The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has released the latest update to Colorado’s COVID-19 dial framework: Dial 3.0. The updated dial and public health order went into effect Wednesday, March 24. State officials expect that the Dial 3.0 will remain in effect through April 15, at which point the state plans to retire the dial and implement a new public health order that gives greater control over capacity restrictions to local public health agencies.

Dial 3.0 Updated Metrics Dial 3.0 Updated Capacity Restrictions

The Main Changes in the Dial 3.0

For Level Green

• The metrics for Level Green: Protect Our Neighbors have changed. These changes make it easier for counties to achieve Protect Our Neighbors status. Now, counties qualify for Protect Our Neighbors if they have up to 35 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people — up from 15 cases.
• There is no longer a certification process for Level Green: Protect Our Neighbors. Counties will be moved into Level Green once they maintain the appropriate metrics for at least one week.
• Most restrictions in Level Green: Protect Our Neighbors are now removed. Bars and indoor events must still adhere to a 50% capacity limit or a 500-person cap, whichever is fewer.
• Outdoor events no longer have state-level capacity restrictions under the dial. Counties may choose to implement capacity restrictions on outdoor events at the local level.

For Level Blue

• The metrics range for Level Blue is now 36 – 100 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people.
• Bars can now open under Level Blue. The capacity limit is 25% capacity or 75 people, whichever is fewer.
• Outdoor events no longer have state-level capacity restrictions under the dial. 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.

How this affects Summit County

While Summit County is currently in Level Yellow, case numbers have been increasing. Summit County has had Orange level case numbers (over 345 cases/100k people) for a of couple days in a row. If our case numbers remain at this level for more than five days, the state may move us to Orange.

­­Personal Gatherings

• Personal Gatherings (including lodging and restaurant seating)-  For counties in Yellow, Blue and Green, the CDPHE Dial suggests personal gatherings follow CDC guidance for small gatherings which recommends people not gather with folks outside of their household.
• Although we are still in Yellow, in Summit County, the limit of 2 households/10 persons is expected to remain in place until we see a decline in cases or the Dial is retired so cases are not so closely linked to business restrictions.
• The Dial still prohibits gatherings with more than 2 households and 10 persons for counties in Orange.
• For counties in Red and Purple on the Dial, gatherings are not permitted.

Masks

The updated dial does not change Colorado’s current statewide mask mandate. Separate from the dial changes, the current mask Executive Order expires April 3, and at that time, the Governor may choose to make modifications. The state released modified mask order components as part of the Dial 3.0 stakeholder engagement process. Feedback received as part of that process will be considered prior to April 3.

5 Star Businesses

• 5 Star restaurants and gyms in Levels Blue and Yellow may operate at 100% capacity with 6 feet of distance between parties as a way to provide businesses with increased flexibility, while still limiting indoor mass gatherings. The state expects that maintaining a 6-foot distancing requirement will be a limiting factor for most indoor spaces. The 6-feet of distance is expected to drop when we reach 70-80% of immunity or we get into Green on the Dial.
• 5 Star certified seated and unseated indoor events may operate at 50% capacity with a 500-person limit in Level Blue. 5 Star seated indoor events in Level Yellow may operate at 50% capacity with a 225-person limit and unseated indoor events in Level Yellow may operate at 50% capacity with a 175-person limit.

Stay Diligent

COVID-19 still presents risks, even to healthy people, so everyone should continue to take precautions until the vaccine becomes widely available and used. Between visitor numbers declining and seasonal staff departing due the beginning of mud season, as well as resident vaccinations increasing and warmer weather on the way, the actions each one of us takes can help drive case numbers back down.

Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov and Summit County’s COVID-19 page.