Gov. Polis Asks For Level Red Counties To Move To Level Orange

Gov. Jared Polis has asked the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to move all counties under 'Level Red' on the state's COVID-19 dial to 'Level Orange' — a shift that's set to take effect Monday.

Polis' request was made after a "sustained decline" in COVID-19 cases over the past 13 days, he said in a post on social media. As of Wednesday, 73 percent of intensive care unit beds in our state were in use, the governor said.

"This is a direct result of Coloradans stepping up and taking the steps to protect themselves and others," Polis' post read.

The shift only applies to counties in Level Red, "which is the category designed to prevent us from having to lockdown in 'purple,'" he said.

"And I’m excited we have thus far successfully avoided another lockdown. To save lives, maybe even your own, it is more important than ever that Coloradans not gather outside their household to celebrate the New Year, and to continue to take the basic steps to protect themselves and others, like wearing masks, only interacting with their own households, and staying 6ft apart from others when in public."

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Several counties, including Douglas and Arapahoe, have been approved for the state's 5-Star Certification program, which allows businesses — those who apply for the program — to operate under a level that's one step lower than their county's level. As of Thursday morning, it remained unclear whether approved businesses could make the jump all the way to 'Level Yellow' — which would offer them a significant boost toward fully reopening.

The first case of a coronavirus variant — one that was discovered in the United Kingdom — has been reported in Colorado, and another "suspected case" has also been reported in the state. Preliminary research shows the new variant is more contagious but not more severe, health officials said.