Arthur DeVitalis, Gilpin County. With the advent of COVID-19 in America, casinos in Black Hawk and Central City have been shuttered for more than 12 weeks. With many locally employed and much tourist revenue earned by the businesses, this was terrible news for Gilpin residents. 

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment approved a variance to the state’s safer-at-home order June 6, allowing casinos to reopen. This meant that casinos in Black Hawk and Central City could reopen June 17, provided they met certain conditions.

At least six feet of social distancing should be maintained, to not exceed 50% of the current occupancy limit. Total numbers cannot exceed 175 people in a confined indoor space. A total of 250 maximum are allowed outdoors. 

Staff at casinos must be monitored daily for symptoms, and those that show potential signs of coronavirus must be isolated until they are fever-free for 72 hours, show that other symptoms are lessening, and at least 10 full days have passed since symptoms began. 

The casinos in Gilpin must provide accommodations for those considered at higher risk, encouraging them to follow stay-at-home requirements. Signs must also be posted instructing guests that are symptomatic to not enter, including a spot-temperature check. Body temperatures cannot exceed 100.4 degrees, or patrons will not be admitted. 

In addition, plastic barriers have been installed, with every other slot machine to be shut down to maintain distance. Only slots are open, with table games yet to be approved. 

Nationally, two-thirds of casinos have reopened, though a recent surge in COVID-19 reminds us that the future is not guaranteed. 

Still, those locally hope to jump start the economy again, particularly for locals that need the income and others that want to win big.

(Originally published in the June 18, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)