Colorado Updates Public Health Order: What To Know

Colorado is lifting more restrictions as the coronavirus vaccine rollout continues, and an amended public health order is set to take effect Tuesday.

Events with more than 500 people no longer need state approval, and capacity restrictions for large, indoor gatherings are ending.

Masks are no longer required for children ages 11 and younger.

People who aren't fully vaccinated will be required to wear masks in K-12 schools, child care centers, camps, medical facilities and prisons, officials said.

"Hospital reporting requirements remain in place, and snapback restrictions may be issued if hospital capacity exceeds 85%," the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a news release issued Sunday.

Counties are still able to set their own rules about gatherings and masks, and as of Monday night, large indoor events in most metro Denver counties still required local health officials' approval.

Colorado also updated its public health order for residential care facilities. Fully vaccinated people are now allowed to go without a mask in most places, and vaccinated staff and residents will no longer have to undergo weekly testing for monitoring.

Residential care facilities will now be required to submit an ongoing vaccination plan that outlines role responsibilities, vaccine provider information, and educational opportunities.

“We want our residents and staff members at residential care facilities in Colorado to know there are clear benefits to vaccination,” said Randy Kuykendall, director of Health Facilities and EMS Division for the state's public health agency.

“These at-risk communities have been on the front-line of mitigating COVID-19 throughout the pandemic and while we aren’t quite out of it yet, making sensible, data-based decisions in regards to infection prevention and socialization will continue to help us finish strong and power the comeback.”

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More than three million Coloradans — around 60.7 percent of those eligible, have been vaccinated with at least one dose, Gov. Jared Polis announced Saturday. More than 2.5 million people are fully immunized.

“We’ve successfully protected more than half our state from this deadly virus and I’m proud of the work so many Coloradans have put into reaching this milestone,” Polis said in a statement.

“We’ve all hoped for the day when we can take off our mask, hug friends and family, and enjoy the sunshine — this vaccine makes it possible. Each person who gets vaccinated makes our community safer.”