Like the other parents driving or walking by to pick up lunch, Hawkins is frustrated by shortages of basic supplies in grocery stores. The free meals help. Without the meals, she says a lot of people would come up short at the end of the month.

In DPS, nearly 68 percent of students qualify to receive federally assisted meals, according to the Denver Public Schools Foundation. The organization is soliciting financial contributions to allow DPS to extend the meal program for adults in need, as well as provide meals to children and adults over the weekend.

Kendra would like DPS to extend the age for free meals to 21, because she has a 20-year-old and 17-year-old at home.

Gina Jones, who came with her three children and her mom, says she’s also frustrated she can’t find basic supplies at the stores. She says the free meals will help with her budget.

Jenny Brundin/CPR News Gina Jones picked up meals for her family at Manual High School in Denver on Monday, March 16.

“They won’t be eating me out of house and home,” she laughs.

She also can’t find baby formula at the stores. She only has two cans left at home.

Kimberly Flowers walked up to collect lunches for her three kids and her niece and nephew, who she’s keeping an eye on since the outbreak started in Colorado. She says there are about 15 kids in her small apartment building.

“It’s like, where are they gonna be able to eat if this wasn't here?” Flowers said.

Jenny Brundin/CPR News Kimberly Flowers picked up meals for her own kids as well as her nieces and nephews at Manual High School in Denver on Monday, March 16.

Like many people, she’s confused and unsure of how worried to be.

“I can’t get anything at the store. I was like, ‘Oh my God, there's nothing here,'" Flowers said. "So should I start panicking? Like everybody is out here panicking. I'm like, 'If we would've just took it all calm, like we do any other virus, we might've been okay.' But now we’re running out of everything.”

— Jenny Brundin

3:08 p.m. — Gunnison County is essentially shutting down

Nathan Bilow / AP A small snow blower machine and a snow shoveler work in the early morning to remove the snow from the sidewalk for pedestrians who will occupy the main street, Elk Avenue of Crested Butte, Colo. on Monday, Dec. 20, 2010.

Gunnison County today released a public health order prohibiting groups of 10 or more from gathering in public spaces including bars, restaurants, child care centers and a host of other places as officials try to stymie the spread of COVID-19. Read the full story.

— Claire Cleveland

2:53 p.m. — Gov. Jared Polis will speak at 4:30 p.m.

The governor will hold a press conference at 4:30 p.m. at the state Capitol.

CPR will carry Gov. Jared Polis' address live on air. You will be able to hear it by clicking "Listen Live" above or asking your smart speaker to "Play CPR News."

— Alex Scoville

2:48 p.m. — Energy companies are suspending nonpayment disconnects

Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy both announced Monday that they won't shut off electric or natural gas services to a residence if a customer cannot pay their bill.

The two companies both acknowledged that long-term isolation and other disruptions caused by the new coronavirus outbreak could cause financial stress for customers. Xcel and Black Hills also offered to set up alternative payment plans.

— Alex Scoville

2:43 p.m. — The 4/20 festival in Denver has been called off

Euflora confirmed to Denverite that the FlyHi 420 Festival in Civic Center Park has been canceled.

Mayor Michael Hancock on Monday said the city was banning gatherings larger than 50 people.

— Esteban Hernandez

2:32 p.m. — The Denver Zoo is closing

The Denver Zoo will close Tuesday, March 17 to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Essential animal care and operations staff will continue to work.

All upcoming events and camps are also canceled. The zoo did not provide an estimated reopening date.

Hey, remember a happier time when they had that new baby rhino?

— Alex Scoville

1:53 p.m. — Peace Corps suspends operations and recalls all volunteers

The Peace Corps is suspending operations worldwide and evacuating volunteers back to the United States.

The organization had already called back volunteers in China and Mongolia.

— Alex Scoville

1:36 p.m. — Film industry makes big changes

The Sie FilmCenter in Denver, run by the nonprofit Denver Film, will suspend operations until April 3.

People with tickets for a showing during that time can use them as a credit to a future screening in the next 12 months, but the FilmCenter offered another solution too.

"As a not-for-profit organization, we would also ask that you please consider your existing ticket purchase a donation to our organization," the statement announcing the close read.

The move comes as other theaters, like Alamo Drafthouse and Landmark Theatre locations, limit capacity and increase cleanings. Some major studios, including Universal, are releasing their movies on-demand the same day they are being released in theaters.

— Alex Scoville

1:23 p.m. — Colorado Springs declares state of emergency

Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers is the latest Colorado mayor to declare a local state of emergency to help their city better access resources.

Suthers explained the decision in a statement:

“I declared a local State of Emergency because it gives the city its best ability to respond to the COVID-19 virus. The declaration does two things; first, it makes the city eligible for federal relief funding as it becomes available; second, it provides authority for mayoral regulations that can be put into place rapidly to address the situation as needed. This should not be cause for further alarm, but a signal that our city continues to monitor the situation and respond in a prudent, efficient and effective manner in constant coordination with our partners at El Paso County Health and El Paso County."

Colorado's first — and as of Monday afternoon, only — death attributed to coronavirus was in El Paso County. A woman in her 80s died in a Colorado Springs hospital on Friday.

— Alex Scoville

1:19 p.m. — The state's federal courthouses get stricter about who's allowed in

Colorado's chief federal judge has put several restrictions on people entering federal courthouses in Colorado.

This includes people who have traveled in the last two weeks to a handful of heavily affected countries, including Italy and China; anyone who has been asked to self-quarantine by any doctor or health care organization; or those showing signs of illness, including shortness of breath and fever.

— Allison Sherry

1:17 p.m. — Colorado State University will keep classes online through the end of the spring semester

The university had originally just planned on staying remote through April 10. CSU president Joyce McConnell announced the extension through the end of the semester on Monday.

— Alex Scoville

1:12 p.m. — Bennet wants to ensure internet access to K-12 students at home

As schools shutter and classes move online due to the coronavirus, Democratic Sen. Michael Benent is urging the FCC to ensure students have adequate internet at home.

Bennet and 15 other Democratic senators have written to the Federal Communications Commission to ask the agency to use e-Rate funds to help schools provide wifi-enabled devices or wifi hotspots to K-12 students who lack internet access at home.

“This swift, immediate action would help ensure that all students can remotely continue their education during the current public health emergency,” Bennet said.

Several Colorado school districts will be closed until early April. Bennet also joined 17 Democratic senators in asking major internet providers to provide free or at-cost options for students who would otherwise lack access.

— Caitlyn Kim

12:35 p.m. — A message from our favorite horse