Arapahoe County Government: Five-Star Certified Businesses Move Closer To Level Blue Restrictions

Press release from the Arapahoe County Government:

February 26, 2021

On Friday, Governor Polis announced that Colorado will have vaccinated 70% of the state’s 70-and-over population, likely by the end of this weekend. Once the state has crossed this threshold, all Arapahoe County Five-Star certified businesses will be able to operate at Level Blue restrictions. This means that, for example, approved gyms and fitness centers can welcome up to 175 customers instead of the maximum of 50 that is permitted under Level Yellow restrictions.

In a related development, given the governor’s recent changes to the state’s dial dashboard, and after reviewing feedback from the County’s Five-Star certified businesses, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has temporarily suspended new applications to its Five-Star Recovery Partner Program. Businesses that have already been certified, or that are in the application and approval process, will maintain their certification status.

The BOCC made this decision because of the imminent move to Level Blue status, noting that Five-Star certification would have a limited effect on newly approved businesses’ capacity limits or expansions. The Five-Star certification still serves as a “seal of approval” regardless of dial levels, as it demonstrates that these businesses are taking every possible measure to keep their customers and their staff as safe and healthy as possible.

Please note that should the COVID situation deteriorate in the County or across Colorado at any time in the future, Five-Star certifications will help businesses remain open with the fewest possible restrictions, and the BOCC will reopen the application process as needed.

If you have any questions, please email 5star@arapahoegov.com or visit ArapahoeGov.com/FiveStar for more information.

This press release was produced by the Arapahoe County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.