Governor Jared Polis has issued a public health order with new, aggressive measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Gatherings and events are now limited to no more than 10 people.
Retail stores are allowed to remain open with fewer than 10 people in the store at once. Restaurants can still have take-out service, but only five or fewer people can wait for food at a time.
The new order will run through April 17.
Polis also announced that he would be extending the suspension of downhill ski area operations through April 6, saying this is a necessary step to help slow the spread of the virus.
In Pitkin County, officials say new analysis shows community transmission is occuring.
Eagle County officials say they believe "hundreds, if not thousands of community members" have contracted the virus.
Pitkin and Eagle County both issued statements supporting the new public health order's “aggressive measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
“With this order, we are further communicating the importance that minimizing social contact and gatherings will have on slowing the spread of COVID-19,” Heath Harmon, director of Eagle County Public Health and Environment said in a statement. “Each of us has a role to play in protecting ourselves, our community, and our neighbors that may be at greatest risk for severe disease.”
The order also includes a list of businesses and services which are allowed to stay open, such as pharmacies and gas stations.
“This order will absolutely bring some extremely tough challenges to our community,” Harmon said. “It will take weeks to see the positive effect of these measures, which will directly rely on how well we can collectively accomplish them.”
