Broomfield Moves to Level Red: Severe Risk Per State Orders

The City and County of Broomfield, along with several neighboring counties, will be moved by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to Level Red: Severe Risk on the updated COVID-19 Dial Framework, effective at 5 p.m. Nov. 20, 2020, due to rising rates of COVID-19 cases in the area and the anticipated surge on hospital capacity. 

As described in this letter, the State requires Broomfield to implement the following restrictions, also listed here, across all sectors as described in the updated Public Health Order, as amended. 

• Personal gatherings outside of your own household are prohibited

• Restaurants: In-person dining prohibited. Outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery services may continue with last call for on-premise alcohol services at 8 p.m.

• Gyms/Indoor Recreation Services: Limited to 10% or ten people per room, reservations required

• Indoor Events: Prohibited

• Non-Critical Office-Based Businesses: Reduced to 10% of employees working in-person

• Critical and Non-Critical Retail: May operate at 50% capacity with dedicated hours for at-risk populations. Curbside services encouraged.
  
  

There are no changes to places of worship, personal services (e.g.: salons), non-critical manufacturing, limited health care settings (e.g.: acupuncture), or outdoor events and these sectors will operate under the same restrictions as Level Orange. 

“The speed this virus is spreading in our community is terrifying and we must act now as a county and region” said Public Health Director Jason Vahling. “As devastating as this will be, the health of employees, our residents, and our most vulnerable is what keeps me up at night. With the upcoming cold weather and the Thanksgiving Holiday, we must get the transmission under control to avoid an even worse surge over the December Holidays and New Year.” 

A re-evaluation with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is planned the week of Dec. 18. At that time, they will review Broomfield’s metrics and determine if fewer or additional restrictions will be necessary. 

Please see a Quick View of where Broomfield is now compared to where it needs to be to move back to Level Orange restrictions and see more detailed information through Broomfield’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard. 

“We understand this is an extremely difficult situation that impacts businesses and our residents and we don’t take it lightly,” said Vahling, “However, the trends are dire and the time to act is now to avoid the hospital surge we see happening in other states.” 

Starting Monday, Nov. 23, as a proactive measure, Broomfield’s City and County Buildings will return to a ‘By Appointment’ model to further prevent the spread and to protect the health and safety of our community and employees. While open only for limited in-person appointments, the community is encouraged to look for enhanced programs and services available to support residents during these tough times. 

• More virtual programs & classes 
• More curbside pickup options & activities 
• Continued appointments at the recreation centers and pools 
• Continued essential delivery services for seniors and vulnerable populations
• Continued public services at the Broomfield Library with slightly reduced hours (Monday - Thursday 10 a.m.- 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with a daily closure from 1 p.m.- 2 p.m. for cleaning) 

You can help stop the spread and reduce restrictions by limiting in-person interactions to your household, following the 3W’s (Wear a mask, Watch your distance, and Wash your hands), and if you have symptoms or think you may have been exposed, following isolation and quarantine safety precautions. 

Join us for more information and to ask your questions at a Telephone Town Hall on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. by calling 855.695.3744 or listening to the livestream on Channel 8 on Comcast customer television, or through TheBroomfieldChannel.com. 

The State also announced a sixth level, Level Purple: Extreme Risk, will be added to the dial, representing when hospital capacity risks being breached and most businesses and indoor services must be closed. 

Information about COVID-19 in Broomfield can be found at Broomfield.org/COVID. 

The state sets capacity limits for counties based on the Dial Framework, and where a county falls in the Dial Framework is determined by key metrics.