CONEJOS —Pursuant to C.R.S. 25-1-506 and other applicable authority, this Order sets forth guidance and requirements for, as well as limitations on, group gatherings to slow the spread of the Covid-19 Virus.



On March 10, 2020, the Governor of Colorado declared a state of Emergency related to the presence of Covid-19 in the State. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has confirmed that Covid-19 continues to spread throughout the State of Colorado.



On March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a National

Emergency due to Covid-19, and gave further guidance on March 16, 2020.



The age, condition, and health of a significant portion of the population in Conejos

County places it at risk of serious health complications, including death, from Covid-19. Although most individual who contract Covid-19 do not become seriously ill, persons with mild symptoms and asymptomatic persons with Covid-19 may place other vulnerable members of the public at significant risk. A large surge in the number of persons with serious infections can compromise the ability of the healthcare system, particularly in the high country counties currently affected by community transmission, to deliver necessary healthcare to the public.



The limitation on large gatherings and use of social distancing decreases the risk of Covid-19 transmission to our most vulnerable populations, and is especially important for people who are over 60 years old and those with chronic health conditions due to their higher risk of severe illness and death from Covid- 19. This Order will reduce the likelihood that many individuals will be exposed to Covid-19 at a single even, and will therefore slow the spread of Covid-19 in our communities.

This Order is adopted pursuant to the legal authority set forth in sections 25-1-506 and 25-1-508, C.R.S. Under these laws, the Conejos County Public Health Director has the duty to investigate and control the causes of epidemic or communicable diseases and conditions affecting public health and to establish, maintain, and enforce isolation and quarantine, and in pursuance thereof, and for this purpose only, to exercise physical control over property and over the persons of the people within the jurisdiction of the agency as the agency may find necessary for the protection of the public health.



This Order shall apply to all unincorporated areas of Conejos County, Colorado and all incorporated (municipal) areas that do not have their own public health agency.



All events must follow the requirements stated herein.



DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Order:

An “Event” is a gathering for business, social, or recreational activities, or a location that engages in or allows for such activities; that take place indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to, community, civic, public, leisure, or sporting events; parades; concerts; festivals; assemblies; places of worship; conventions; fundraisers; restaurants that have a capacity of 30 or more persons and that have 30 or more persons present; community recreational centers; ice rinks; libraries; child care centers; and similar locations and activities.



“Event” does not include activities that are primarily individual or occur in small groups or in non-congregate settings, such as places of employment or primarily small-group sports. “Event” also does not include places of employment for federal, state, local and special district employees, employees of public utilities or utility service providers. An “Event” does not include restaurants, as long as restaurants adhere to the requirements for social distancing.



Schools

At this point, we are not recommending closing schools, but we are watching the outbreak closely and may determine that school closures are necessary. Schools, parents and employers should take steps now to prepare for the possibility of prolonged mandatory closures.

In particular, schools should plan for how to continue to provide non-educational support for their students such as providing food, developmental disability support, and school-based healthcare.



ORDER

All events of more than 30 people or more are prohibited.

Events with fewer than 30 attendees are prohibited unless event organizers take the following steps to mitigate risks:

Social distancing recommendations must be met. These include limiting contact of people within 6 feet from each other for 10 minutes or longer, and any other guidance.

Employees must be screened for Covid-19 each day and excluded if symptomatic.

Proper hand hygiene and sanitation must be readily available to all attendees and employees.

Environmental cleaning guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and prevention (“CDC”) are followed.



GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ALL PERSONS AFFECTED BY THIS ORDER

If you have questions regarding this Order, please contact the Conejos County Public Health Department at 719-274-4307.



Conejos County is tasked with protecting the health and welfare of the citizens of Conejos County, Colorado by investigating and controlling the causes of epidemic and communicable disease. This order is necessary to control any potential transmission of disease to others. Immediate issuance of this order is necessary for the preservation of public health, safety, or welfare.

Any person aggrieved and affected by this order has the right to request judicial review by filing any action with the Conejos County District Court within 90 days of the date of this Order, pursuant to section 25-1-515, C.R.S. However, you must continue to obey the terms of this Order while your request for review is pending.



This Order is in effect until midnight time April 15, 2020, and is subject to continue review by the Public Health Director.



On declaring a disaster in Conejos County

WHEREAS, the Colorado Disaster Emergency Act, 24-33.5-701, et seq., provide procedures for statewide and local prevention of, preparation for, response to, and recovery from disasters; an

WHEREAS, pursuant to section 24-33.5-703(3), a “disaster” is defined to mean “the occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from any natural cause or cause of human origin, including but not limited to fire, flood, earthquake, wind, storm, wave action, hazardous substance incident, oil spill or other water contamination requiring emergency action to avert danger or damage, volcanic activity, epidemic/pandemic, air pollution, blight, drought, infestation, explosion, civil disturbance, or hostile military or paramilitary action, or a condition of riot, insurrection, or invasion”; and,

WHEREAS, pursuant to C.R.S. 24-33.5-709, a local disaster may be declared, “only by the principal executive officer of a political subdivision;” and

WHEREAS, pursuant to sections 30-10-307 and 308, C.R.S., as amended, the chairman of the Board of County Commissioners (“BOCC”) is the principal executive officer of Conejos County and, in the absence of the chair, the vice-chair is statutorily authorized to act as the principal executive officer; and,

WHEREAS, pursuant to section 24-33.5-709(1), the declaration of a local disaster “shall not be continued or renewed for a period in excess of seven days except by or with the consent of the governing board of the political subdivision;” and,

WHEREAS, pursuant to C.R.S. 24-33.5-709(1), any order declaring, continuing, or terminating a local disaster “shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk and Recorder;” and

WHEREAS, pursuant to C.R.S. 24-33.5-709(2), the effect of declaring a local disaster “is to activate the response and recovery aspects of any and all applicable local and interjurisdictional disaster emergency plans and to authorize the furnishing of aid and assistance under such plans;” and,

WHEREAS, by declaring a local disaster, the Conejos County Disaster Policies are in effect; and,

WHEREAS, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, which occurred or began to occur on March 5, 2020, Conejos County and/or jurisdictions within its boundaries, is suffering, or has suffered, or will suffer a disaster as defined under C.R.S. 24-33.5-703(3); and,

WHEREAS, the cost and magnitude of responding to and recovering from the impact of this disaster exceeds Conejos Countys available resources.



NOW, THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED AND ORDERED, by the chair or vice-chair of the Board of County Commissioners, County of Conejos, State of Colorado, that a disaster emergency is declared in and for the County of Conejos, Colorado, beginning on March 16, 2020 and ending April 16, 2020, unless further extended by consent of the Board of County Commissioners.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONEJOS COUNTY, COLORADO

Chair/Vice-Chair: Carlos Garcia

Attest CLERK AND RECORDER