Due to a sustained decrease in COVID-19 positive cases and hospitalizations throughout the State of Colorado, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has moved the all counties currently operating within the Red Level: Severe Risk restrictions back to Level Orange: High Risk effective Monday, January 4. The move to Level Orange indicates an improvement throughout the state to contain the virus. Among the restriction changes in Level Orange are permitting indoor dining up to 25-percent capacity or 50 people (whichever is less), allowing personal gatherings up to 10 people and increasing gym capacity from 10 to 25-percent. 

CDPHE’s decision follows Governor Jared Polis' request on Dec. 30 to loosen restrictions for counties in Level Red to move to Level Orange. In a statement, Gov. Polis called this improvement “a direct result of Coloradans stepping up and taking the steps to protect themselves and others,” citing a sustained decline (in COVID-19 cases) for 13 days and only 73-percent of ICU beds statewide in use.

According to the CDPHE COVID-19 dial, Level Orange means Adams County transitions from Stay at Home to Strongly Advised to Stay at Home measures. Among the restrictions:

• Indoor dining is allowed up to 25-percent capacity or 50 people (whichever is less)
• Last call (on premises) is extended from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Personal gatherings are permitted up to 10 people from no more than 2 households
• Offices can increase from 10 to 25-percent capacity (remote work is strongly encouraged)
• Gym/fitness center capacity increases from to 25-percent or 25 people per indoor room (whichever is less)
• Indoor events are allowed up to 25-percent capacity or 50 people (whichever is less)

Per the guidelines of Level Orange, City Hall will re-open on Tuesday, Jan. 5 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at a limited 25-percent capacity with reduced staffing. Individuals with specific needs are still encouraged to first contact the department you would like to reach or you can call the city’s main phone line at 303-655-2000. Residents may also visit www.brightonco.gov for many online services. Effective Monday, Jan. 4, the Brighton Recreation Center will operate at 25-percent capacity or 25 people per indoor room (whichever is less), with temperature checks and face coverings still required. Reservations will no longer be required for most amenities, except for pool entry, racquetball and fitness classes. Aquatics reservations will move to 70-minute time slots and allow for more swimmers (up to two lap swimmers per lane from the household, up to four swimmers in the leisure pool Mondays - Fridays, and a maximum of 10 swimmers in the leisure pools at all other times). The water slide will be available for use starting at 10:30 a.m. Mondays - Fridays and all day on weekends. Drop-in pickleball and basketball will be permitted. The Rec Center will be closed for cleaning every day of the week (Mondays - Fridays from 10 - 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 - 3 p.m., Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., and Sundays after public hours). Eagle View Adult Center remains closed, but continues to offer a variety of virtual programs for residents. The Brighton Police Department remains open and Municipal Court continues to hold most court sessions virtually via Zoom.

Residents are encouraged to download Adams County’s new COVID View mobile app to view the latest outbreak data for the county, current case statistics and restrictions, testing site locations, local restaurants offering curbside and takeout services and other resources. Downloading the app will also text messages with important COVID-19 updates and notifications. To download the app, click here for Apple users or here for Google Play by searching “COVID View,” “COVIDVIEW” or “AdCoGov.”

Per TCHD’s face covering mandate extension on Oct. 20, 2020, face coverings remain mandatory in Adams County for all adults and children 10 or older in indoor public spaces and outdoor spaces whenever six-foot distancing with people outside your household cannot be maintained. The extension is in effect until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic or until it is amended or rescinded.

If you have questions regarding the public health order or would like to report a violation of the order, please contact TCHD at 303-220-9200.