Denver Moves To Level Clear: What To Know

DENVER, CO — Denver will move to Level Clear on Sunday, which will allow businesses to operate at 100 percent capacity, public health officials said. The new level will remain in effect for a three-month observation period.

Denver will align with the new statewide mask requirements — face coverings will not be required except in settings such as hospitals, childcare centers, homeless shelters, nursing homes and prisons. Some private businesses — such as grocery stores, large retailers and coffee shops — may also choose to continue requiring face coverings.

Level Clear will include the following changes:

• There will be no capacity limits in offices, retail businesses, restaurants, personal services, or bars.
• Restaurants will have no limit on party size.
• Gyms, recreation centers, and pools can continue to operate at full capacity and will no longer have distancing requirements.

The following settings still have some limits and restrictions:

• Indoor events of more than 500 people must get approval from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
• Outdoor seated and ticketed events in spaces 30,000 square feet or greater must get approval from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment to increase their current capacity allowances.

Don’t miss the latest news updates in Arvada, Lakewood and Littleton. Sign up for free Patch news alerts and newsletters for what you need to know daily.

“Thanks to the tremendous efforts of Denver’s residents, our recovery continues to gain momentum,” Mayor Michael Hancock said.

“The number of people getting vaccinated is going up every day and our case rates are steadily declining. It’s time to say goodbye to capacity limits and distancing requirements, and for those of us who are fully vaccinated, time to remove our masks in most circumstances. And to truly put this pandemic behind us, we still need more of our residents to get vaccinated. That is the absolute best way to protect ourselves, our families and our city.”

With the removal of the capacity and social distancing requirements for businesses, Denver’s 5 Star Business Certification Program is being suspended, and applications will no longer be accepted, officials said. If restrictions are reimposed in the future, the program will resume.

Jefferson, Adams, Arapahoe and Boulder counties are also moving to Level Clear on Sunday.