City of Glenwood Springs

In observation of the downward trend in COVID cases in Garfield County, the City of Glenwood Springs will rescind the city-wide mask order for indoor public-facing spaces effective January 31, 2022. Community members are strongly encouraged to continue wearing masks indoors, especially in crowded spaces. Please follow requests from facilities or businesses that may still require masks.

Glenwood Springs City Hall walk-in services remain temporarily closed to the public with services continuing by appointment, virtually and by drop-off. These protocols have been extended through February 11; however, we are carefully monitoring the COVID omicron outbreak in consultation with local health officials and will adjust as necessary.

Virtual Services

The community development and engineering permit desks will continue to serve customers through digital submissions or by appointment similarly to previous COVID protocols. You can reach the community development department at 970-384-6450.

Utility bills and other fees can be paid online, by phone, by mail or by using a payment drop off box (located at the eastern entrance outside city hall or in the parking lot drop box on the west side of city hall). Customers are encouraged to setup automatic direct debit payments. For more information, visit www.cogs.us/Pay or call 970-384-6455.

Police administrative services is open by appointment. For non-emergency inquiries, the police department can be reached at 970-384-6500.

Community Center

The community center remains open with masks encouraged. Individuals who are sick are asked to not enter the building. If you believe you have been exposed, please seek testing and follow applicable isolation or quarantine protocols. Self-screening and disposable masks are available at entrances in addition to public health reminders throughout the building.

Municipal Court

All court dates through February 11 will be by phone. Defendants should call in beginning at 7:45 a.m. on their scheduled court date to 970-384-6530. If the lines are busy, please hang up and keep trying as the lines may get backed up. Defendants are still required to appear by phone, on their scheduled court date and must call in as the municipal court will not call you on your court date.  If you need to discuss your case or court date, please contact the court prior to the court date. When court is in session, a Spanish interpreter is available. In person court dates will resume February 15 at 8 a.m.

Public Meetings

All city public meetings with more than 10 people will be held via virtual conference through February 11. This includes city council and all city board and commission meetings. The public can find conference call information on the agendas for each meeting, which are posted at city hall and online at www.cogs.us. Public meetings can be attended via Zoom or by calling in with the conference information.

City of Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs, Colo. – Upon review of the latest data from public health officials, the City of Glenwood Springs issued a public health order for all individuals two years of age or older to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when entering, inside, or moving within any public indoor space within the city limits. The order will become effective on December 29, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. and will remain in effect until further notice. This public health order will be reevaluated in January 2022 with advisement from local public health professionals and hospitals. Exemptions and exceptions can be read in the public health order.

The city-wide mask order is intended to help reduce community transmission amongst surging local cases. According to public health officials, the Omicron variant is more contagious than any previous variant and is now the leading form of COVID-19 in the United States. Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin counties have seen dramatic increases in COVID-19 case rates recently. The test positivity rate in Garfield County has doubled in the last week from approximately 8% to 16%. 

“Reducing infections is a critical regional concern because we are seeing a dramatic increase in cases and the Omicron variant is so infectious,” said Assistant City Manager Jenn Ooton. “Requiring masks indoors is one of several precautions we can take to combat COVID and we encourage folks to continue utilizing other strategies like getting tested, getting vaccinated, and staying home if you’re sick.”

In addition to wearing masks indoors in public spaces, the City would like to strongly recommend that businesses and other entities follow best practices for preventing the spread of COVID-19. Masks, frequent handwashing and staying at home if sick are effective strategies to help reduce spreading illness. Testing is available at multiple locations through Roaring Fork, including: free COVID testing, state testing site in Rifle on Sundays 12 – 4 p.m. at 195 W. 14th St., at medical provider offices throughout Garfield County, and for purchase at big box stores.

City of Glenwood Springs

Mask protocol implemented for inside city facilities; public meetings to be virtual-only participation

Due to the high level of COVID-19 cases in neighboring Eagle and Pitkin counties and the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, Glenwood Springs City Manager Debra Figueroa issued an order for all City facilities that requires all staff and visitors to wear surgical-style masks while indoors effective immediately through January 2022. This protocol includes the indoor areas of City Hall, the Community Center, the Recycle Center and the South Canyon Landfill. Masks are available at the entrances of City Hall and the Community Center.

January Public Meetings

Additionally, all City public meetings with more than 10 people will be held via virtual conference only for the month of January. This includes City Council and all City board and commission meetings. The public can find conference call information on the agendas for each meeting, which are posted at City Hall and online at www.cogs.us. Public meetings can be attended via Zoom or by calling in with the conference information.

Municipal Court

All January Court Dates will be by phone. Defendants should call in beginning at 7:45 a.m. on their scheduled court date to 970-384-6530. If the lines are busy, please hang up and keep trying as the lines may get backed up. Defendants are still required to appear by phone, on their scheduled Court date and must call in as the Municipal Court will not call you on your Court Date.  If you need to discuss your Case or Court Date, please contact the Court prior to the Court Date.

Operational Changes

According to public health officials, the Omicron variant is more contagious than any previous variant and is now the leading form of COVID-19 in the U.S.

“By requiring surgical masks indoors and shifting public meetings to a virtual format, we are aiming to create a safer environment in our civic spaces for our neighbors and employees and to help minimize further staffing crunches and gaps in services,” said Figueroa. “We are expecting that there will be some impacts to the level of City services and at times it may be difficult to keep up with snow plowing and other City business at our normal pace. We respectfully ask for patience as our community weathers the effects of this wave.”

The City facility mask protocol, virtual public meetings, and Municipal Court by phone operational changes will be evaluated in January.

The City would like to strongly recommend that businesses and other entities follow best practices for preventing the spread of COVID-19. Masks, frequent handwashing and staying at home if sick are effective strategies to help reduce spreading illness. Testing is available at multiple locations through Roaring Fork, including: free COVID testing, state testing site in Rifle on Sundays 12 – 4 p.m. at 195 W. 14th St., at medical provider offices throughout Garfield County, and for purchase at big box stores.