Boulder County Updates Gatherings Order

BOULDER, CO — Boulder County announced updates Monday for its public health order that prohibits 18 to 22-year-olds from gathering in Boulder.

The amendments, which were made after community feedback, aim to "ensure young adults feel safe in the community and can attend to the legally required activities, such as jury summons," health officials said.

Revisions to the order include:

• Changes the prohibition of gatherings to more than two people rather than the original one person. Revised language: “Gatherings of more than two persons within the city of Boulder that include any person or persons between the ages of 18 and 22 years are prohibited. Two persons gathered together must follow all public health laws and orders concerning Face Coverings and must comply with Social Distancing Requirements whenever possible.”
• Residents of designated stay-at-home properties are allowed to leave for "purposes as required by law," officials said. Revised language: “Stay-at-Home Residents are prohibited from leaving their Subject Property except for Essential Activities and Essential Travel or as required by law." This revision will allow students to leave their residence to move their car to avoid parking tickets, for example.
• Participation is allowed in programs that serve adults with disabilities and any activity required by law. Revised language: “A Gathering does not include: 1) employees of any business, government, nonprofit, or not-for-profit entity while performing work for such entity; 2) activities undertaken pursuant to jury summons, lawful subpoena, or order of a court; 3) any educational activity explicitly permitted by CU, Naropa University, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder Massage Therapy Institute, Thai Healing Art Institute, Montessori Education Center of the Rockies, Dr. Ida Rolf Institute, and any other education institution in the city of Boulder as approved by BCPH; 4) any life rites, such as wedding ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, funerals, other religious rites, and worship services, as authorized by and conducted in strict compliance with CDPHE Public Health Order 20-35; 5) participation in programs that serve adults with disabilities; or 6) participation in any activity required by law.”

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CU Boulder students who are concerned about walking alone on campus can call the CU Police Department at 303-492-6666 — if an officer is available, they will walk the student to their campus destination, university officials said. Students are also encouraged to download the Guardian app, which is free for CU Boulder students and allows them to set friends and family as guardians who can watch them virtually as they walk.

In addition, an exemption process has been created for those living in properties under the stay at home portion of the order if the requirements are causing financial hardship. To stop transmission of the virus, this exemption is only available to those who are less likely to be contagious, health officials said.

The exemption application requires students to demonstrate they have a job, have had a positive COVID-19 test result in the past 90 days, and have isolated properly. Designation as an 'essential worker' is not sufficient reason to be granted an exemption, nor is a negative test for the COVID-19 virus, officials said. Students can call Boulder County Public Health at 720-776-0822 if they have questions about the exemption.

Anyone who feels they need mental health support can contact Colorado Crisis Services any time, day or night, by calling 1-844-493-8255 or texting “TALK” to 38255. CU Boulder students can also check mental health resources available here.

>> View the full public health order here.