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  • Gov. Polis Provides Update on Colorado’s Response to COVID-19, Emphasizes Importance of Staying Home with Lt. Gov. Primavera

    Gov. Polis Provides Update on Colorado’s Response to COVID-19, Emphasizes Importance of Staying Home with Lt. Gov. Primavera

    DENVER – Gov. Polis today provided an update on the state’s response to COVID-19 and highlighted the importance of staying home. The Governor was joined remotely by Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera, who like many Coloradans has been working remotely during the pandemic. 

    “Coloradans must remember that we are not out of the woods yet and this pandemic is still very much with us in our communities.  If we want to continue moving forward, we have to remain vigilant, and continue staying home as much as possible or in our great outdoors, and follow social distancing requirements like wearing masks and washing our hands,” said Governor Jared Polis. “I will continue working with the legislature on building a resilient response, from a health perspective and economic perspective, for Colorado in the face of this pandemic. We’re all in this together, and the way we’re going to get through it is by doing right by one another.”

    “I know this is a difficult time for so many Coloradans, but it’s critical that we all continue taking the necessary precautions like wearing masks when leaving the house, washing our hands, and staying home as much as we can,” said Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera. “As a four-time cancer survivor and someone who is over 60, I fall into two risk categories and have been working remotely during the pandemic. Though I feel as strong and healthy as ever, I want to do everything I can to protect my family,myself and my community. It hasn’t been easy, and I know many others are going through something similar. We can cope by getting outdoors to exercise or doing Zoom calls with the grandkids. We also must remember that we are all together in this.”

    The Governor also provided an update on the legislative session and thanked the Joint Budget Committee for their work on the state budget. Gov. Polis is focused on working with the legislature on building a resilient response, from a health and economic perspective, for Colorado in the face of the pandemic. This includes focusing on lowering health care costs and supporting businesses and workers who are struggling. The Governor expressed support for the legislature’s work around creating a loan relief fund, bolstering the state’s unemployment insurance program, and a more permanent sick leave policy. Gov. Polis also praised state lawmakers for being in the process of taking swift action in response to the hundreds of thousands or millions of Americans that are demonstrating against police abuse and structural racism.

    Gov. Polis highlighted two organizations who are working with Coloradans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and have received grants from the Colorado COVID Relief Fund for their work. 

    The Governor highlighted GrowHaus, which serves as a source of fresh food in the Elyria-Swansea and Globeville neighborhoods of Denver, where there are few traditional grocery stores within walking distance for many residents. When COVID hit, GrowHaus received a massive increase in households looking for services. So they mobilized their entire team to start packing and delivering emergency food packages including dry goods, fresh fruit and vegetables for households in need across the area at no charge. Due to the help they’ve received from the COVID-19 Relief fund, they’re currently serving 2,500 Coloradans, and partnering with other local organizations like Bondadosa, Denver Food Rescue, and We Don’t Waste.

    The Governor highlighted the River Valley Family Health Center, which is serving thousands of families in Delta, Montrose, and Olathe with high-quality, affordable health care. In response to the pandemic, they’ve stepped up IT support for telehealth to help slow the spread of the virus. They’ve also strengthened their routers because they know that not everyone has access to WiFi at home. Patients can now come to the parking lot and have a remote session if they don’t want to risk physically interacting with a doctor. They also offer testing for COVID-19 and ensure that everyone who gets tested gets follow-up behavioral health outreach.

    To learn more about the Colorado COVID Relief Fund, visit www.helpcoloradonow.org. 

    Gov. Polis signed Executive Order D 2020 094, amending and extending prior Executive Orders suspending certain regulatory statutes concerning juvenile justice, regional centers, and behavioral health due to COVID-19.

     

     

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  • Statewide Primary Ballots Mailed this Week

    Statewide Primary Ballots Mailed this Week

    DENVER, Colo.- This week, county clerks across Colorado are mailing ballot packets for the June 30 Statewide Primary. Clerks have until Friday, June 12 to mail ballots to registered voters eligible to participate in this year’s statewide primary. To limit the spread of COVID-19, Secretary of State Griswold is encouraging Coloradans to return their voted Statewide Primary ballot by mail or drop-box.

    “Our statewide primary will largely determine the ballot for the November general election. I encourage Coloradans to vote their mail ballots to help stop the spread of COVID-19, while also having their voices heard in this historic election,” said Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold.

    Registered Republican, Democratic and Libertarian voters will receive the ballot of their party. Unaffiliated voters who did not indicate a party preference before the June 1 deadline will receive both a Democratic and Republican party ballot, and should only return one voted ballot. Voters who do not receive a ballot by June 17 should contact their county clerk and recorder.

    Voted ballots must be received by county election officials by 7 p.m. on June 30. After June 22, voters are encouraged to return their ballot by drop-box rather than by mail to ensure their ballot is received before the June 30 deadline.

    This is also the first year that 17 year-olds are able to participate in Colorado’s two primaries, provided they turn 18 years of age by the General Election on November 3. Colorado is one of just 17 states that allow this added level of accessibility.

    Coloradans can update and verify voter registration, register to vote online, or find a Voting Services Polling Center at www.GoVoteColorado.gov.

     

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  • Gov. Polis Cuts Red Tape for Restaurants, Allows More Flexibility in Licensing

    Gov. Polis Cuts Red Tape for Restaurants, Allows More Flexibility in Licensing

    DENVER – Governor Jared Polis signed an Executive Order cutting red tape for restaurants and suspending certain statutes to remove bureaucratic barriers to serving alcoholic beverages in temporary outdoor dining spaces. 

    “We know this is a difficult time for so many Coloradans, especially those in our restaurant and service industry. That’s why we want to cut as much red tape as we can to ensure that restaurants can get creative in serving customers for outdoor dining in as safe and easy a manner as possible,” said Governor Jared Polis. “I’m proud of the entrepreneurial spirit of Coloradans and know many business owners have had to find new, innovative ways to serve their customers these past few months. It remains critical that Coloradans continue wearing masks when they leave the house and washing their hands as much as possible. While we are able to slowly take these steps toward some semblance of normalcy, we are far from how things used to be and we must continue taking the necessary steps to keep ourselves and our neighbors safe.”

    This Executive Order allows restaurants to obtain temporary approval from State and local licensing authorities to modify their licensed premises to include outdoor dining areas within 1,000 feet of the restaurant, and also allows for the consumption of alcoholic beverages on a public right of way that has been authorized by ordinance, resolution, or rule adopted by a municipality, city and county, or county.

    This Executive Order also requires the Department of Revenue’s Liquor Enforcement Division to respond to the submission of an application for the temporary modification of a license within 24 hours to prevent any delays in restaurants offering safer outdoor service during the pandemic.

     

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  • State health department releases guidance for personal and outdoor recreation Parks, pools, gyms and guided activities allowed with precautions

    State health department releases guidance for personal and outdoor recreation Parks, pools, gyms and guided activities allowed with precautions

    DENVER, June 4, 2020: In accordance with Governor Jared Polis’ executive order and Public Health Order 20-28, Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment today finalized guidance outlining the steps required to allow personal and outdoor recreation activities to resume while minimizing the potential spread of COVID-19.

    The new guidance addresses personal recreation (parks, pools, gyms and fitness facilities, and organized recreational sports) and outdoor recreation (non-guided and guided tours such as rafting, fishing, horseback riding, etc.)

    Guidance for personal recreation

    Guidance for outdoor recreation  

    The department sought and incorporated feedback from the public and stakeholders before finalizing the guidance released today. The department also released updated and expanded guidance for houses of worship. 

    Activities that can be done in groups of 10 or fewer, with people physically distanced and taking precautions such as hand washing and mask wearing (when possible) can now occur, unless they are explicitly prohibited in the public health order.

    Public health orders establish requirements that Coloradans must follow while guidance documents provide clear instructions for how businesses and individuals can comply with the public health orders. 

    For extensive information on Safer-at-Home, including sector-specific guidance, please visit covid19.colorado.gov/safer-at-home. 

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

    photo credit: MGN Online

     

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  • The Adjutant General promotes the Colorado National Guard director of joint staff to brigadier general

    CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The Adjutant General of Colorado will promote the Colorado National Guard Director of Joint Staff U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Scott Sherman in a formal ceremony at Joint Force Headquarters, Centennial, Colorado, June 6, 2020, at 3:00 p.m.

    Sherman, who also serves as the Joint Task Force-Centennial Commander during domestic response operations, attained the rank of brigadier general March 20, 2020.  

    “General Sherman is one of the finest military leaders I have ever known,” The Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Loh said. “His 28 years of military service, 20 of which have been in the Colorado Army National Guard, have made lasting impacts on our national security.  

    “I look forward to his future legacy to our state and nation.”

    The official ceremony will include the firing of a ceremonial cannon.

    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a small, socially-distanced group of CONG leaders and invited guests will observe the ceremony which will also be broadcast live via Facebook and YouTube.

    Sherman is a 1992 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering and commissioned as a field artillery officer.

    He previously served as: Chief of Staff/Command Administrative Officer, Colorado Army National Guard; Commander, 169th Field Artillery Brigade, Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colorado; and, Chief of the Joint Staff, Joint Force Headquarters, Centennial, Colorado.

    His numerous awards and decorations include the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit.  

     

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  • 231 impaired drivers arrested during Memorial Day enforcement period Summer Blitz DUI enforcement period begins June 12

    231 impaired drivers arrested during Memorial Day enforcement period Summer Blitz DUI enforcement period begins June 12

    STATEWIDE — While many Coloradans kicked off summer over Memorial Day weekend, others started it with a DUI. As part of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) The Heat Is On campaign, Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local law enforcement launched the annual Memorial Day DUI enforcement period to protect motorists from impaired drivers on Colorado roads. As a result, 231 impaired drivers were arrested during the holiday weekend enforcement period, which is a decrease from the 323 arrests made during this enforcement in 2019.

     “When you get behind the wheel, you’re not only in control of your own safety, your actions impact the safety of everyone around you,” said Shoshana Lew, executive director at CDOT. “Just as we are all doing our part to protect each other during this pandemic, we need to protect each other on the road and that means eliminating impaired driving.”

     Statewide, 84 law enforcement agencies participated in the Memorial Day enforcement period, with the Colorado Springs Police Department (27 arrests) and the El Paso County Sheriffs Office (22 arrests) recording the highest arrest totals. CSP arrested an additional 64 DUI offenders across the state. Comprehensive results from all participating agencies can be found at codot.gov/safety/traffic-safety-reporting-portal. Arrest data is organized by law enforcement agency and enforcement period.

     “Safety and wellness have always been at the core of Colorado State Patrol’s values,” said Col. Matthew Packard, chief of CSP. “We have always been on high alert to keep Coloradans safe on state roads. Unfortunately, that meant arresting 64 motorists for driving impaired this Memorial Day weekend. We want Coloradans to remember that, although Gov. Polis has issued a Safer at Home order and fewer drivers may be on the roads, driving impaired is always prohibited, so plan for a sober ride home—no matter what.”

     An average of 60 impaired drivers are arrested for DUI in Colorado every day. The Colorado blood-alcohol (BAC) limit for a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charge is 0.08 percent or higher, and for a Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) charge, it is 0.05 percent or higher. First-time DUI offenders can be punished with up to one year in jail, license suspension and thousands of dollars in fines. However, a driver can be charged with a DUI if their alcohol content is anywhere above zero. CDOT encourages all drivers who have consumed any amount of alcohol to refrain from driving.

     The Heat Is On will return for the Summer Blitz DUI enforcement period from June 12–22.

     CDOT’s The Heat Is On DUI-prevention campaign, including the Memorial Day and Summer Blitz enforcement periods, supports CDOT’s Whole System — Whole Safety initiative to reduce traffic injuries and deaths.

     COVID–19

    Safe transportation infrastructure is essential for emergency first responders and freight drivers as Colorado navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, road maintenance and construction continues on CDOT projects with social distancing and other health safety measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure on the worksite. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced guidelines for construction activities. The public is urged to join the campaign for #DoingMyPartCO by practicing social distancing, wearing face masks, staying at home when possible, and avoiding nonessential travel. With fewer vehicles on the roads, CDOT crews will be able to work more efficiently and safely.

     ABOUT THE HEAT IS ON

    The CDOT Highway Safety Office provides funding to Colorado law enforcement for impaired driving enforcement, education and awareness campaigns. The Heat Is On campaign runs throughout the year, with 16 specific high-visibility impaired driving enforcement periods centered on national holidays and large public events. Enforcement periods can include sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and additional law enforcement on duty dedicated to impaired driving enforcement. Find more details about the campaign, including impaired driving enforcement plans, arrest totals and safety tips at HeatIsOnColorado.com.

     WHOLE SYSTEM. WHOLE SAFETY.  

    In early 2019, CDOT announced its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative to heighten safety awareness. This initiative takes a systematic, statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment and the organization’s operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving the safety of all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission—to get everyone home safely.

    ABOUT CDOT

    CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located at its Denver headquarters and in regional offices throughout Colorado, and manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway and 3,429 bridges. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of other agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated interregional express service. Governor Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.

     

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  • Governor Polis Provides Update on COVID-19 Response, Discusses Recent Demonstrations

    Governor Polis Provides Update on COVID-19 Response, Discusses Recent Demonstrations

    DENVER – Governor Jared Polis today provided an update on the state’s response to COVID-19 and discussed Safer at Home and In the Vast, Great Outdoors. The Governor also addressed the senseless murder of George Floyd and demonstrations in Denver and across the country. 

    “Our state has some of the most beautiful natural open spaces in the world and we want Coloradans to safely enjoy our vast, great outdoors. While we are all still safer at home, we are also able to practice better social distancing in our great outdoors than in confined indoor spaces,” said Gov. Polis.  

    “What happened to George Floyd was not only wrong, it was brutal. It was inhumane. It was murder,” Governor Polis continued. “But the reality is that this is much larger than the need to hold one officer and others accountable. It’s about a pattern of injustice and unfair treatment that Black Americans and communities of color have endured, not only in our criminal justice system, but in every area of American society. We need to listen to the voices of those who are crying out for reform, and we need to take action. To those peacefully protesting, I want you to know that I see you, I hear you and I grieve with you. And more importantly, I want to work with you. Spray paint can be power washed, and windows can be fixed, but the black lives taken can’t be replaced or brought back, and the pain and injustices that our black community members have suffered will take years and decades to repair. I am ready, willing, and eager to be your partner in that work.”

    The Governor provided an update on Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors, encouraging Coloradans to enjoy the state’s incredible outdoor spaces, where people are better able to follow social distancing requirements. The level of risk for outdoor activities is low enough that older Coloradans and those with underlying conditions are now able to go outside and participate in Colorado’s natural beauty. Everyone should continue wearing a mask and following social distancing requirements while outdoors. 

    The Governor also discussed the levels of risk Coloradans can be exposed to through various activities. Staying home is considered low risk, outdoor activities is considered a moderate risk, outdoor gatherings are a higher risk, and indoor gatherings are the highest risk. 

    The state is also opening up playgrounds and swimming pools at limited capacity, and has also released draft guidance on reopening houses of worship, certain forms of outdoor recreation and personal recreation, and updates to the child care and personal services guidances. The state is currently soliciting feedback, which can be submitted here. Final versions will be released on Thursday.

    Gov. Polis today announced that Colorado is now running 7,000 – 8,000 tests per day. The state now believes it is capturing 50% of symptomatic cases, up from 33% and growing. 

    In addition, Gov. Polis announced a new partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), who will mobilize more than 800 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members to support the state’s COVID-19 response through contact tracing and other associated work.

    Contact tracing means following up with individuals who came into contact with an infected individual to ensure they get tested and quarantine themselves if necessary. 300 AmeriCorps NCCC members, based out of the Southwest Region Campus in Aurora, will start immediately. 350 VISTA Summer Associates will be hosted by the Community Resource Center in Denver and Conservation Legacy in Durango, both existing AmeriCorps VISTA projects, with 100-200 additional Senior Corps volunteers to join in Denver.

    With more than one thousand contact tracers working in Colorado, the state will be able to address outbreaks more quickly, which will reduce infections and save lives. 

    Organizations are currently recruiting for the new positions announced today, the first of which begin on June 22. Those who serve as VISTA Summer Associates will earn a stipend and an education award at the end of their service. For more information on requirements and details on how to apply visit www.colorado.gov/servecolorado. 

    View the full news conference. 

     

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  • Colorado resumes some regular child care group sizes

    Colorado resumes some regular child care group sizes

    Certain child care providers may return to regular group sizes June 4

    DENVER (June 3, 2020) — Gov. Jared Polis has announced that certain child care providers in Colorado may return to regular group sizes and licensed capacity as stated in Colorado child care licensing rules beginning Thursday, June 4. This guidance is applicable to child care centers, family child care homes, and building-based school-age child care programs only. It does not include school-age day camps, license-exempt youth programs, or children’s resident camps. 

    School-age day camps and license-exempt youth programs are currently allowed to operate with smaller ratios as outlined in guidance from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Resident camps are still not allowed to operate. Further guidance on children’s resident camps will be released in mid-June. 

    “Providing Colorado families with safe, affordable and accessible high-quality child care is key to the state’s recovery from COVID-19,” said Michelle Barnes, executive director of the Colorado Department of Human Services. “Unfortunately, child care providers, like so many small businesses, have faced significant challenges during these unprecedented times. Returning to regular group sizes will help child care businesses keep their doors open, and will ensure more Colorado families who need access to child care are able to find it, particularly families participating in the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program.” 

    Child care providers must still adhere to other health and safety guidelines as outlined by CDPHE. This includes maintaining physical distancing of 6 feet whenever possible. Standard child care licensing rules do allow for approximately this level of physical distancing, as facilities must have 35 square feet per child for infants and 30 square feet per child for preschool and school-age children. Providers are also encouraged to engage children in outdoor play as much as possible, as this is a safer way for children to interact while still maintaining physical distancing. More information about current guidelines in child care facilities can be found on CDPHE’s COVID-19 website. More information on child care licensing can be found on the Colorado Office of Early Childhood’s website. 

    For individual assistance with questions, please contact Colorado Child Care Licensing at 303.866.5948 or 1-800-799-5876. 

     

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  • Applications open June 5 for CPW’s new secondary big game draw

    Applications open June 5 for CPW’s new secondary big game draw

    DENVER – Beginning Friday, June 5, hunters will have the option to apply to draw a license in Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s new secondary big game draw. The secondary draw replaces the old leftover draw. The secondary draw opens after the results of the annual primary big game draw have been posted. 

    New in 2020, the secondary draw is open to everyone, whether they applied for the primary draw or not. Most elk, deer, pronghorn and bear licenses not issued through the primary draw will now be made available in the secondary draw.

    What’s different?

    The new secondary draw means increased opportunity. The old leftover draw was only available to customers who participated in the primary draw, did not draw, and only offered deer and elk licenses. The new secondary draw offers two more species: bear and pronghorn licenses, in addition to deer and elk licenses, and is open to all customers whether they applied in the primary draw or not.

    The new process provides a preference for youth hunters. Youth hunters have 100% preference in the secondary draw. The secondary draw processes all youth application choices prior to processing adult choices. A hunt could be completely drawn by youth before the adult application stage of the draw. 

    What to know before you apply

    The application fee. You’ll still be charged a fee for applying, whether or not you draw a license. The $7 resident and $9 nonresident application fees apply per species for the secondary draw as well as the primary draw.

    No primary draw? No problem. You can apply for the secondary big game draw without having applied for the primary big game draw. 

    A qualifying license is required. Resident and nonresident hunters must purchase or have purchased one of the following:

    Qualifying license valid for Colorado residents only include: 

    No preference points. You don’t use any preference points if you draw a license in the secondary draw. You also cannot apply for a preference point in the secondary draw.

    No group hunts. You cannot apply as a group in the secondary draw.

    When can I apply?

    Secondary draw applications will be accepted beginning at 8 p.m., June 5 – July 7, 8 p.m. MST.

    A list of hunt codes eligible for the secondary draw will be posted online on June 5.

    Any licenses remaining after the secondary draw as well as those which are eligible for public reissue (except for Ranching for Wildlife licenses) will be placed on the leftover list and available for purchase beginning at 9 a.m. MST on August 4. 

    Applications for both the primary and secondary draws are only available online or by phone.

    NOTE: “Unsuccessful options” have been removed from  the draw application process. Over-the-counter unlimited licenses will be available for purchase starting at 9 a.m. on August 6. 

     

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  • Governor Polis Signs Updated Safer at Home Executive Order to Transition to Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors

    Governor Polis Signs Updated Safer at Home Executive Order to Transition to Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors

    DENVER – Gov. Polis today signed an Executive Order, transitioning from Safer at Home to Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors.

    “Our state has some of the most beautiful natural open spaces in the world and we want Coloradans to enjoy our vast, great outdoors. While we are all still safer at home, we are also able to practice greater social distancing in our great outdoors than in confined indoor spaces,” said Governor Jared Polis. “It may feel like we are getting back to normal, but the virus is still here, and it could surge back the moment we let our guard down. We are still far from normal. Coloradans have to remain diligent, and must continue staying home or in the great outdoors away from others as much as possible, wearing masks when we leave the house, and washing our hands. Over these next few weeks, each and every one of us has a responsibility to protect ourselves and others, especially as we begin venturing out onto our trails and open space.”

    “And for anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms, it’s extremely important to not go to work or hang out with others and to get tested. Testing is free, easy, and quick at 47 state-supported, community testing sites across the state including at the Pepsi Center in Denver,” Gov. Polis added. 

    “Colorado has millions of acres of accessible federal land, municipal parks, State parks, State and county open space, and other accessible areas that allow for stronger Social Distancing in our great outdoors. Coloradans should Stay at Home or in the great outdoors away from others as much as possible and continue to limit social interactions, remain at least six feet from others not in their household, and wear non-medical facial coverings in public,” the Executive Order reads. 

    Previously, high-risk Coloradans, those above 65 or with underlying health conditions, were required to stay home unless absolutely necessary. With this Executive Order, those individuals are now encouraged to also enjoy Colorado’s outdoor spaces at a safe social distance, in addition to staying at home as much as possible. This Executive Order also directs the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to issue a corresponding Public Health Order.

    CDPHE is also releasing draft guidance on houses of worship, outdoor recreation, personal recreation, and updates to the child care and personal services guidances. Playgrounds and swimming pools can open at limited capacity and the Governor encourages people to have safe fun outdoors away from others. CDPHE is soliciting input from industry and key stakeholders on the draft guidance, and comments are due by Wednesday, at 12:00pm. Final versions will be released Thursday, June 4, 2020. CDPHE also released guidance for short-term rentals, allowing them to reopen as of June 1, 2020. Guidance issued under Safer at Home is still in effect unless updated by this Executive Order or under CDPHE.

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