Colorado Politics

Gov. Jared Polis extends mask mandate another 30 days

Gov. Jared Polis has extended, once again, the mandate on masks and other face coverings for another 30 days.

The original order for all Coloradans to wear masks in public places was issued July 17, 2020 and has been extended about every 30 days since then. At the time Polis issued the original order, 39 counties and municipalities already had issued their own mask orders. Those 10 and under are not required to wear a mask, and exceptions also exist for those who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons. 

Additional exceptions include: those who are hearing impaired or communicating with someone who is hearing impaired and where the ability to see the mouth is essential to communication; those seated at restaurants and other food establishments, although masks must be worn once leaving the table; taking a mask off for purposes of identification; officiants at religious services, and those giving a speech for broadcast or to an audience.

Thirty-seven states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico also require masks in public. AARP reported Thursday that two states that had mask mandates – North Dakota and Mississippi – have since lifted those orders. North Dakota’s face-covering rule expired Jan. 18; and while Mississippi’s order lapsed Sept. 30, “Gov. Tate Reeves has since instituted a partial mask order covering counties with high rates of COVID-19 transmission.”

The Grizzly Rose nightclub was ordered closed earlier this week by Tri-County Health for not requiring masks, and Tri-County indicated it’s been a repeat violation.

RELATED: Grizzly Rose shut down indefinitely by health department following video of large crowds

Brian Hlavacek, Tri-County’s director of environmental health, told KDVR this week that they’re looking for compliance. But if they issue a closure order, “there’s been some sort of significant repeated non-compliance of the public health orders.”

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, center, wears a face mask as he heads into a news conference to talk about the state’s efforts to check the spread of coronavirus Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski

PREV

PREVIOUS

SONDERMANN | Random reflections from the road

Eric Sondermann With apologies to John Steinbeck, perhaps we can call this column, “Travels with Eric. And Tracy.” In mid-December, my wife and I left the relative isolation of too many months and embarked on a cross-country road trip in a rented RV. Beyond stretching our elbows, the major purpose was to spend the holidays […]

NEXT

NEXT UP

Denver's group living proposal draws heated opposition while proponents call it necessary for affordable housing

During her eight months living in “the collective,” as she called it, Athena Landy remembered there being anywhere from eight to 15 people in the house. “Every other Sunday, everybody is required to get together to have a house meeting to do chores, to talk about things around the house that needs fixing,” she described. […]


Welcome Back.

Streak: 9 days i

Stories you've missed since your last login:

Stories you've saved for later:

Recommended stories based on your interests:

Edit my interests