Colorado’s Safer-at-Home Executive Order

Summary prepared by Dino G. Moncecchi

The Safer-at-Home Executive Order D 2020 044 outlines a new level in Colorado’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Executive Order is tentatively set to expire 30 days from April 27, 2020, but can be amended or extended at any time.  Individual municipalities can delay the implementation of D 2020 044, such as Denver County which has extended its stay-at-home order until May 8, 2020.

• Coloradans should continue staying home as much as possible, and the Executive Order directs vulnerable populations, including seniors, to continue staying home, only leaving when absolutely necessary.
• Changes happening during Safer at Home will be phased in, with different changes going into effect April 27, May 1, and May 4.
  • Monday, April 27
    • Retail businesses can open for curbside delivery. Real estate home showings can resume. Voluntary or elective medical, dental, and veterinary surgeries and procedures may resume if facilities are following required safety protocols.
  • Friday, May 1
    • Retail businesses can phase-in a public opening if they are implementing best practices.
    • Personal services can open if they are implementing best practices.
  • Monday, May 4
    • Offices can reopen at 50% reduced in-person staffing capacity, if best practices are being implemented to protect the health and safety of employees. Businesses are encouraged to allow employees to continue telecommuting at higher levels if possible. Child care facilities can also expand or reopen if they are following Safer at Home requirements.
• Local governments can go further than the State, including but not limited to stay-at-home orders or additional protective measures.
• Local governments can relax guidelines more than the State. To do so, local governments will need to demonstrate proof of 14 consecutive days of decline of infection of COVID-19 in the county. They also must submit an application to CDPHE that includes a written COVID-19 suppression plan approved by the appropriate local public health authority, all hospitals within the jurisdiction, and elected leadership.

See the full Executive Order here: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6877564-D-2020-044-Safer-at-Home.html