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June 2020
My Fellow Coloradans,
This week, my administration released new guidelines as part of Colorado’s Safer at Home -- and now, Safer in the Vast, Great Outdoors -- phase of our COVID-19 response. These new guidelines thankfully relax a number of additional restrictions on our economy and society. As I’ve said before, we are going to have to find a safe and sustainable way to live with coronavirus until there is a vaccine or a cure.
But first I want to address the hurt and anguish so many have been feeling this past week, myself included.
Like many of you, I was outraged at the unjust murder of George Floyd and relieved that the officer who kept his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, even while he cried out “I can’t breathe,” was arrested and charged. I call for all others involved to be held accountable because no one should be above the law.
The reality is that this is much larger than the need to hold one officer or a few officers accountable. It’s about a pattern of injustice and unfair treatment that Black Americans and communities of color have endured, not only in our criminal justice system, but in every aspect of American life. We need to listen to the voices of those who are crying out for reform, and we need to take action.
I have a message for all of those who have put their lives on hold to protest hundreds of years of injustice: I see you, hear you, and grieve with you. More importantly, I want to work with you. We need to keep the focus on the task at hand.
It's unfortunate that the destruction of property during these demonstrations has undermined the positive and righteous messages of justice, equality, and reform. But property damage can be repaired, and it pales in comparison to the damage done to countless black lives throughout American history -- a pattern that unfortunately continues to this day.
The responsibility to speak out cannot solely fall on the shoulders of Black Americans. The responsibility must be shouldered by us all -- White, Black, Brown, local, state and national leaders and our law enforcement community, many of whom have shared with me how angry they are by the actions of the Minneapolis officers. Not only because it was an unjust killing, but because it tarnishes our honest and hard working police officers and sets us back in our mission for reform.
While these protests are ongoing, I also encourage all to remember that we are in a global pandemic. We should remember and remind our loved ones to wear a mask, keep a minimum distance of six feet, and stay at home whenever possible. I know that the strength of our spirit as Coloradans will embolden us to take care of one another, and create a better, more just society together.
Thank you for raising your voice.
Sincerely,
Governor Jared Polis
** Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors
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As you know, Colorado has been in the Safer at Home phase since April 27. This week, my administration released new guidelines as part of Colorado’s Safer at Home -- and now, Safer in the Vast, Great Outdoors -- phase of our COVID-19 response. These new guidelines relax a number of additional restrictions on our economy and society. As I've said before, we are going to have to find a safe and sustainable way to live with coronavirus until there is a vaccine or a cure.
While staying at home is the lowest risk activity, being outside and keeping your distance from others is a good alternative. Gathering with others outside carries a higher risk, while gathering indoors carries the highest possible risk because of a lack of ventilation.
We want to now encourage those older Coloradans and those with underlying health conditions to recreate outside, while still keeping social distance and wearing a mask. Our state has some of the most beautiful natural open spaces in the world and we want Coloradans to enjoy our vast, great outdoors. While we are all still safer at home, we are also able to practice greater social distancing in our great outdoors than in confined indoor spaces.
Furthermore, we are opening up playgrounds and swimming pools at limited capacity, which is welcome news for lots of Colorado kids and parents.
We have also released draft guidance on reopening houses of worship, certain forms of outdoor recreation and personal recreation, and updates to the child care and personal services guidances.
Please visit www.colorado.gov/governor/news/governor-polis-signs-updated-safer-home-executive-order-transition-safer-home-and-vast-great ([link removed] I’ve been saying for months, we’re in this for the long haul, and that we need to find a safe and sustainable way to live with COVID-19 in our lives until there is a cure or a vaccine, or god forbid - herd immunity. I want to walk you through the various risk levels of getting COVID-19. Here are some guidelines for assessing your risk level based on your activities, and how to remain safe and healthy in our Safer at Home phase. The level of risk for outdoor activity is low enough that we want to now encourage those older Coloradans and those with underlying health conditions to recreate outside, while still keeping social distance and wearing a mask. Our state has some of the most beautiful natural open spaces in the world and we want Coloradans to enjoy our vast, great outdoors. While we are all still safer at home, we are also able to
practice greater social distancing in our great outdoors than in confined indoor spaces. We are also opening up playgrounds and swimming pools at limited capacity -- welcome news for lots of Colorado kids and parents. We have also released draft guidance on reopening houses of worship, certain forms of outdoor recreation and personal recreation, and updates to the child care and personal services guidances. Please visit [link removed] to read this guidance.) to read this guidance.
** Americorps Contact Tracers
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Today, my administration announced that the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) will mobilize more than 800 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members to support the State of Colorado’s COVID-19 response through contact tracing and other associated work.
Contact tracing means following up with individuals who came into contact with an infected individual to ensure they get tested and quarantine themselves if necessary.
300 AmeriCorps NCCC members, based out of the Southwest Region Campus in Aurora, will start immediately.
350 VISTA Summer Associates will be hosted by the Community Resource Center in Denver and Conservation Legacy in Durango, both existing AmeriCorps VISTA projects, with 100-200 additional Senior Corps volunteers to join in Denver.
With hundreds of contact tracers working in the state, we will have a much better response to the virus and we will be able to address outbreaks more quickly, which will reduce infections and save lives.
Organizations are currently recruiting for the new positions announced today, the first of which begin on June 22. Those who serve as VISTA Summer Associates will earn a stipend and an education award at the end of their service.
For more information on requirements and details on how to apply visit www.colorado.gov/servecolorado.
** How to Give Back
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Please visit HelpColoradoNow.org to donate to the COVID-19 Relief Fund or sign up to be a volunteer. Get involved today -- your state needs you!
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