Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Saturday extended the statewide COVID-19 mask order for another 30 days, but made some key changes that mean face coverings no longer are required in most public settings in nearly half of the state’s counties — a large chunk of land that only includes about 4% of the population.
The changes to the Colorado mask mandate, put in place last July, come as more than 1 million Coloradans now have been vaccinated against the coronavirus, and the state has opened up eligibility for inoculations to everyone over the age of 16.
The new order divides mask rules between counties in Level Green on the state’s color-coded restriction dial — currently 31, representing a population of 238,286 — and counties at all of the higher levels, starting at Level Blue and continuing up through Yellow, Orange, Red and Purple.
The latter group is a geographic area that includes the Denver region and the state’s other main population centers, representing 5.5 million people.
Here’s a closer look at the new mask order:
For people in Level Green counties, the statewide mask order is largely lifted, meaning, for example, that unless the businesses have their own rules, people going into grocery stores, gyms or other retail stores no longer must wear masks.
But there are exceptions, settings where state officials say transmission is still likely — including schools, since children under the age of 16 still cannot get vaccinated.
Here’s where masks still are required in Level Green counties:
The vast majority of Coloradans live in counites at Level Blue and higher, and they are subject to the same base mask requirement as people in Level Green counties — with one big addition.
Masks must also be worn in any public indoor settings where 10 or more unvaccinated people are present. And the state says businesses and facilities should “err on the side of assuming that people entering their indoor site are unvaccinated.”
Basically, in those counties at Level Blue and higher on the dial, masks still are required to be work in most indoor public places, including grocery stores, gyms, banks and other retailers.
Here’s the full list of where masks are required in counties at Level Blue or higher:
Check the state’s color-coded map at covid19.colorado.gov.
Yes, the state health department throughout the pandemic has allowed local municipalities, including cities and counties, to enact tougher health rules to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Denver’s mayor already has said he’ll keep the city’s mask order in place through at least early May regardless of what the state does. San Juan Basin Public Health, which covers Archuleta and La Plata counties, issued a more restrictive mask mandate last week that requires face coverings in all public indoor settings unless everyone present is fully vaccinated.
On Monday, Jefferson County amended its order — which requires masks be worn when in indoor public spaces and 6 feet of social distancing can’t be maintained — to no longer require face coverings be worn in outdoor public spaces.
Boulder County also updated its order to continue requiring masks for everyone older than 10 in indoor public spaces. And while masks are not required outdoors in the county, they are recommended when 6 feet of distancing is not possible, officials said.
Finally, businesses remain free to require their customers wear masks even if state or local regulations don’t mandate them.
Colorado’s statewide order does not require mask usage outdoors, and has the following additional exceptions:
The modified order runs through May 2, and state officials say the governor will review the matter with his legal team and public health experts before deciding to renew it again, modify it or let it expire entirely. By that point, state officials are expecting to have turned over most decision-making on COVID-19 public health rules to local authorities.
