Governor Polis Provides Update on COVID-19 Response, Introduces Dial Framework for Local Communities

DENVER - Gov. Jared Polis was joined by Dr. Rachel Herlihy, Department of Public Health and Environment, to provide an update on the state’s response to COVID-19. Dr. Herlihy addressed potentially concerning trends of rising cases, increased positivity rates, and decreased social distancing, and reminded Coloradans about the importance of wearing face coverings, washing hands, avoiding large crowds, and physically distancing. 

“While Colorado has fared better than our neighboring states during this pandemic we can’t lose sight of what’s at risk - our economy, our health and our livelihoods,” said Governor Jared Polis. “We need to do what works by wearing face masks, avoiding large crowds, and physically distancing ourselves in order to continue enjoying more of the Colorado we all love. I’m pleased to launch the new dial framework so our local communities can take even more control over reducing restrictions and further opening their economies, while ensuring that public health and safety are protected. Our local governments who have gone above and beyond in creating their own, more detailed metrics to protect their communities and their economies. Colorado succeeds when our communities are empowered and have the tools they need to keep people safe.”

Governor Polis today announced that the state would be implementing a new framework that allows counties to reopen their economies to the fullest extent possible while protecting their communities. This tool will provide transparency and predictability for local governments and allow for a visual representation of a county’s success in suppressing the virus. 

The dial framework has five levels to guide county response to COVID-19:

1. Protect Our Neighbors

2. Safer at Home 1

3. Safer at Home 2

4. Safer at Home 3

5. Stay at Home

Counties move between levels based on three metrics:

1. Number of new cases. 

2. Percent positivity of COVID tests. 

3. Impact on hospitalizations. 

To move to a less restrictive level (e.g., Level 2 to Level 1), counties need to meet and sustain all three metrics for two weeks. At that point, a local government can choose to move to the next level until they achieve Protect Our Neighbors. With each level comes fewer restrictions. Once a county reaches Protect Our Neighbors, for each month it is sustained, they can reopen even further because the more the virus is contained, the more flexibility for the local government to open. 

If a county falls out of compliance, they will have two weeks to regain compliance. If they cannot come back into compliance, they begin a consultation process with CDPHE. During the consultation process, local factors, data, and mitigations will all be considered and the county and the state will work out next steps together.

The dial framework will replace the general variance process in most cases, though counties may still apply for limited, site-specific variances for things like extra large venues. All current variances will remain intact, either because the variance fits under the dial framework, or because they are still recognized. 

Gov. Polis today extended Executive Orders to increase the Medicaid home health workforce and eliminate cost sharing, and concerning the criminal justice system.

View the news conference on the Governor’s Facebook page, and view the Governor’s presentation. 

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