Latest Updates
Pitkin County Public Health Order Adds Additional Protective Measures To The Orange Level
Effective Tuesday, November 24, the Pitkin County Public Health Order adds additional protective measures to the Orange Level on Colorado’s COVID-19 Dial. Due to the increasing spread of COVID-19 in our community, business partners came together to develop these measures. By taking additional steps now, we can work together to reduce the continued rise in cases and prevent Pitkin County from moving to the red level. Learn more:
Nov 19 Board of Health Special Meeting
Did you miss this week’s Board of Health special meeting? Watch a recording here. This week's topics include: Highlight of Key Data PointsTraveler Testing Program OverviewVisitor Requirements: State LetterDial Movement UpdateAdditional Protective Measures and MitigationPublic Comment PeriodAnd more! View the slides here:
Pitkin County selects Interim Public Health Director
Media contact:Tracy Trulovetracy.trulove@pitkincounty.compio@pitkincounty.com Pitkin County, CO – The interim Public Health Director position has been filled by internal candidate and current PH team member, Jordana Sabella. She will officially take the lead when current PH Director, Karen Koenemann completes her transition out on Dec. 4. Sabella has been leading the Community Liaison effort during the COVID pandemic. As part of the Public Health teams’ transition, Laryssa Dandeneau will backfill the position left vacant by Sabella. …
Response to State of Colorado COVID Dial Changes
Media contact: Tracy Trulovepio@pitkincounty.com Pitkin County, CO – Today Governor Polis announced new changes to the State Dial. Pitkin County is officially moving to Level 3- Orange Thursday at 5 PM. This means reduced capacities for our restaurants, gyms and other sectors. However, as our incidence rate has climbed above 350/100,000 people – the metric for the new Red level announced today- Pitkin County remains at risk of moving into this Red level and determining what …
Testing questions, answered
What do I do after I have a negative test?If you test negative, are not experiencing COVID-like symptoms, and were not exposed to someone with COVID, please continue to follow Public Health recommendations of social distancing, staying home as much as possible, staying at least 6 feet away from others and wearing a mask.If you test negative, are not experiencing COVID-like symptoms, and were exposed to someone with COVID, you must stay in quarantine for …
Virtual Business Town Hall with ACRA and Public Health
TITLE: Virtual Business Town Hall with ACRA and Public Health DESCRIPTION: Join Pitkin County Public Health and ACRA for an open Q&A session about how to prepare for tighter restrictions and reduced capacity. Pitkin County Public Health has been informed by CDPHE that we must implement a mitigation strategy or could be moved to the Orange level within the next couple of weeks. This is an opportunity for an open question and answer session about what …
COVID-19 Update for the Community
To our Pitkin County Community: On Tuesday, November 3, 2020 Pitkin County received official notification from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) that recent trends in the local spread of COVID-19 could result in the community being moved to the High Risk: Safer At Home, or “Orange” category of the state’s COVID Dial Dashboard. The county has two weeks to bring the community’s metrics back down. The COVID case incidence rate continues …
Expanded community based COVID-19 testing makes its way to Pitkin County
Media contact: Kara Silbernagelkara.silbernagel@pitkincounty.compio@pitkincounty.com Pitkin County, CO – Pitkin County Public Health has received 2,000 additional state-funded testing kits in the form of a self-administered saliva swab used in the presence of a trained healthcare provider, known as Curative tests, with an additional 6,000 tests requested. This marks a milestone in the testing landscape for our community and signifies a turning point in the options and accessibility of testing for our community. Through a multi-organizational partnership with …
Drive-Thru Testing Center in Basalt
New COVID Testing Site in Basalt Opens November 4 and Does Not Require a Physician's ReferralIf you are a local member of the Roaring Fork Valley community, and you have: COVID-19 symptoms, orYou are asymptomatic and directed by Pitkin County Public Health to get tested due to a close exposure, There is a new testing option for you in the midvalley. The COVID Testing Site operated by Aspen Valley Primary Care is open Wednesday – Friday, …
CO Exposure Notification Technology
Colorado is hoping to dramatically expand its coronavirus contact-tracing and notification capacity starting this weekend, with the launch of a new phone application that can alert someone if they’ve been exposed to the virus — but only if people opt into it. The app uses Bluetooth technology to exchange anonymous “tokens” with nearby phones that have also enabled the app. When someone who uses the app tests positive for coronavirus, they can send a notice …
Winter Outdoor Grant Program application process for restaurants is now open
DENVER – Gov. Jared Polis, in partnership with the Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA), the Colorado Restaurant Foundation, and Xcel Energy, announced that applications are open for the Winter Outdoor Grant Program, which will provide funds to restaurants to winterize patio space for outdoor dining. In mid-October, Gov. Polis was joined by CRA and restaurateurs to discuss ways to support local restaurants during the pandemic. “The restaurant industry is critical to the economic health of the State of Colorado, and …
Pitkin County limits gatherings to 5 people, no more than two households
Pitkin County’s COVID-19 incidence rate (number of cases per 100,000) continues to increase. Small, private gatherings are a primary source of community spread. Due to this quick and steady rise in cases, additional measures must be put in place to prevent Pitkin County from being moved into a more restrictive phase of the state’s Safer at Home Dial. Less congregating are proven strategies for reducing the spread of COVID-19. We are hopeful that these measures …
New State of Colorado COVID-19 Exposure Notification Application Is Live
Pitkin County, CO – Last week, Governor Jared Polis announced that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) would launch a statewide COVID-19 exposure notification system, in partnership with Google and Apple. Over the past two days, you may have received the notification on your smartphone with instructions about how to opt-in. The State of Colorado press release issued October 25, 2020 stated, “CO Exposure Notifications complements existing statewide health safety protocols without …
Governor limits gatherings to ten people statewide, no more than two households
The rate of COVID-19 cases is increasing at an alarming rate. There are currently 35 counties outside of their assigned metrics on the dial. If the upcoming two weeks have the same rate of growth in hospitalizations that occured the previous two weeks, Colorado will reach the same April-peak level of hospitalizations in early November. According to Dr. Herlihy and School of Public Health models, there is a narrow window of time to make changes …
Notice of Potential Eviction Protection
On October 21, 2020, Governor Polis issued an executive order banning evictions for at least the next 30 days, effective immediately. This order prevents evictions based on non-payment of rent, as well as evictions based on non-renewal of leases or ending month-to-month tenancies. To be protected, tenants must sign and provide to their landlord (and the court, if they are already in eviction proceedings) a declaration stating they are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. The Colorado Department of Local …
