In Colorado, we now have over 200 current hospitalizations, which is the highest number of hospitalizations since August 9, 2020. This number will not challenge or overwhelm our hospital capacity - what is worrisome, however, is that the trend is moving in an upward direction.
The Governor urges Coloradans to be thoughtful, safe, and cautious, telecommute whenever possible, and wear masks -- especially if you are an essential or frontline worker.
Until there is a viable vaccine, we all need to continue to do our part to protect and remind each other that there is a silver lining; there are now some vaccines in Phase III trials and several Coloradans have signed up to participate in testing. In the interim, we can save lives by avoiding gatherings, recreating outside instead of inside, and remaining at a safe distance from others.
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Today, Governor Polis was joined by OEDIT Executive Director Betsy Markey, Department of Local Affairs Executive Director Rick Garcia, and State Representative Mary Young, at University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley to discuss innovative and industrious COVID response efforts by businesses and community organizations in Larimer and Weld counties.
The Governor and his administration are thankful for the efforts of UNC President, Andy Feinstein in hosting the briefing.
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One of the keys to effectively managing this crisis and continuing to reopen our communities is testing. Larimer County has executed a robust testing strategy that the State is proud to support.
Thanks to an expansion of their testing capacity, Larimer has a lower positivity rate (2.62% in Larimer, compared to 3.65% statewide). It’s even more important to get tested as the physical effects of poor air quality, caused by regional wildfires, overlap with preliminary COVID-19 symptoms.
In Larimer, there are two major testing sites: There is one no-cost drive-thru testing available on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to noon at Colorado State University, parking lot #740, by the Tennis Complex at 2350 Research Blvd., Fort Collins. And on Wednesdays, students, faculty, and all residents can visit the testing site located at the Larimer County Loveland Campus at 200 Peridot Avenue.
In Greeley, King Soopers at Northgate is open for free testing.
Testing at these sites is free, quick and easy. You do not need an appointment or an I.D. of any type. Those who pre-register, however, will be prioritized, and pre-registering and making an appointment is recommended.
Across the state, we have more than 40 of these community testing sites, in addition to the Big Four large-scale sites in Aurora at Aurora Sports Park, Adams County at Water World (through the end of the year), the Citadel Mall in Colorado Springs, and the State Fairgrounds in Pueblo.
You can find a testing site closest to you at covid19.colorado.gov. If you have been exposed or feel symptoms, please get a test.
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Today, the Governor visited Grandview Elementary School, a part of Weld RE-4 School District. Grandview Elementary students have been on a largely regular in-person learning schedule, while school staff are doing a great job of following public health protocols such as mask-wearing and increased sanitation. Middle and high school students are on a hybrid schedule, and return to classrooms on stagnated days.
The Governor spoke with students and staff about their reopening plans and new protocols made possible by working collaboratively with local public health officials to ensure that students and staff could return to classrooms safely. For some parents, online learning is a great option, but no matter the learning format, it is critically important right now for parents to engage in the process.
Earlier this week, the Governor spoke with Colorado's Commissioner of Education Katy Anthes about the importance of enrolling, attending, and engaging in school, and how we collectively shoulder the responsibility of making sure our students, educators, and administrators have the resources and social support systems for successful learning for the 2020-21 school year.
As the Governor announced earlier this summer, the state is providing every school district with medical-grade KN-95 masks for staff who work directly with students. This is part of our broader effort to provide schools with the resources they need to reopen safely. In Larimer and Weld counties, the state has distributed:
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Larimer County: 8600 masks per week for a total of 77,400 in the last 9 weeks
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Weld County: 6,900masks per week, for a total of 62,100 masks in the last 9 weeks
Combined, that's over 139,500 masks for schools in Northern Colorado.
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The Governor visited several small, adaptive businesses today in Northern Colorado. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and make a big impact on our communities:
East Colorado SBDC: The Northern Colorado-based economic development center provides free, confidential consulting services for small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Larimer and Weld counties. During the pandemic, they have played a critical role in helping local businesses access state and federal resources, like PPP loans, SBA loans, and Energize Colorado grants. Navigating massive federal programs like PPP and SBA resources can be a daunting undertaking but the Greeley SBDC is helping smooth the process for local businesses!
Distortions Unlimited: Just in time for Halloween, the Governor had fun visiting the Greeley warehouse of Distortions Unlimited earlier today. The creative shop has been making Halloween masks, props, and animatronics for haunted attractions, home haunters, theme parks, and everyone else that loves monsters, aliens, and other spooky creatures for over 35 years! When Colorado moved to Stay At Home, many artists and creators were put out of work as productions across the country came to a grinding halt. Distortions Unlimited collected donations to ensure that local artists and creators were able to continue to pay their bills.
Riverwalk Tour: The City of Fort Collins has invested in creating a community where art galleries, music venues and theaters compliment recreation on the river and preserved natural areas. Like many communities across our state that have invested in restoring our rivers and waterways, Fort Collins has turned a former landfill and dumping ground into a hub for the lifestyle industries that help Colorado thrive. The new Fort Collins Whitewater Park is near the center of this redevelopment project and an important asset to the community -- driving new business growth for river outfitters like Rocky Mountain Adventures.
Adjacent to the park and river trail are new restaurants and businesses that have blended the region's agricultural heritage with modern design elements, and the city and Downtown Development Authority plan for further extension of the Poudre River Master Plan as a driver for new investment in the community and an aide for economic recovery.
The Governor and State of Colorado looks forward to seeing the outcome of these projects.
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COVID RELIEF FUND RECIPIENTS |
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Today, the Governor had the opportunity to visit several community organizations that are serving traditionally underserved populations in Northern Colorado, using dollars from Colorado’s COVID Relief Fund:
Dementia Together: Provides support services and enrichment opportunities to Coloradans living with dementia and their care partners. They received $12,500 from the COVID Relief Fund to increase the frequency of their support group meetings. Their virtual memory cafes, which they have been able to hold more frequently during the pandemic due to increased demand, have direct mental and behavioral health benefits in preventing isolation with joyful reminiscing, games, and music, specifically designed for people living with dementia and their family and professional care partners.
Meals on Wheels for Fort Collins: Delivers fresh, healthy foods and social interaction to seniors who have limited mobility in the greater Fort Collins area. They received $25,000 from our COVID Relief Fund to continue to deliver meals to families in need and expand their outreach. Meals on Wheels Fort Collins has 25 daily routes and 35 volunteers are needed for delivery each day. With only three full time staff members, volunteers are an integral part of their operation. Even with their 200 volunteers, Meals on Wheels realized that over 50% of their volunteer base are aged 65-85 and are now socially isolating and on a meal delivery hiatus. They were able to actively recruit volunteers who act as substitute drivers to help mitigate the gap left in COVID’s wake.
To date, the State has provided more than $2.2 million ($2,227,876) to more than 75 organizations (78) serving Larimer and Weld Counties.
The Governor thanks all of those in Northern Colorado, which remains one of the most engaged regions for economic development, as well as individuals and organizations across the state, who are helping us manage this crisis -- and helping others to do the same. We have faced down floods, fires, and other natural disasters, and through our Colorado spirit of innovation, we will certainly get through this particularly difficult time together.
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The Governor today also reminded Coloradans that ballots will be arriving in mailboxes very soon. The mailing process is underway and being carried out by county clerks in all four corners, so keep an eye peeled for your ballot!
Colorado has one of the best election systems in the country, and our vote-by-mail system is safe and secure. While many cherish the act of voting in-person each election cycle, sending your ballot in the mail is the best way to keep yourself and your family safe from COVID-19.
Please remember to vote-by-mail as early as possible. If you are voting in-person by November 3, 2020, please go to govotecolorado.com to find your nearest polling location.
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