5 Star Certification Program
Pitkin County’s application for the 5 Star Certification Program was submitted to the state on January 22, and on January 29th, we received approval from CDPHE, contingent on metric eligibility. Applications for businesses opened on Thursday, January 28th.
Week of February 22nd Updates:
- Effective February 13, 2021 Pitkin County will adopt dial 2.0 and move into Level Yellow.
- The inspection team is reaching out to approved applications from restaurants to set up an inspection appointment.
- The Administrative Committee has also started to review applications from gyms/fitness centers and personal services. After the inspection team conducts restaurant inspections, approved applications from gyms/fitness center and personal services can expect someone from the inspection team to reach out and schedule an inspection.
**The 5 Star Certification Program may only operate in Blue once Colorado has vaccinated 70% of Coloradans aged 70 and older with a minimum of one dose of vaccine**
What is the 5 Star Certification Program?
The State of Colorado’s 5 Star Certification Program is a way for businesses to operate with less restrictive capacity limits by implementing safety measures beyond what is already required by public health orders and guidelines in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This program is for responsible businesses that are following public health guidance, and going above and beyond to prioritize the health and safety of employees and customers.
Is Pitkin County part of the 5 Star Certification Program?
Pitkin County applied to the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) for this variance. The county’s program to certify all qualified businesses under the 5 Star Program was approved on January 29, contingent on metric eligibility. Pitkin County started accepting applications among the following sectors: restaurants, gyms and fitness centers, and personal services.
What counties are eligible for the 5 Star Certification Program?
The chart below depicts what counties are eligible, based on the level of restrictions.
| Level | Eligibility | Benefit for Certified Businesses |
|---|---|---|
| Green | An automatic capacity increase process is already built into Protect Our Neighbors | Increases consumer confidence |
| Blue | Eligible if incidence, percent positivity, and hospitalizations ALL meet Level Blue thresholds. Incidence and percent positivity must be maintained for 7 consecutive days. | Certified businesses can operate with an additional 50 people added to their cap |
| Yellow | Eligible if incidence, percent positivity, and hospitalizations ALL meet Level Yellow thresholds. Incidence and percent positivity must be maintained for 7 consecutive days. *5 Star Business Program may only operate in Blue once Colorado has vaccinated 70% of Coloradans aged 70 and older with a minimum of one dose of vaccine. | Certified businesses can operate at Level Blue allowances |
| Orange | Eligible if incidence, percent positivity, and hospitalizations ALL meet Level Orange thresholds. Incidence and percent positivity must be maintained for 7 consecutive days. | Certified businesses can operate at Level Yellow allowances |
| Red | Eligible ONLY if a county has had a two-week sustained decline in incidence, a percent positivity under 10%, or 10 cumulative days of decline in the previous rolling 14-day period, and less than 90% of regional ICU beds in use in addition to 10 cumulative days of decline in the previous 14-day period for hospitalizations. | Certified businesses can operate at Level Orange allowances |
| Purple | Not eligible | Not eligible |
- For more information on local metrics in relation to the 5 Star Program, please visit the COVID-19 5 Star Qualification Report Card for Pitkin County.
What if cases rise in Pitkin County?
If Pitkin County sees a significant rise in cases or hospitalizations, then the program is suspended. The program is automatically suspended if Pitkin County reaches more than 90% of our RETAC ICU hospital capacity.
Metrics and Operating Capacities
| 7-Day Incidence Rate (Per 100,000) | 5-Star Certified Business | Non-5 Star Certified Business |
|---|---|---|
| Greater than 500 | Orange Level Capacities *Restaurants must allow for 10 ft between parties & only people from the same household may sit together | Red Level Capacities |
| Between 301-500 | Yellow Level Capacities | Orange Level Capacities |
| Between 101 – 300 | Blue Level Capacities 5 Star Certification Program may only operate in Blue once Colorado has vaccinated 70% of Coloradans aged 70 and older with a minimum of one dose of vaccine. | Yellow Level Capacities |
| Between 15-100 | Blue Level Capacities – can operate with an additional 50 people to their cap | Blue Level Capacities |
5 Star Businesses may not operate in Protect our Neighbors unless the county is formally in Protect Our Neighbors
Pitkin County 5 Star Certification Program Timeline
Begin Accepting Applications
Week of January 25, 2021
CDPHE to approve Pitkin County and applications will open up to 5 Star eligible sectors. Pitkin County will initially implement 5 Star Certification applications from restaurants to ensure a successful rollout of the program. If local COVID-19 metrics remain stable or continue to decline, Pitkin County will expand implementing other business sectors.
Implement 5 Star Program & Continue to Accept Applications
Week of February 1, 2021
Review of applications and site inspections will occur. Eligibility to operate at different 5-Star capacity is contingent on data trends per CDPHE report card.
Review & Inspections
Week of February 8, 2021
Continue to review incoming applications and begin conducting restaurant inspections. Start to review applications from gyms/fitness centers and personal services will also begin.
Monitor CDPHE Report Card
Ongoing
Continue to monitor the CDPHE 5 Star Report Card for metric eligibility status.
Pitkin County 5 Star Certification Program Information
When – We started accepting applications January 28th.
Who – Restaurants will be the first industry eligible for inspections and certifications. If local COVID-19 metrics remain stable or continue to decline, Pitkin County will expand the program to gyms and fitness centers, as well as personal services.
How – Businesses must apply and then the county will start to conduct site inspections, with the understanding that businesses must follow Dial Level restrictions until further notice. Contingent on metric eligibility. Certified businesses will be able to open and operate at 5 Star Certification Program capacity. If applying, ensure that you are taking your time to fully complete the application with as much detail as possible regarding each 5 Star requirement when prompted. This will allow your application to be processed more quickly and therefore, the inspection process will happen more quickly.
More information to come
On January 28th, the 5 Star Certification Program application opened up to the following sectors: restaurants, personal services, and gyms and fitness centers while restaurants will be prioritized for inspections and certifications so that once eligible, restaurants can open at a 5 Star Certification Program capacity. Please ensure your business has an updated Business Safety Plan (if your business has submitted one between 11/13/2020 and now, this does not apply to your business).
Resources for Businesses
Regular Sanitation and Cleaning Resources
CDPHE Worker & Customer Protection Guidelines for Non-Healthcare Industries
Employee Symptom and Exposure Check Resources
Outbreak Detection, Reporting and Response Resource
Ventilation Improvement Resources
CDPHE guidance of sufficient ventilation
Exposure Notification Service Promotion Resources
COVID-19 Exposure Notification App
Toolkit (e.g. graphics, videos, flyers)
Complaint Forms
CDPHE 5 Star Program Business Complaint Form
Pitkin County COVID-19 Complaint Form
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