February 2021

VACCINE UPDATE

Today, Governor Polis was pleased to share that overall, Colorado continues to see positive movement in COVID-19 trends. Some parts of the state, like the high country, continue to experience higher case rates, but we are far from the peak experienced in the fall.

To date, we have administered:

514,408 first doses;
179,360 second doses; and
251,469 first doses to Coloradans 70 and older.
These numbers bring us 64% of the way toward our goal of vaccinating 70% of this group by the end of the month.

Starting on Monday, February 8th, Coloradans age 65-69 and Preschool-12th grade educators will be eligible to receive the vaccine. The majority of doses will still be going to Coloradans 70 and older as they continue to be the State’s top priority because this cohort has been the most affected by COVID-19.

For more information on how to sign up to receive the vaccine, particularly for our 65 and older Coloradans, please visit COCovidVaccine.org or call 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926).

COVID-19 DIAL UPDATE

Governor Polis was joined today by Jill Hunsaker Ryan, the Director of Colorado's Department of Public Health and Environment. The Governor and Director Ryan released Colorado’s new COVID-19 Dial 2.0, which goes into effect Saturday, February 6th at 9 a.m.

"Dial 2.0 is designed so that counties can swiftly move into more restrictive levels when their numbers go up, and more quickly into recovery when their numbers go down,” said Director Ryan.

Throughout this pandemic, the State has used the latest data to drive our decisions around how to best slow the spread of COVID-19 with each new phase of the pandemic. Input from our partners helped the State tailor the dial framework to best serve the needs of Coloradans at the local level. Since the dial framework's last major change in November, Colorado has begun distributing COVID-19 vaccines throughout the state.

More people now have immunity to COVID-19, including those 70 and older and frontline health care workers. This helps relieve the strain on our hospital system and allows us to better balance our local economies' needs with disease suppression efforts.

Counties where disease transmission is low, and there is ample hospital capacity will have the opportunity to further open their economies.
Counties seeing increased hospitalizations and higher case counts will more quickly be able to change levels and address the disease transmission.

For more information visit covid19.colorado.gov/covid-19-dial.

New County Levels (Preliminary) starting February 6th at 9 a.m.

DIAL 2.0 INCIDENCE METRICS

In the updated Dial 2.0, the range of incidence metrics was increased for all colors:

Most Colorado counties have been in Orange and Red levels for weeks, with some counties in Yellow. With the update, many more counties will now operate in Yellow and some in Blue.
Counties in Yellow with a 5 Star State Certification Program can only operate in Blue once 70% of those aged 70 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine. We expect to reach that goal by the end of February.

What hasn’t changed?

School settings do not change in Dial 2.0.
Capacity limits remain the same in all categories, with the exception of restaurants in Yellow, which may now have up to 150 people when using the social distancing calculator instead of the previous 100 person limit.

The State expects to revisit the dial framework in the spring, as most vulnerable Coloradans will have gained immunity.

Level Determinants

SAFETY FIRST FOR SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

As we step into a world where more vaccines are administered every day, Governor Polis wants to ensure that our dial system reflects this new reality. The Governor reminded Coloradans that this is not the time to throw caution to the wind and host a big Super Bowl party. We must remain vigilant and continue taking the necessary steps to protect ourselves and others by:

Wearing masks;
Staying at least 6 feet away from others; and
Limiting social interactions to people in our own households.

On Super Bowl Sunday, consider hosting a virtual Super Bowl watch party to keep yourself and your loved ones protected against COVID-19. The safest way to root for your team this weekend is by only celebrating with members of your household or virtually with others.

So let’s keep it up, Colorado! There is light on the horizon, and each day we take the right steps to protect ourselves and each other; it keeps getting brighter. Have a safe and fun Super Bowl Sunday!

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