City of Glenwood

Glenwood Springs issues increased water use restrictions for June 27 until June 30

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UPDATE
6-28-21, 8:25 p.m.
Glenwood Springs water restriction update

Effective at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 29, the City of Glenwood Springs is lifting restrictions on indoor usage only. Restrictions for outdoor watering are anticipated to remain in effect through 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30. No exterior water use including lawn watering, washing cars,?or?filling pools.?

If this timeline changes, an announcement will be made via the city website, city email/text alerts and on the City’s Facebook, Nextdoor, and Twitter pages. 

When possible, residents and businesses should consider opportunities to conserve water with shorter showers, reduced bathtub filling, and running dishwashers and washing machines only as necessary. 

6-27-21, 6:25 pm
Due to additional heavy rains, Glenwood Springs water use restrictions have been extended until 8 am on June 30. Turn off outdoor watering systems, no outdoor water use and limit indoor use. Updates at cogs.us.

Glenwood Springs water use restrictions extended until Wednesday, June 30, at 8 a.m.

Glenwood Springs, Colo. – Due to additional heavy rains, Glenwood Springs water use restrictions have been extended until 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. On Saturday, June 26 heavy rains caused debris flows from the Grizzly Creek burn scar and heavy debris into both the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers. The City is evaluating whether the second debris flow from Sunday, June 27 impacted the City’s water system. Glenwood Springs water crews continue to monitor weather, potential effects and work to return to typical production levels. 

Interstate 70 has been closed in both directions between mile points 133 (Dotsero) and MP 116 (Main Glenwood Springs Exit) due to a new mudslide in Glenwood Canyon. The eastbound closure point is now MP 87 (Rifle). Motorists are recommended to take the northern detour route. Debris area is estimated to be larger than yesterday’s slide. For the latest information on I-70 road closure information, visit cotrip.org or visit the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Twitter Page. 

Water use 

“Our ask for residents and businesses remains the same – turn off outdoor watering systems that may be set to run automatically and keep water consumption to a minimum in your household or business, ” said Public Information Officer Bryana Starbuck. “We have extended the water use restrictions due to the additional rain, and we are in the process of evaluating whether the second debris flow further impacted the City’s water system.” 

No exterior water use including lawn watering, washing cars, or filling pools. Take shorter showers and please refrain from bathtub filling, running dishwashers, and running washing machines. As a reminder, we need to keep water usage to a minimum until we are able to get our water tanks refilled and excess debris out of our water intakes so the water treatment plant can return to typical production levels.  

To reiterate, these water restrictions are not because of availability of water or our general water supply. These are emergency precautions in response to a massive rain event that caused a heavy debris flow on Saturday, June 26 into the city’s water system and slowed down our existing infrastructure. 

“Without the upgrades made at the water treatment plant, at the intakes, and the No Name Tunnel we probably would not have been able to produce water at all yet,” said Public Works Director Matt Langhorst. “There is plenty of water coming down the mountain side, it is just so filled with debris that the process of treating the water has slowed. We were impacted significantly, but still able to produce clean water. Thank you for your continued patience.” 

Glenwood Springs specifically restricted outdoor water usage because that is where the highest volumes of water are used. Due to outside water use like lawn watering, summer water usage has been about 4.1 million gallons a day. Typical winter water use is approximately 1 million gallons. The water treatment plant is running about half of the normal capacity, we are working to get it back to full capacity and to refill water tanks back to operating levels. 

“It is likely that this will not be the last debris flow event in our watershed,” said Glenwood Springs Mayor Jonathan Godes. “The Grizzly Creek Fire left us with a large burn scar right above two of our three water sources. This is why the City of Glenwood Springs completed emergency improvements over the winter and why we continue to plan for other improvements to our water system resiliency and redundancy, like the new Cardiff water tank and the Red Mountain project. We are lucky to have such a dedicated staff that continues to work to keep our water and water levels safe.” 

Glenwood Springs teams continue to work diligently get the water plant back up and monitor developing weather conditions. Special thank yous to City of Glenwood Springs water treatment staff, Eric Hale, Jose Diaz, Warren Hays, Mike Hoffman, Justin Ziegler, and Kathleen Knight as well as Leanne Miller from Carollo Engineering.

Emergency alerts

Please register to receive Garfield County Dispatch emergency alerts and update your contact information at www.garco911.com to ensure you receive critical notifications. To receive important news and updates from the City of Glenwood Springs, register for email or text alerts at www.cogs.us/NotifyMe.

Restricciones de uso de agua extendidas hasta el miércoles, 30 de junio a las 8:00 a.m.

6-27-21, 8:06 am
Glenwood Springs, Colo. – The City of Glenwood Springs has issued increased water restrictions for the entire day on June 27, 2021 until 8 a.m. on June 28, 2021 following heavy rains which caused debris flows from the Grizzly Creek burn scar and heavy debris into both the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers. Keep water consumption to a minimum in your household or business. No exterior water use including lawn watering, washing cars, and filling pools. Take shorter showers and please refrain from bathtub filling, running dishwashers, and washing machines.

“What we need right now is for everyone to keep water usage to a minimum until we are able to get our water tanks refilled and excess debris out of our water intakes so the water treatment plant can return to typical production levels,” said Public Works Director Matt Langhorst. “For the most part, a starting point would be to use water like it is wintertime. Many of the water uses that take up the most water are outdoor watering activities. From there, consider opportunities to minimize business and residential water use.”

City staff has been working through the night along with the engineers that designed the water treatment plant improvements to get the water plant back up. The plant is currently running about half of the normal capacity, we expect it to be back to full capacity in eight hours, and for water tanks to be back to operating levels by 8 a.m. on Monday morning.  Due to outside water use like lawn watering, summer water usage has been about 4.1 million gallons a day. Typical winter water use is approximately 1 million gallons.

Debris flow

While the water plant and infrastructure did perform as designed during the debris flow, a large debris flow slid into No Name Creek up from our intake and has partially diverted the creek from its natural path. Debris flow damage, potential issues and repair plans are being evaluated.

“For a sense of how much debris we’re clearing, we currently have a turbidity reading of 500-600 within the plant, but yesterday we had a reading over 2,600 at the intake tunnel. A typical reading for our water source is less than 2,” said Langhorst. “The water arriving at your tap is still safe to use, but we need everyone to be patient and mindful today while we get back to normal.”

Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by large numbers of individual particles that are generally invisible to the naked eye, similar to smoke in air. The measurement of turbidity is a key test of water quality.

These restrictions will be reviewed daily and if any changes can be made information will be put out to the public with those updates.

Emergency alerts

A reverse 9-1-1 call was sent to Glenwood Springs residents at approximately 5:30 a.m. Please register to receive emergency alerts and update your contact information at www.garco911.com to ensure you receive critical notifications.

“We want to thank everyone for your patience and apologize for the inconvenience and early morning alert. This was a necessary, emergency action because outdoor water use continued through the night despite requests to temporarily suspend outdoor watering and irritation use was drawing down the water storage at a rapid pace,” said Public Information Officer Bryana Starbuck. “We need to maintain a certain level of storage in the tanks to be sure we’re prepared to respond to fire emergencies and have sufficient water for indoor use.”

Glenwood Springs issues increased water use restrictions for June 27 until June 30

City of Glenwood Springs: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Effective Friday, June 18 at 12:01 a.m.

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The City of Glenwood Springs is joining other regional jurisdictions and agencies to enact Stage 1 fire restrictions effective 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 18.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to use fire safely and adhere to the fire restrictions,” said Mayor Jonathan Godes. “These important restrictions intentionally target ways that help our community reduce fire risk and prevent wildfires during periods of high fire danger.”

For the purpose of clarifying these restrictions the following definitions are offered.

By definition:

A “developed area” is an area, whether within city limits or rural, that is groomed, manicured and or watered, where grasses, brush and trees are regularly attended to by landowner. This includes residential and business areas, improved recreational areas, parks and other common areas.

An “undeveloped area” are lands that are not groomed, manicured, or watered, where grasses, brush and trees have been allowed to grow in a natural environment. This includes green belts that are not landscaped or manicured, open space lands, non-manicured park lands, and other areas where the fire hazard presented by the vegetation is determined by the authority having jurisdiction or designee to be an undue wildland fire hazard.

The following Stage 1 fire restrictions will be strictly enforced:

  • All burn permits canceled. All open burning permits are canceled during fire restrictions.
  • Campfires/recreational fires:
    • In developed areas, campfire/recreational fires are allowed within designated fire pits  (i.e. a permanent in-ground containment structure). A temporary fire pan, Chiminea, or rock campfire ring is NOT acceptable.
    • In undeveloped areas, only gas-fueled devices with a shut-off valve shall be permitted.
  • No smoking, except within a designated area, an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed area or in an area free of combustibles.
  • No use of any explosives. All explosives are prohibited, including blasting caps, “exploding” targets, bullets, tracer rounds, model rockets, etc.
  • Hot work. Exercise common sense and industry safety practices when welding, grinding, or operating an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame.
  • Use of powered equipment. Must have a properly-installed spark arrestor and method for fire extinguishment.

In addition to stage 1 fire restrictions, all personal use of fireworks is prohibited in the City of Glenwood Springs and Garfield County until November.

Fire restriction violations can be reported to law enforcement via 9-1-1. Violation can lead to serious consequences including fines and imprisonment.

Fire safety reminders

  • Register or update your contact information today for emergency alerts at www.GarCo911.com.
  • Ask an out-of-town relative or friend to be your “family contact.” Your contact should live outside of your area. During family separations, it is often easier to contact an out of area relative. Family members should call the contact and tell him or her where they are. Everyone must know the contact’s name, address, and phone number.
  • Prepare your home: Check for, and remove, fire hazards in and around your home (roofs, gutters and under decks) such as dried out branches, leaves and debris.
  • Adults and children should know the basics: the sound of smoke alarms, the location of the nearest fire escape, emergency numbers, and an established meeting area.
  • Be fire wise: Prepare an emergency evacuation kit to keep in your vehicle, and a go bag.
  • Check vehicles and trailers before trips to ensure chains on the tow assembly aren’t dragging on the ground.
  • If you see a fire approaching your home or community, report it immediately by dialing 9-1-1.

For more information and for current fire restriction information, visit www.GlenwoodFire.com.

City of Glenwood Springs: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Effective Friday, June 18 at 12:01 a.m.

City of Glenwood Springs rescinds indoor mask order

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On May 20, Glenwood Springs City Council voted to rescind the local mask order for indoor public-facing spaces in alignment with recent guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the State of Colorado.

“As our community transitions to an honor system, please be respectful of others and follow requests from businesses that may still require masks,” said Public Information Officer Bryana Starbuck. 

The state-wide mask executive order encourages any individual aged 11 and older, who is not fully vaccinated, to continue wearing a mask indoors where members of different households are present. Fully vaccinated individuals can go without masks in almost all settings. Masks are still required in certain settings, including in schools for unvaccinated students, teachers, and staff, as well as other settings which are laid out in the executive order. For additional information pertaining to the new guidance, please view the FAQ document here.

City of Glenwood Springs rescinds indoor mask order

City of Glenwood Springs: Continue wearing masks and social distancing indoors

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Glenwood Springs City Council extends mask order for indoor public-facing spaces for consistent, city-wide policy

Glenwood Springs, Colo. – On April 15, Glenwood Springs City Council extended the existing face covering mandate for indoor public-facing spaces within the city limits. For outdoor spaces, masks are no longer mandatory, but are encouraged when in close proximity with others. This provides a consistent, city-wide policy in conjunction with the devolution of the State of Colorado’s COVID-19 dial and follows state recommendations for local governments to maintain these policies for indoor settings.

“Maintaining these protocols as vaccination increases amongst our region and visitors is a proactive step to protect our community and ensures clarity and consistency for our City,” said Mayor Jonathan Godes. “To keep it simple, keep wearing your mask indoors in public spaces.”

The extended Glenwood Springs order will be in effect until May 20, 2021 when City Council will evaluate further action. The Colorado dial will remain as guidance to counties and the state still strongly recommends that businesses and other entities follow best practices for preventing the spread of COVID-19.

The state public health order allows counties to implement regulations at the local level while still maintaining some limited requirements across the state. The state health order requires 6 feet distancing and mask-wearing for schools (including extracurricular activities), child care centers, indoor children’s camps, public-facing state government facilities, emergency medical and other healthcare settings, personal services and limited healthcare settings, congregate care facilities, prisons, and jails. For questions about state or Garfield County guidance, please contact Garfield County Public Health.

City of Glenwood Springs: Continue wearing masks and social distancing indoors

City of Glenwood Springs Community Center will be closed through March 14, 2021 after employee tested positive for COVID-19

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Glenwood Springs, CO – On Thursday, March 4, 2020, the City of Glenwood Springs was notified that an employee in the Parks and Recreation Department became symptomatic after a COVID-19 exposure.  The City quickly responded by contacting Garfield County Public Health which conducted contact tracing.  Contact tracing determined six Community Center employees were exposed to COVID-19.

Garfield County Public Health has notified exposed individuals who have been ordered to quarantine through March 14th.  The order includes isolation or extended quarantine for individuals who develop symptoms during the quarantine period. People with questions should contact the public health office via email or call 970-945-6614 in Glenwood Springs or 970-625-5200 in Rifle.

The Community Center will be closed through Sunday, March 14th to accommodate reduced staffing due to Garfield County Public Health ordered quarantines.  The Community Center has canceled all reservations through March 14, 2021.  Members will receive an additional ten days on their memberships.  The hockey rink is exempt from these closures and will continue to operate as normal.

The City of Glenwood Springs will promptly notify the community if isolation or extended quarantines prolong staffing shortages causing the Community Center to extend this closure.  Patrons are encouraged to follow the Community Center website (www.glenwoodrec.com) and their social media for the latest information on reopening. The City of Glenwood Springs is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of employees and Community Center users. 

Community Center Manager, Cristi Newton said, “We are grateful for the community’s support and patience while we do everything possible to protect both Community Center users and our staff.”

City of Glenwood Springs: Employee presumptive positive for COVID-19

On Thursday, March 4, 2020, the City of Glenwood Springs was notified that an employee in the Parks and Recreation Department became symptomatic after a COVID-19 exposure. Currently, the City is treating the employee, who works at the Community Center as presumptive positive.  Community Center members are not believed to have been exposed.

Following guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Garfield County Public Health, the presumptive positive employee, as well as others in their immediate work area, are self-isolating. Garfield County Public Health has begun contact tracing for all individuals that may have been in contact with the employee. People with questions should contact the public health office via email or call 970-945-6614 in Glenwood Springs or 970-625-5200 in Rifle.

The community center will be closed through Saturday to accommodate reduced staffing due to precautionary isolation while Garfield County Public Health conducts contact tracing. The community center may extend the closure depending on Garfield County Public Health quarantine recommendations. Patrons are encouraged to find community center reopening updates on social media and its website.

The City of Glenwood Springs is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of employees and Community Center users. Parks Director, Brian Smith said, “We’re working closely with Garfield County Public Health and the City of Glenwood Springs Fire Department Infection Control Officer, to protect the safety of our staff and patrons.  We will reopen the Community Center as soon as we can safely do so.”

City of Glenwood Springs Community Center will be closed through March 14, 2021 after employee tested positive for COVID-19

City of Glenwood Springs to host Community Conversation: Law Enforcement Responses During the Pandemic, on March 1

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Glenwood Springs, CO – The City of Glenwood Springs will host a virtual Community Conversation “Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Responses During the Pandemic” on Monday, March 1, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.  The presentation will be simulcast on Zoom in both English and Spanish and be live streamed to Facebook.

The purpose of the meeting is to listen and discuss limits of law enforcement and response during the COVID-19 pandemic, and better understand community questions. Speakers include Glenwood Springs Police Chief Joseph Deras, Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario, and 9th Judicial District Attorney Jefferson Cheney.

The meeting login information can be accessed on the City of Glenwood Springs Calendar at cogs.us/calendar and is included below.

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Mar 1, 2021 06:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Topic: 2021/03/01 Information Session
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89099473649

Or iPhone one-tap :

    US: +13462487799,,89099473649#  or +16699006833,,89099473649#

Or Telephone:

    Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

        US: +1 346 248 7799  or +1 669 900 6833  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 929 205 6099  or +1 301 715 8592

Webinar ID: 890 9947 3649

    International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k9PbZqSot

City of Glenwood Springs to host Community Conversation: Law Enforcement Responses During the Pandemic, on March 1

City of Glenwood Springs: Red or severe risk level on Colorado COVID-19 dial guidelines

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City of Glenwood Springs to provide restaurant grants

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO – Due to increased community transmission and case numbers, effective Thursday December 10, 2020 at 5 p.m. the State of Colorado has moved Garfield County from the current level Orange, to Level Red, the second strictest level of the Colorado COVID-19 dial guidelines.

For more information, please contact Glenwood Springs City Hall, 101 W 8th Street, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, email https://www.ci.glenwood-springs.co.us/142/Contact or call 970-384-6400.

The Red level of “Safer at Home,” according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s website, includes stricter regulations for many industries including restaurants and bars. The expected changes are listed below:

•  Indoor dining closed but can offer take out, to go, or delivery. Outdoor open-air Dining is allowed with members of the same household.
•  Bars that don’t serve food must be closed.
•  Offices limited to 10% capacity, with remote work strongly encouraged.
•  Gyms/indoor recreation limited to 10% capacity or up to 10 people with reservations.
•  Entertainment and indoor event venues must be closed.
•  Unseated outdoor events limited to 25% capacity or 75 people (whichever is fewer).
•  Indoor in-person public gatherings (e.g. meetings, shows, exhibits) are not allowed.
•  Childcares may remain open with standard ratios.

Level Red maintains current capacity of 50 percent for critical and noncritical retail.

City administration reminds businesses that non-compliance with state public health orders could result in state enforcement including cease and desist orders and suspended business and liquor licenses. Liquor licenses are a state enforcement area and multiple restaurants across the state have had their license suspended for disobeying state public health orders.

The City the Glenwood Springs, Chamber Foundation, and the DDA have also partnered to provide additional grants to restaurants since they are expected to have the largest financial strain under these state mandates. It is anticipated that these grants will be $2,400 if a restaurant did not take full advantage of the earlier warming grants provided through CARES funding.

State Bill 20B-001 recently approved by the Colorado General Assembly provides $37 million for direct relief payments to small businesses located in a county that is subject to, and in compliance with, severe capacity restrictions pursuant to a public health order, with payments allocated to the counties for distribution to eligible small businesses, which businesses include restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and fitness and recreational sports centers.

The City of Glenwood’s efforts to combat community spread while assisting local area business includes the recently opened Bethel Plaza public outdoor seating and dining area with outdoor heating elements, as well small covered seating structures on the north side of the pedestrian bridge on 6th street. The Topek structures on the north landing are limited to to-go food only, no alcohol. The Topek structures are scheduled to ship on December 15, 2020.

The city anticipates the igloos will arrive within the next two weeks, and propane heaters under the bridge should be up and running Thursday, December 10. The city has expanded Bethel Plaza to include outdoor dining options to facilitate to go food and alcoholic beverages from area restaurants.

Alcohol consumption hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 am to 8 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Private security will also be available during these times. While areas will be cleaned on a regular schedule, patrons are encouraged to bring their own sanitation wipes. 

The city has been distributing blankets to restaurants to give away for outdoor dining. Interested restaurants should contact Matt Nunez, Economic Development Specialist, at 970-384-6424 or matt.nunez@cogs.us.

Glenwood Springs is experiencing widespread community transmission of COVID-19 and the city recommends all residents take action to protect themselves and prevent the spread of illness.

Attached Topek Structure images provided courtesy of Blackhound Design Company.

City of Glenwood Springs: Red or severe risk level on Colorado COVID-19 dial guidelines

Glenwood Springs expands downtown outdoor dining and alcoholic beverage area

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GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO – Restaurant patrons, starting Friday, will be able to consume to-go alcohol beverages in a designated warming area under the Grand Avenue Bridge. This is intended to provide an area where people can take to-go beverages from the restaurants and to expand outdoor dining options.

Bethel Plaza, located beneath the Grand Avenue Bridge, will be outfitted with warming areas for patrons to enjoy food and drinks while shopping or waiting for a table at nearby restaurants. The area is marked by fencing, which will also provide some wind protection. Alcohol consumption hours are Monday through Thursday until 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday through Sunday 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.

The city has purchased six igloos to place downtown for patrons to take food inside of. This is intended to provide an area where people can take to-go beverages from the restaurants and to expand outdoor dining. The city is furnishing, maintaining, and cleaning the structures and seating area. The public is encouraged to use its own sanitizing wipes or hand sanitizer, in addition to the regular cleaning throughout the day provided by city staff.  The city expects to have the igloos erected within the next couple of weeks pending delivery from the vendor.

The city has purchased branded blankets for restaurants to giveaway to patrons to encourage outdoor dining, which will be available beginning Friday. Interested restaurants should contact Matt Nunez, Economic Development Specialist, at 970-384-6424 or matt.nunez@cogs.us. These efforts are being undertaken with careful consideration of social distancing requirements and the needs of local businesses. Private security will be employed for the downtown seating area beginning Friday.

Glenwood Springs expands downtown outdoor dining and alcoholic beverage area

Community conversation on Oct. 6: Serving our Latinx community

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Virtual Town Hall

October 6, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Purpose:

  • The City of Glenwood Springs in conjunction with Voces Unidas, Towards Justice, Valley View Hospital and Garfield County Public Health will present a facilitated discussion to:
    • Better understand the Latinx community needs and highest priorities
    • Provide a public health update, inclusive of best practices and mandates, infection rates, mortalities, testing (including locations, prices, turn-around times).
    • Provide an overview on workplace rights and resources in the context of COVID-19
  • Questions and answers

This online listening session will be interactive and will be simultaneously interpreted from Spanish into English.

Spanish news flash: https://cogs.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=506
Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/1unxFxFIS

______________________________________________________________________________

Conversación comunitaria: Servir a nuestra comunidad latina

Ayuntamiento Virtual

6 de octubre, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Propósito:

  • La ciudad de Glenwood Springs en conjunto con Voces Unidas, Towards Justice, Valley View Hospital y Salud Publica de Garfield County presentarán una discusión facilitada para:
    • Comprender mejor las necesidades de la comunidad latina y las prioridades más altas
    • Proporcionar una actualización de salud pública, que incluye las mejores prácticas y mandatos, las tasas de infección, las muertes, las pruebas (incluidas las ubicaciones, los precios, los horarios de respuesta).
    • Proporcionar una visión general de los derechos y recursos en el lugar de trabajo en el contexto de COVID-19
  • Preguntas y respuestas

Esta sesión de escucha en línea será interactiva y se interpretará simultáneamente del español al inglés.

Spanish news flash: https://cogs.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=506
Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/1unxFxFIS

Community conversation on Oct. 6: Serving our Latinx community

Glenwood Springs City Council enacts downtown face covering requirement zone, effective July 30, 2020

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GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO. – Citing increasing case numbers specific to Glenwood Springs as presented by Garfield County Public Health, City Council enacted a mandatory face covering zone for downtown Glenwood Springs, amending Public Health Order 2020-2. The zone is effective July 30, 2020 until August 20, 2020 unless otherwise renewed. A new Public Health Order will be published upon amendment.

The mandatory face covering zone follows the boundaries of the existing smoking ban area. This area includes portions north of the Grand Avenue bridge in the Hot Springs district, as well as most of downtown on the south side of the Grand Avenue bridge. Map boundaries are listed here.

Garfield County Public Health Specialist Mason Hohstadt presented information to Council at the Special Meeting Tuesday night on Glenwood Springs COVID-19 data that showed a 62 percent increase in cases since June 1st, 2020 with 99 cases from June 1 to present. Glenwood Springs City Council voted 4-2 in favor of the face covering zone, which will go into effect on July 30, 2020 and is set to expire on August 20, 2020 with review by Council.

The order requires face coverings for all members of the public while within the zone, excepting commuter pass through traffic. Exceptions for wearing face coverings is granted for the following persons:

  1. Persons aged two years and under; and
  2. Persons for whom a face covering would cause impairment due to an existing health condition.
  3. Persons seated at a table in a restaurant and complying with other regulations related to restaurants.
    Masks are available to downtown visitors at the Glenwood Springs Visitor Center located at 802 Grand Avenue downtown.
    Attached is a document detailing face covering requirements within Glenwood Springs as mandated by State and Local Public Health Orders.
    “The ability to maintain social distance, even on a Monday night, in downtown Glenwood Springs right now is difficult. The restaurants and businesses are full and many people are out enjoying the wonderful downtown experience. We need to make sure that this environment is not only fun but safe for residents and tourists alike. This is just one more measure that is intended to keep our citizens healthy,
    and our economy vibrant and moving forward. Our community cannot put itself at risk for being shut
    down again, “said Mayor Jonathan Godes.
    The CDC has reported that up to 25% of people infected with the coronavirus may be asymptomatic. The
    face covering is aimed at lowering the risk of the disease spreading through someone who may be sick
    but not realize it.
    Face coverings can be bandanas, scarves, neck gaiters or other clothing that does not have visible holes
    and can stay in place without the use of one’s hands. People should wash their masks after every trip out
    of their homes either in a washing machine or with hot water in their sinks.

Glenwood Springs City Council enacts downtown face covering requirement zone, effective July 30, 2020