.