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EIGHTH AMENDED PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER 20-28 SAFER AT HOME AND IN
THE VAST, GREAT OUTDOORS
June 30, 2020
PURPOSE OF THE ORDER
I issue this Amended Public Health Order (PHO or Order) pursuant to the Governor’s directive
in Executive Order D 2020 091 as amended by Executive Order D 2020 123 in response to the
existence of thousands of confirmed and presumptive cases of Coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19) and related deaths across the State of Colorado. Further, as there is substantial
evidence of community spread of COVID-19 throughout the State, it is crucial to take measures
now that can mitigate further spread of disease in our communities.
FINDINGS
1. Governor Polis issued Executive Order D 2020 003 on March 11, 2020, declaring a
disaster emergency in Colorado due to the presence of COVID-19. Since that time, the
Governor has taken numerous steps to implement measures to mitigate the spread of disease
within Colorado, and has further required that several public health orders be issued to
implement his orders.
2. I have issued public health orders pertaining to the limitation of visitors and nonessential
individuals in skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, and assisted living
residences; closing bars and restaurants to in-person services; defining the terms of the
Governor’s stay at home requirements and critical business designations; requiring hospitals to
report information relevant to the COVID-19 response; and requiring the wearing of face
coverings in the workplace and urging their use in public. These measures all act in concert to
reduce the exposure of individuals to disease, and are necessary steps to protect the health and
welfare of the public. Additionally, in reducing the spread of disease, these requirements help to
preserve the medical resources needed for those in our communities who fall ill and require
medical treatment, thus protecting both the ill patients and the healthcare workers who
courageously continue to treat patients.
3. As of June 29, 2020, there are 32,715 known cases of COVID-19 in Colorado, 5,489
Coloradans have been hospitalized and 1,520 Coloradans have died from COVID-19. Multiple
sources of data show that COVID-19 transmission and the use of healthcare due to COVID-19
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EighthAmended Public Health Order 20-28 Safer at Home
June 30, 2020
have leveled off in Colorado. Our work to “flatten the curve” appears to be succeeding, and the
Governor has ordered some lessening of the current Safer at Home restrictions as a result.
4. Executive Order D 2020 091 Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors as
amended by Executive Order D 2020 123 still strongly encourages that people at risk of severe
illness from COVID-19, also known as Vulnerable Individuals, remain at home or in the great
outdoors as much as possible, but allows limited reopening of postsecondary institutions and
certain businesses. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible
and practice Social Distancing to reduce the likelihood of disease transmission, but certain
activities, such as gathering in groups of no more than ten for activities, are permitted. As we
continue to combat COVID-19 in our communities, continuing restrictions on individual travel
and necessary activities remain appropriate.
INTENT
This Order sets forth the requirements for implementation of Safer at Home and in the Vast,
Great Outdoors, as directed by Governor Polis. Individual restrictions remain in place
concerning limitations on activities, travel, and public gatherings. Workplace restrictions remain
necessary to implement standard Social Distancing Requirements, cleaning standards, and
other items necessary to reduce the possibility of disease spread. Additionally, certain
businesses and activities require specific guidance based on their business practices, and those
are included in the appendices to this Order.
ORDER
Unless otherwise specifically noted in this Order, the requirements of this Order are effective
June 30, 2020 and expire 30 days from June 30, 2020. This Order supersedes and replaces Public
Health Orders 20-22 and 20-24, as amended.
I. Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors
A. All individuals currently living within the State of Colorado are encouraged
to stay at home or in the vast, great outdoors and avoid unnecessary interactions whenever
possible in order to reduce the spread of disease. Individuals living in shared or outdoor
spaces must at all times, to the greatest extent possible, comply with Social Distancing
Requirements, defined in Section III below, and are encouraged to leave their residences
only to perform or utilize Necessary Activities, defined in Section III below.
B. Individuals are urged to wear non-medical cloth face coverings that cover
the nose and mouth whenever in public as required by Executive Order D 2020 091 as
amended by Executive Order D 2020 123.
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EighthAmended Public Health Order 20-28 Safer at Home
June 30, 2020
C. All public and private gatherings are limited to no more than ten (10)
individuals, except for the purposes expressly permitted in this PHO, which include
Necessary Activities. Nothing in this Order prohibits the gathering of members living in
the same residence.
D. People at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 are urged to stay in their
residence at all times except as necessary to seek medical care. People at risk of severe
illness from COVID-19 cannot be compelled to work for any business or government
function, including a Critical Business or Critical Government Function, during the
pendency of this pandemic emergency. People who are sick must stay in their residence at
all times except as necessary to seek medical care, and must not go to work, even for a
Critical Business, defined in Section III below.
E. Individuals who are sick or are experiencing flu-like symptoms should get
tested for COVID-19, and must self-isolate until their symptoms cease or until they have a
negative test result. If an individual has tested positive for COVID-19 and/or has
developed symptoms of COVID-19, including early or mild symptoms (such as cough and
shortness of breath), they should be in isolation (staying away from others) until they have
had no fever for at least seventy-two (72) hours (that is three full days of no fever without
the use of medicine that reduces fevers), other symptoms have improved (such as cough or
shortness of breath), and at least ten (10) days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
Coloradans who are sick and receive negative COVID-19 test results should continue to
stay home while they are sick and should consult with their healthcare provider about the
need for additional testing and the appropriate time to resume normal activities.
F. Governmental and other entities are strongly urged to make shelter available
to people experiencing homlessness as soon as possible and to the maximum extent
practicable, and are authorized to take all reasonable steps necessary to provide
non-congregate sheltering along with necessary support services to members of the public
in their jurisdiction as necessary to protect all members of the community. People
experiencing homelessness are urged to protect their health and safety by complying with
Social Distancing Requirements at all times.
G. Individuals are encouraged to limit travel to Necessary Travel, defined in
Section III below, including but not limited to, travel by automobile or public transit.
People must use public transit only for purposes of performing Necessary Activities or to
travel to and from work to operate Businesses or maintain Critical Governmental
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