Denver St. Patrick's Day Parade Canceled Amid Coronavirus Fears

DENVER, CO — Denver's St. Patrick's Day Parade has been canceled amid concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus.

"The health and safety of parade participants and attendees is our highest priority every year, and the call to cancel the 2020 parade was made out of an abundance of caution for the public health of all those who join us every year to celebrate this annual tradition," read a post on the parade's Facebook page.

"Our hearts are saddened by this difficult, but appropriate decision due to the countless hours invested by our committee members. "

The parade's board of directors said it has a plan in place to contact all participants, sponsors, volunteers and vendors.

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Gov. Jared Polis has declared a state of emergency after 15 presumptive cases of the new coronavirus have been confirmed in Colorado. The latest cases were found in Arapahoe, Gunnison, Denver, Larimer and Eagle counties.

"We're going to get through this together, but the actions that we take in the next few days and weeks will really determine the trajectory of coronavirus in Colorado," Polis said during a news conference Tuesday.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said Monday that the St. Patrick's Day Parade wouldn't be canceled; however parade organizers said they are trying to do everything they can to keep the public safe.