Jeffco To Take Legal Action Against Bandimere Speedway

JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO — Jeffco Public Health said it will take legal action against the Bandimere Speedway after it hosted the Jet Car Nationals Saturday. The speedway failed to follow court-ordered public health requirements at the event, health officials said.

"We are disappointed in the organization’s ability to limit and manage the crowd size, implement social distancing requirements and adhere to Colorado’s Public Health Order 20-28," the health agency said in a news release.

Jeffco Public Health and Bandimere Speedway "agreed to clear, court-ordered requirements leading up to the event, with the intention of permitting a well-controlled event to proceed," the public health agency said.

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Mark Johnson, Jeffco Public Health's executive director, said the requirements were violated after they were agreed upon.

“We want our businesses, who are pillars in our community, to be able to safely operate,” Johnson said. “At the same time, we are dealing with the most significant public health crisis of our lifetime, and cases of the virus are already starting to increase again in Jeffco.

"We are proud that the large majority of our local businesses are working diligently to keep themselves and others safe. However, when one business does not, it compromises the health and economy of our entire community.”

Gatherings in outdoor venues in excess of 175 people per designated activity are banned, which doesn't mean the entire event itself was limited to 175 guests, health officials said. However, representatives from Jeffco Public Health who attended the event collected evidence that the requirement was still violated, the agency said.

Jeffco Public Health said it's working with the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office to "pursue legal action."

Patch reached out to Bandimere Speedway for comment but did not hear back by deadline.

The speedway's track president, John Bandimere, has made it clear that he disagrees with the statewide health orders.

"This is not a drag race, it's a rally for freedom," he said Saturday. "I pray for Gov. [Jared] Polis that he would get some wisdom."