PitCo Says State Public Health Order Changes Won't Go Into Affect Here Until Later
Thursday, June 18 - Changes to Colorado’s statewide public health order to go into effect today, but any of those changes will not go into effect in Pitkin County until the local public health order is amended, according to a release from the county. Pitkin County could choose to be more restrictive or less restrictive with its next set of rules, as allowed by a variance.
On June 22, Pitkin County and the Medical Advisory Team will meet to decide if there should be any changes to its current order. On June 25, the Board of Health will review data and consider potential dates to move into the next phase.
Currently, residential camps, bars, and group sizes over 50 are prohibited and will be reassessed on June 22, taking the past week’s virus data into consideration.
Pitkin, Eagle and Garfield Counties Report "Increasing" New Daily COVID-19 Cases
Thursday, June 18 - All three counties in the Roaring Fork Valley reported an "increasing" number of COVID-19 cases per day, as calculated on a seven-day average. According to Pitkin County's online data tracker, Pitkin and Eagle both had two new cases per day, and Garfield had three.
In Pitkin County, increased testing brought increased numbers of positive cases. The last week of May saw zero new cases on 67 tests, the next week saw two new cases on 80 tests and the week ending June 14 saw seven new cases on 121 tests. For each of those weeks, the rate of positive tests (as a portion of total tests) was around 5%, below the 10% threshold that would indicate a "concerning" level.
"Glenwood Gold" Encourages Tourists To Vacation in Glenwood Springs
Wednesday, June 17 - Garfield County approved the"Glenwood Gold"stimulus program, which offers $100 to the first 1,000 visitors in town that book at least a two-night weekend stay in Glenwood Springs between July 1 and Sept. 30.
The $100 in Glenwood Gold can be spent at local participating businesses. The business is then reimbursed for any Glenwood Gold spent at their store within two weeks by the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association.
To redeem Glenwood Gold, visitors must fill out an online form and claim the money at the city's visitor center at 802 Grand Avenue.
The Garfield County Board of Commissioners allotted $50,000 for the program, as well at $50,000 toward a promotional campaign.
"Basalt Bucks" Coming In the Mail Next Week
Tuesday, June 16 - The Town of Basalt announced that its $20 vouchers will be in the mail soon to each address in the town. The "Basalt Bucks" were approved unanimously by Town Council to provide a voucher to each household in Basalt to help local businesses recover from COVID-19-related closures.
So far, more than two dozen local businesses have signed up to accept Basalt Bucks, which are redeemable until August 19.
Town of Snowmass Village Announces New Economic Stimulus Program
Tuesday, June 16 - The Town of Snowmass Village has created the "Love a Local" program, sending out $25 vouchers to Snowmass Village and Woody Creek P.O. Boxes and Aspen and Old Snowmass residential addresses before the end of June.
Participation is open to all businesses who have a Town of Snowmass Village business license and a physical location in Snowmass Village. Businesses can join the program by registering online. The town has committed $200,000 to the program.
Four Pitkin County Organizations Receive State Relief Grants
Sunday, June 14 - Four Pitkin County organizations received grants from Colorado’s COVID relief fund. Aspen Family Connections, Aspen Youth Center, Aspen Hope Center and Alpine Legal Services were given a combined $94,000. Their efforts include food assistance, educational resources, emotional care and legal aid.
In total, the state distributed $14 million to organizations working on prevention, impact, and recovery efforts, through four rounds of distribution. Grants were awarded to organizations in every county in Colorado. Garfield County’s government also received 25 thousand dollars for food assistance.
