Tri-County Dial Update: New Plan Released, But DougCo Opts Out

Tri-County Health has issued a new public health order that's set to replace Colorado's Dial 3.0 Friday, but Douglas County commissioners voted Tuesday to opt out of the new order.

The commissioners decided that businesses such as restaurants should be allowed to open at full capacity.

The public health department also covers Adams and Arapahoe counties, which will both operate under Level Blue when the statewide dial system expires. Arapahoe County is already operating in Level Blue; however Adams County is in Level Yellow.

Level Blue business capacity restrictions:

• 100 percent indoors at restaurants, with 6 feet of spacing between groups; last call is 2 a.m.
• Bars can operate at 25 percent capacity or 75 people, whichever is fewer; last call is 2 a.m.
• 75 percent at offices and retail
• 100 percent at gyms/fitness centers with 6 feet of distancing
• 50 percent personal services and limited health care settings
• 50 person capacity per activity for group sports and camps

Variants have been spreading in all three counties and throughout Colorado, public health officials said. Coronavirus case rates have surged so far in April.

“We worked closely with our county representatives and other metro health departments in order to create a Public Health Order that simplifies the guidance and eases restrictions on individuals and businesses,” said John Douglas, executive Director of the Tri-County Health Department, in a statement released Saturday.

“As more and more of our residents are protected by one of the safe and highly effective COVID-19 vaccines now available, we are hopeful that we will be successful in our race between the emerging variant strains of virus and vaccination, and that we will be back to full re-opening in the near future.

"However, as the agency responsible for protecting public health in our counties, we will monitor our progress and should conditions worsen, TCHD may need to tighten restrictions if hospitalizations begin to increase again.”

The Board of Douglas County Commissioners said its decision to opt out of the public health order is also based on the latest coronavirus numbers.

“Douglas County will remain guided by accurate public health data, including high vaccination rates of vulnerable populations, coupled with low hospitalizations and deaths," the commissioners said in a statement.

"These science-driven metrics balanced against job losses, business closures, and mental health consequences require that we exercise our local control authority on behalf of the people of Douglas County. We trust our citizens and businesses to think and act for themselves to protect their lives and livelihoods.

"In lieu of further orders, we will continue to encourage strong public health recommendations, good hygiene, and the choice to be vaccinated. Our Board will remain nimble and continue to monitor COVID-19 data trends daily, with the intent to collaborate with the State and Tri-County Health Department on prudent, science-based responses to those trends which best serve our citizens.”

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The Tri-County Public Health Order will be in effect for Arapahoe and Adams counties from April 16 through May 15. The agency posted the following overview:

• Phase 1: Moving Toward Full Re-Opening, April 16 - May 15 (30 days): Counties will move to a new level on the Dial, one Level less restrictive than the level indicated by their metrics on April 15. For example, a county at Level Yellow metrics on the current state Dial on April 15 will move to Level Blue on April 16 and remain there until May 15.
• Phase 2: Observation Period, May 16 - August 16 (90 days): Counties will move to Level Clear, which has no restrictions, subject to TCHD observation of hospital admission rates in the County. In Level Clear, businesses will be able to operate at 100 percent capacity with no Mitigation Requirements, although face-covering requirements may still apply.