COLORADO SPRINGS — Gov. Jared Polis announced Colorado is adding a new level to the state's COVID-19 Dial. The new status dial now includes Level Purple, extreme risk, and is the most restrictive level on the dial. The updated dial will be effective on Friday, Nov. 20.
This new level will be used to indicate that hospitals are being overwhelmed. Under the new Level Purple, no indoor or outdoor dining will be allowed. Capacity will be greatly limited at churches and non-essential manufacturing, personal services and outdoor events and entertainment will close.
The state's COVID-19 dial is broken down into the following levels:
- Level Green: Protect our neighbors
- Level Blue: Caution
- Level Yellow: Concern
- Level Orange: High Risk
- Level Red: Severe Risk
- Level Purple: Extreme Risk
The dial framework determines what level a county will fall in by analyzing the number of new cases, percent positivity, and impact on hospitalizations.
Level Green: Protect Our Neighbors
The guidelines within Protect Our Neighbors allow 50% capacity at bars, gyms, offices, and restaurants among other settings. In-person learning for students is also suggested in this level.
For restaurants, this level will operate 50% capacity or 500 people indoors and for outdoor restaurants, there will need to be 6 feet between parties.
To be able to operate under these guidelines, a county must have 25 or fewer new cases per 100,000 people in a two-week period, a positivity rate of less than 5%, and stable or declining COVID-19 hospitalizations.
For a break down of capacity on Level Green, click here.
Level Blue: Caution
To be able to operate under the "cautious" level, a county must have 75 or fewer new cases per 100,000 people in a two-week period, a positivity rate of less than 5%, and no more than two new COVID-19 hospital admissions per day.
For restaurants, this level will operate 50% capacity or 175 people indoors and for outdoor restaurants, there will need to be 6 feet between parties.
This level will also operate with 50% capacity in retail, personal services, and offices.
For a break down of capacity on Level Blue, click here.
Level Yellow: Concern
For a county to operate within the Level Yellow: Concern level on the COVID-19 dial, the county would have to see 75-175 cases per 100,000 people, a positivity rate of 10% or less, and no more than two new COVID-19 hospital admissions per day.
Under this dial, restaurants will operate at 50% capacity indoors and 6 feet between parties outdoors per guidance. Bars will be closed
Offices will operate at 50% capacity but remote work is strongly encouraged. Gyms will operate at 25% capacity.
For a break down of capacity on Level Yellow, click here.
Level Orange: High Risk
For a county to operate within the Level Orange: High Risk level on the COVID-19 dial, the county would have to have a 15% positivity rate or less, 175-350 cases per 100,000 people, and greater than two new COVID-19 hospital admissions per day.
Under this dial, restaurants will operate at 25% capacity indoors and 6 feet between parties outdoors per guidance. Bars will be closed
Offices will operate at 25% capacity but remote work is strongly encouraged. Gyms will operate at 25% capacity, 25 indoors or outdoors in groups less than 10.
For a break down of capacity on Level Orange, click here.
Level Red: Severe Risk
To be able to operate under this level, there must be more than 15% positivity rate. 350 or more cases per 100,000 people, and greater than two new COVID-19 hospital admissions per day.
Under this dial, indoor dining is closed. Take out, curbside, delivery, or to go, will be available. Outdoor dining is open with only groups of your own household. Bars are closed on this level.
For a break down of capacity on Level Red, click here.
Level Purple: Extreme Risk
Under this dial, there will be no indoor and outdoor dining. Capacity will be greatly limited at churches and non-essential manufacturing, personal services, and outdoor events and entertainment will close.
