The state health department recently announced it is adding a sixth level to Colorado’s COVID-19 dial framework — Level Purple: Extreme Risk — effective Friday, Nov. 20. The new level is one step higher than Level Red: Severe Risk, which was previously the highest level on the dial.
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the adjusted Level Red indicates “counties where there is severe risk of COVID-19 spreading rapidly, while allowing some businesses to remain open at very limited capacity.” Counties at Level Purple are where “hospital capacity risks being breached and most businesses and indoor services must be closed.”
The update comes as the CDPHE notified several counties of their statuses moving up on the COVID-19 dial, including 15 counties that will have restrictions increased to Level Red on Friday.
- Counties moving to Level Red on Friday: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, La Plata, Logan, Mesa, Morgan, Routt, Summit, Washington
- Counties moving to Level Orange: Costilla, Custer, Lake, Montezuma, Pitkin, San Juan
- Counties moving to Level Yellow: Las Animas, Gunnison
A summary of what each level means and the restrictions in place:
Level Purple: Extreme Risk (stay at home ordered)
Level Purple is for counties where there is extreme risk of hospitalizations exceeding hospital capacity. All businesses must significantly decrease in-person functions, restaurants are closed for indoor and outdoor dining, but take out and delivery is still allowed. People may not gather in groups and must stay home except for necessary activities.
Level Red: Severe Risk (stay at home)
Level Red is for counties with more than 350 positive cases per 100,000, a positivity rate above 15% and more than two new hospitalizations per day over a two-week period. Business offices must limit capacity to 10% and remote work is strongly encouraged. Restaurants are closed for indoor dining but outdoor dining in household groups is allowed, and take out and delivery can continue. People may not gather in groups and most indoor activities are prohibited or strictly limited. Outdoor activities are encouraged as an alternative.
Level Orange: High Risk (strongly advised to stay at home)
Level Orange is for counties with 175 to 350 positive cases per 100,000, a 10-15% positivity rate and more than two new hospitalizations per day over a two-week period. Business offices are required to limit capacity to 25% and remote work is strongly encouraged. Restaurants can continue indoor dining with 25% capacity or 50 people, whichever is fewer. Personal gatherings are limited to 10 people from no more than two households.
Level Yellow: Concern (advised to stay at home)
Level Yellow is for counties with 75 to 175 positive cases per 100,000, a 5-10% positivity rate and two or fewer hospitalizations per day over a two-week period. Business offices must limit capacity to 50% and remote work is strongly encouraged. Restaurants can continue indoor dining with 50% capacity or up to 100 people depending on the amount of space available for social distancing requirements. Personal gatherings are limited to 10 people from no more than two households.
Level Blue: Caution (use caution)
Level Blue is for counties with fewer than 75 positive cases per 100,000, a positivity rate under 5% and two or fewer hospitalizations per day over a two-week period. Business offices are required to limit capacity to 50%. Restaurants can continue indoor dining with 50% capacity or up to 175 people. Personal gatherings are limited to 10 people from no more than two households.
Level Green: Protect Our Neighbors (use caution)
Level Green is for counties that have achieved all eight “Protect Our Neighbors” metrics and completed a certification process. Business offices and indoor dining at restaurants is limited to 50% capacity. The size of in-person gatherings is determined by local officials.
A more detailed chart of restrictions at each level can be found here.
