Headlines April 24, 2020

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announced this morning that he was extending the city’s stay at home order until May 8th, almost two weeks after the state’s stay at home order expires.

Mayor Hancock said that he made the decision after looking at the data on infections and hospitalizations in the city.

He said that while they were flattening the curve, Denver’s specific metrics of new infections, new hospitalization rates and mortality rates suggest that Denver was not out of the woods.

He said the city needs more time to scale up testing and tracing capacity and to provide residents and businesses the type of specific guidance they’re asking for.

Mayor Hancock emphasized during a press conference today that the Governor’s guidance has been helpful for the entire state.

He said that all elected leaders are looking at the situation and making decisions that are best for their own communities.

A major component of Denver’s decision to extend the stay at home order is testing.

Public Health Executive Director Bob McDonald said today that the city is working on getting a workforce in place to provide citywide testing.

This would include 100 people who will be trained in the next few weeks. Mayor Hancock said today he wants to ramp up testing to 1,000 tests a day.

Denver Health will offer tests, as will sites throughout the city and metro area, within the next two and a half weeks.

How the pandemic is impacting those experiencing homelessness is still a major concern.

Advocates for the homeless say a sweep is scheduled to take place on April 30th of a camp in the Five Points area.  The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless says that shelters are nearly at capacity.

Britta Fisher, Chief Housing Officer for Denver, said today that the city is still working on providing shelter and facilities for those experiencing homelessness, including building more shelter space, sourcing hotel and motel rooms as well as providing other measures like expanded toilet and handwashing facilities.

Boulder County and Jefferson County announced today that they were also extending their stay at home orders until May 8th.

The City of Boulder says Most City buildings and facilities will remain closed through June 1.

Boulder County announced they will continue to keep buildings closed to the public through May 31st, with limited exceptions.

Those include limited public access to the Boulder County Center, the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters and the Treasurer’s Office in Boulder. Other exceptions include county employees who are performing in-the-field activities.

Boulder County will continue to provide online and phone services for county programs and services that do not require in-person interactions.

The Community Planning and Permitting Department has a new online application system allowing staff to accept planning and permitting applications online.

Another important exception is for those who are in an unsafe situation. You are encouraged to leave your homes in order to get help or to call for assistance.