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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Colorado News

  • Tri-County Health Department Amends Face Covering Order to Require Masks Indoors Only

    Tri-County Health Department Amends Face Covering Order to Require Masks Indoors Only

    Today, April 5, 2021, the Tri-County Health Department (TCHD) amended its face covering order currently in place for Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas counties to remove the requirement that face coverings be worn in outdoor public spaces. The TCHD order will remain in place until June 30, 2021, unless rescinded, amended, or extended.

    “We’re not out of the woods yet,” said John M. Douglas, Jr., MD, Executive Director of Tri-County Health Department. “Until every person has had the opportunity to get the COVID-19 vaccine, many in our communities remain at risk for serious illness from this virus. By continuing to wear face coverings we can protect our friends and loved ones and minimize the impact that outbreaks have on our schools and businesses.”

    Increasing spread of potentially more severe and contagious variant strains and changes in individual behaviors are major sources of uncertainty at this point in the pandemic. According to modeling done by the Colorado School of Public Health in the last week of March, approximately 27% of Coloradans are currently immune due to vaccination and/or prior infection. While about 68% of Coloradans age 65 years and older are estimated to be immune and hospitalizations of older adults has declined, modeling suggests that continuing to maintain prevention behaviors such as wearing face coverings when in public spaces can prevent large numbers of deaths and hospitalizations.  Mask-wearing will be especially important as our businesses are allowed to more fully re-open over the next six weeks.

    The face covering order requires that individuals older than ten years old must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when entering or within any public indoor space. In addition, parents, custodians, and caregivers are strongly encouraged to have their children between two and ten years old wear a face covering, with supervision. A key update from the original face covering public health order which was issued on July 24, 2020, is that the requirement for use of face coverings outdoors when within six feet of another person has been removed.

    The Colorado face covering order specifies in which public areas a face covering must be worn and permits public health agencies to adjust their face covering requirements if counties are in level Green on the Colorado COVID Dial. The TCHD face covering order requires face coverings in all public indoor spaces and regardless of the position of a county on the state Dial.

    This order is currently relevant to all parts of Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas counties that did not opt out of the order*.  In addition, any county or municipality in the Tri-County Health Department jurisdiction that previously opted out of the face covering order may opt back in at any time.

    Face coverings should be worn regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, except in situations exempted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Following all precautions, including wearing a mask and keeping social distance of at least six feet from others is still very important, particularly when visiting unvaccinated people from multiple households or anyone who is at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease.

    “We are still learning more about the question of whether vaccinated people can transmit the virus to others. So, for now, it’s important to wear a mask and keep a safe distance to stop further spread,” said Douglas.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that mask mandates may reduce community-wide COVID-19 transmission and hospitalizations due to COVID-19. A face covering mandate can work in concert with social distancing and frequent hand washing protocols to minimize the spread of COVID-19 by reducing the exposure of individuals to the virus and by reducing the spread of respiratory droplets.

     

    In addition to wearing masks, the spread of the virus can be reduced or prevented through social distancing, testing, isolation if a person is sick, quarantine if a person has been exposed, case investigation, contact tracing, and vaccination. For more information visit www.tchd.org/covid. 

    * Jurisdictions that have opted out of the TCHD order include:

    The following jurisdictions have opted out of the requirements of this order:

    Arapahoe County East of Watkins Road to county line

    Douglas County

    City of Castle Pines

    City of Glendale

    Columbine Valley

    Town of Bennett

    Town of Castle Rock

    Town of Deer Trail

    Town of Parker

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  • State updates public health order

    State updates public health order

    Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) released an amended public health order that provides updates to the COVID-19 dial framework.

    Some key changes include:

    • Clarifying that 6 feet distancing from non-household members remains required in Level Green.
    • Specifying that only unseated, rather than seated, Indoor Events are subject to the 50% capacity limit not to exceed 500 people in Level Green.
    • Authorizing counties in Level Green to determine masks requirements as authorized in Executive Order D 2021 079.
    • Authorizing seated Indoor Events in Level Green to operate at 100% capacity with 6 feet distancing, allowing seating of up to 10 people together including non-household members, and requiring organizers or operators of any such events that exceed 500 people to consult with CDPHE.
    • Updating to allow seated Indoor Events in Level Blue to seat up to 10 people together including non-household members, and require organizers or operators of any such events that exceed 500 people to consult with CDPHE.
    • Clarifying that Bars in Level Blue may operate and are not required to sell or provide food.
    • Removing the prohibition on dance floors and games in Restaurants and Bars.

    Read a full summary of changes, and review the updated capacity charts in English and Spanish. 

    Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.

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  • More than one million Coloradans are fully vaccinated

    More than one million Coloradans are fully vaccinated

    REMOTE, (April 1, 2021): Colorado is proud to announce, in collaboration with more than 1100 vaccine providers, the state has reached the one million mark of people fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. The milestone came yesterday as the state moves into Phase 2 of vaccine distribution tomorrow.

    “It’s great news to reach this milestone,” said Scott Sherman, Brigadier General, CO Nat. Guard and director of the UCC Vaccine Joint Task Force. “Each vaccine is a step toward getting back to normal — but we can’t stop now. We are focused on ensuring that every Coloradan who wants a vaccine will be able to receive the first dose by the end of May.” 

    All Coloradans over the age of 16 who want a vaccine can get one starting Friday. The state has launched six community vaccination clinics across the state to help with vaccine administration and access. Our website has sign up information for these clinics and providers throughout the state. 

    Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.

     

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  • National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)

    National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)

     
     

    The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the Lakewood Police Department in Colorado are seeking the public’s help to find this missing 17-year old girl. 

    Anniebell: 5’5″ tall, 160 lbs, with brown hair and blue eyes. 

    Anniebell Donahoe was last seen at her home in Lakewood on March 20, 2021 and hasn’t been seen or heard from in 11 days. She may be in need of medical attention.

    Here is a video on Anniebell’s case provided by NCMEC https://vimeo.com/531262955/fd79b29806

    If anyone has onformation about Anniebell Donahoe, you are urged to contact the Lakewood Police Department at 1-303-980-7300, or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE- LOST, that’s 1-800-843-5678. 

    Anniebell’s missing poster can be found here: https://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1416045/1/screenhttps://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1416045/1/screen

     

     

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  • Governor Polis Announces All Coloradans 16+ Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine Starting April 2

    Governor Polis Announces All Coloradans 16+ Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine Starting April 2

    DENVER – Today, Governor Jared Polis announced that starting this Friday, April 2nd, all Coloradans over the age of 16 will be eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine, and all Coloradans over the age of 18 will be eligible to receive the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The Governor shared that the State anticipates that everyone who wants it will have access to the vaccine before the end of May. He was joined by Brigadier General Scott Sherman to discuss the next phase of vaccine distribution. 

     

    “Each vaccine is a step towards getting back to normal. Today is a monumental step forward in Colorado’s efforts to get vaccines to every person who wants one, and I want to thank our frontline heroes — both professional and volunteer — who have stepped up, racing to get shots into arms,” said Governor Jared Polis. “This is one of the greatest feats in human history, and we couldn’t have gotten to where we are now without their tireless efforts. Soon everyone in our state will be able to get the protection they need, but it’s going to take some time. It could be next week, it could be in five weeks. So while availability opens to everyone this Friday, April 2nd, be patient and know that your time will come.”

     

    Currently, 70% of all Coloradans 60 and older have been vaccinated, including 79% of all Coloradans 70 and older, 71% of Coloradans 65-69, and 53% of Colordans 60-64. More than 1.5 million (1,579,599) Coloradans have received their first dose of tha vaccine, and almost 1 million (999,618) have been fully immunized. 

     

    In order to meet its ambitious vaccination goals and get shots into arms as quickly as possible, Colorado has launched five Vaccines for All Community Vaccination Sites. Depending on supply, a maximum of 6,000 doses per day will be administered at each site, six days per week, for a total of 36,000 doses administered each week through the program. To date, 35,322 doses have been administered through these sites.

     

    In the last two weeks, Governor Polis joined the launch of the Broadmoor World Arena site in Colorado Springs, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, and The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland. Five locations are open in five counties, and starting April 1 the state will partner with Denver County to launch a site at Ball Arena. Information about the community vaccination sites can be found below:

     

     

    Colorado also has numerous strategies in place to narrow gaps in vaccine distribution. In addition to standing up Community Vaccination Sites, the State’s Equity Outreach Team is working directly with community-based organizations, providers, local public health agencies, and Tribes to set up vaccine clinics in underserved communities across the state. As of today, 111 clinics have been completed, with 10-12 clinics completed per week on average. More than 75 clinics scheduled through April 6th are expected to administer 30,400+ doses.

     

    Finally, Governor Polis announced that Colorado will be launching mobile vaccine clinics to create even more access for Coloradans in the coming weeks. These buses will travel to small communities and meet Coloradans where they are. More information will be coming as these clinics come online. 

     

    The Governor delivered this good news with the caveat that this is still a time for caution. New cases and hospitalizations are holding steady, but emerging COVID-19 variants are cause for concern. For Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, it typically takes two weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. That means you can be infected from exposure to COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination. 

     

    Please view the press conference on the Governor’s Facebook page. 

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  • Boulder Muslim Community Fears Backlash After Alleged Mass Shooter’s Name Released

    Boulder Muslim Community Fears Backlash After Alleged Mass Shooter’s Name Released

    By Natalia V. Navarro, CPR News

    Fear of religious-based backlash after the mass shooting in Boulder on Monday has forced the city’s Muslim community center to take security precautions, including temporarily suspending daily prayer services.

    “The person who murdered 10 people at King Soopers in Boulder does not represent the Muslim community,” said Tracy Smith with the Islamic Center of Boulder at a city council meeting Wednesday. “He doesn’t represent Islam. He just happens to have a Muslim name.”

    The alleged shooter’s name, Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, has stirred anti-Muslim sentiments in the community, Smith said. It’s unknown whether Alissa practices any religion and no evidence he practices Islam specifically.

    “I have spoken to some who are afraid to leave the house,” she said. “Others are changing up the past of their daily walks women who are fearful of wearing their hijabs in public and men with beards who feel they’re going to be targeted because of an increased threat of backlash.”

    Smith said her community wants to keep the focus on remembering those lost, but that the Islamic Center of Boulder has received an outpouring of support over the last week.

    It’s unclear when services will resume.

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  • Upcoming full weekend closure of Quebec Street under I-70

    Upcoming full weekend closure of Quebec Street under I-70

    The eastbound I-70 off-ramp to Quebec will also be closed as part of this work

    DENVER — As part of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Central 70 Project, Quebec Street under Interstate 70 and the eastbound I-70 off-ramp to Quebec Street will close from 10 p.m., Friday, March 26, to 5 a.m, Monday, March 29. This closure is necessary so crews can remove the top layer of asphalt and repave the roadway. 

    TRAFFIC IMPACTS:

    • Full closure of Quebec Street under I-70 and the eastbound I-70 off-ramp to Quebec Street  – 10 p.m., Friday, March 26, to 5 a.m., Monday, March 29 
      • Motorists traveling northbound will use the Quebec Street on-ramp to eastbound I-70, exit at Central Park Boulevard, travel north to the Central Park Boulevard on-ramp, and exit at the westbound I-70 off-ramp to Quebec Street
      • Motorists traveling southbound on Quebec Street will take the Quebec Street on-ramp to Stapleton North Drive, turn left on Holly Street, turn left to Smith Road and exit at Quebec Street

    This work is weather-dependent and subject to change. 

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  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approves new pass for state wildlife areas

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approves new pass for state wildlife areas

    DENVER – At its virtual meeting last week, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted unanimously to approve a new Colorado State Wildlife Area Pass as an option to access state wildlife areas. The new pass will go on sale May 1, 2021. 

    “This is an important step in ensuring everyone who visits our state wildlife areas is contributing to their management and maintenance,” said CPW Director Dan Prenzlow.  

    The annual Colorado SWA Pass will be available on May 1, 2021 by visiting any CPW office or online at cpwshop.com. The pass will be priced similarly to a resident annual fishing license and revenue from the new SWA pass will be used to manage and maintain SWAs. 

    Colorado State Wildlife Area Pass

    annual: $36.08*

    1 day: $9

    Youth (ages 16-17) annual: $10.07

    Senior (ages 65 and older) annual: $10.07

    Low-income annual: $10.07

    (Fees include a $1.50 Wildlife Education Fund surcharge)

    *Plus a fee of $10.40 for a Colorado Wildlife Habitat Stamp

    The annual pass is valid from March 1 – March 31 of the following year, also aligning with the 13-month season for fishing licenses in Colorado.

    History and funding of state wildlife areas in Colorado

    CPW now manages more than 350 SWAs, all set aside to conserve wildlife habitat with dollars from hunting and angling licenses. Those funds are also matched with federal income from the excise taxes collected on the sale of hunting and fishing equipment.

    While these properties have been identified as critical wildlife habitat, over the years they have also gained significant value for outdoor recreationists.

    Because these properties have always been open to the public, not just to the hunters and anglers that purchased them and pay for their maintenance, many people now visit these properties and use them as they would any other public land.

    As Colorado’s population – and desire for outdoor recreation – has continued to grow, a significant increase in traffic to these SWAs has disrupted wildlife, the habitat the areas were acquired to protect, and the hunters and anglers whose contributions were critical to acquiring these properties. 

    That’s why in July of 2020, new regulations went into effect requiring all visitors 18 or older to possess a valid hunting or fishing license to access any SWA leased by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

    CPW had historically been bound by stringent guidance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on how income earned from these properties could be accounted for, making the creation of another kind of pass to access these areas financially unfeasible. But in late 2020, CPW received approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a new accounting approach that made adding a pass as an option for access to these properties feasible.

    In November 2020, an SWA Working Group was created with CPW staff and stakeholders from around the state to determine what a new pass might look like.

    A new State Wildlife Area Pass

    At its January 2021 meeting, the CPW Commission heard recommendations from the SWA Working Group on creating a new Colorado SWA Pass.

    Recommendations:

    The group recommended pricing the annual pass at a similar level to the annual fishing license, offering discounted passes to youth and seniors priced comparably to youth and senior fishing licenses, offering a 1-day pass option priced comparably to the 1-day parks pass, requiring a Habitat Stamp and a surcharge for the Wildlife Management Public Education Fund in addition to the pass, and offering a discounted low-income annual pass option. The age at which a hunting license, fishing license or SWA pass is required to access SWAs was reduced to all persons 16 years and older to better correspond to the youth pass and license options.

    Now that the Colorado SWA Pass is available, the SWA Working Group will move into Phase II of its work, completing an audit of all Colorado’s SWAs to determine which properties may require additional restrictions on allowed activities, seasonal closures for wildlife, and reviews to determine if the property is still meeting its intended purpose as a wildlife area.  

    More information and SWA FAQ about CPW’s state wildlife areas is available on CPW’s website.

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  • Gov. Polis, in Partnership with Adams County and Centura Health, to Launch Community Vaccination Site at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

    Gov. Polis, in Partnership with Adams County and Centura Health, to Launch Community Vaccination Site at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

    DENVER – On Monday, March 22, as part of his Vaccines for All effort, the Governor will be launching the State Community Vaccination Site at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City. The contract to operate the site has been awarded to Centura Health. The site will be a drive-through site and will start by providing 2,000 vaccines per day. The facility will be able to conduct 3,000 vaccinations per day with the ability to scale to 6,000 vaccinations per day once there is enough vaccine supply. All vaccines are free with no co-pay.

    The drive-through clinic will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Individuals who are eligible to receive the vaccine can register here or by calling 720-263-5737. Starting today, all Coloradans age 50 and older are eligible.

    The Polis-Primavera administration is partnering with providers and local communities to stand up community vaccination sites to ensure the COVID-19 vaccine is administered equitably and efficiently as vaccine eligibility expands. In addition to the site being launched at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, the State is launching another Community Vaccination Site at the State Fairgrounds in Pueblo. On March 17, the State launched two other Community Vaccination Sites in Colorado Springs at the Broadmoor World Arena and in Mesa County at the Grand Junction Convention Center. There will be an additional site coming online in Denver County at the Ball Arena in the coming weeks. 

    WHAT: Gov. Polis will stop by State Community Vaccination Site in Commerce City, 

    operated in partnership with Adams County and Centura Health. He will be 

    available for press interviews. 

    WHERE: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

    6000 Victory Way, Commerce City, CO 80022

    WHEN: Monday, March 22, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.

    **If you are a member of the media interested in covering this event, please contact to RSVP. 

    ABOUT CENTURA HEALTH

    Centura Health connects individuals, families and neighborhoods across Colorado and western Kansas with more than 6,000 physicians and 21,000 of the best hearts and minds in health care. Through our 17 hospitals, two senior living communities, neighborhood health centers, physician practices and clinics, home care and hospice services, and Flight For Life® Colorado, our caregivers make the region’s best health care accessible. We’re on a mission to build flourishing communities and whole person care. We’re Centura Health, and we’re your dedicated health partner for life. For information on Centura Health or any of the facilities in our network, please visit the Centura Health website.

     

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  • Colorado invests $20 million of general fund into state park capital improvements

    Colorado invests $20 million of general fund into state park capital improvements

    DENVER – Today, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is pleased to announce that Governor Polis signed bill SB21-112 that appropriates $20 million of the state general fund for capital improvements for increased access at certain state parks. The bill is a component of a bipartisan stimulus effort developed by the Governor and the General Assembly to jumpstart Colorado’s economy through investments in infrastructure projects.

    This conservation-focused legislation will help direct funds to outdoor projects in Colorado that protect irreplaceable public lands and expand outdoor recreation opportunities in the state. The bill was signed at Cherry Creek State Park, one of the parks that will receive funding to expand park facilities, which includes the construction of a new educational center facility and modernize restroom amenities at the swim beach.

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado state parks saw explosive growth in park attendance as Colorado residents and out-of-state visitors sought outdoor and socially distanced activities. State parks usage grew by 2.2 million visitor days from the 2014-15 state fiscal year and a further 30 percent during the spring of 2020.

    CPW will use the additional funding toward park enhancements and expansions necessary to meet the needs of park visitors and upgrade infrastructures to ensure Colorado state parks offer quality outdoor adventures for current and future generations. Examples of park projects will include building new trails, service buildings, campgrounds and shooting bays. 

    “Throughout the pandemic, we watched our Colorado community flock to our state parks in record numbers for solace and the mental and health benefits associated with spending time outdoors,” said Governor Jared Polis. “The increase in park visitation proves the importance of outdoor spaces to Coloradans, and our collective need to invest in preserving and improving our state park system so our human use does not overwhelm our state’s natural resources. This increased funding, which is part of Colorado’s bipartisan stimulus package, will provide additional access and recreational opportunities that connect people to the outdoors and protect the landscapes that make Colorado so spectacular.”

    Accelerating the development of Colorado’s newest state park, Fishers Peak State Park, and improving amenities at eleven other state parks will relieve pressure from such high usage and prepare for future demand.

    “I applaud the leadership of the Governor and state legislators for the additional critical funding for our treasured state parks,” said Dan Gibbs, Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “The importance of our state parks and visiting our vast Great Outdoors has never been more important than today. This targeted funding will enhance Coloradan’s visitor experience to our state parks for generations to come.” 

    CPW will use the appropriation for capital construction projects at the following locations:

    • Boyd Lake State Park
    • Lake Pueblo State Park
    • Fishers Peak State Park
    • Cherry Creek State Park
    • Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
    • Ridgway State Park
    • Steamboat Lake State Park
    • North Sterling State Park
    • Chatfield State Park
    • Jackson Lake State Park
    • Navajo State Park
    • Cameo Shooting and Education Complex

    “We all have an obligation to our lands, waters and wildlife to recreate responsibly and monitor how our increased outdoor activities impact the places we play,” said CPW Director Dan Prenzlow. “More Coloradans are enjoying our great outdoors – and this additional funding will help our agency expand park facilities based on the evolving needs of our park visitors to ensure we can maintain a quality park system for years to come.”

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife currently manages Colorado’s 42 state parks. State parks offer important places for outdoor recreation while also benefiting local economies, public health and residents’ quality of life. Public funding for state parks provides valuable contributions to conserving state lands for future generations.

    CPW remains committed to collaborating with statewide conservation stakeholders and recreation partners to help secure a quality park system and successful wildlife legacy for Colorado. To learn more about CPW’s conservation principles and priorities, visit cpw.state.co.us. 

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