The ever-changing Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Covid-19 dial is changing…again. Right now, the public is being asked for their input by Monday, March 22 at noon. The final guidelines will become available on Tuesday, March 23, and the new dial — 3.0 — will go into effect on Wednesday, March 24. We’ll update this post at that time, noting any changes.
Here are some of the proposed changes to Dial 3.0
Counties will find it easier to move into Level Green: Protect Our Neighbors, the least restrictive level on the dial, allowing for more cases per 100,000 (35 up from 15) to do so.
Most restrictions in Level Green are removed. Bars, gyms, and indoor events must still adhere to a 50% capacity limit or a 500-person cap, whichever is fewer.
Bars can open under Level Blue. The capacity limit is 25% capacity or 75 people, whichever is fewer.
Outdoor events in Levels Green and Blue no longer have capacity restrictions. NOTE: Individual counties may choose to implement capacity restrictions on outdoor events at the local level.
Retail, offices, and non-critical manufacturing in Level Blue may now open to 75% capacity, up from 50%.
There is no longer a state limit on personal gathering sizes. The state will follow CDC’s guidance on personal gatherings. The CDC still strongly recommends avoiding larger gatherings and crowds to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
5 Star Businesses in Level Blue can operate up to 60% capacity, not to exceed 50 people above the caps for restaurants and indoor events and 25 people above the cap for gyms.
You can review the proposed changes to the new dial and submit feedback with this form.
Right now, 45 counties are at Level Blue. In the metro area that includes Arapahoe and Jefferson. Some 17 counties are at Level Yellow including Denver, Adams, Douglas and Boulder. You can see a county’s level here.
Under this plan, Dial 3.0 and its restrictions would stay in effect until Friday, April 16. At that point, a new order is likely to be issued to continue limits on indoor, unseated gatherings. Other than that, local public health agencies will be allowed to advise their local governments as to best restrictions and practices for their community.