John Scarffe, Colorado. During the weekend of March 28 to 29, 2020, U.S. President Donald Trump approved a request by Colorado Governor Jared Polis to declare a major disaster for Colorado. Polis and a majority of Colorado’s congressional delegation signed the urgent request. The declaration now allows for more federal funding as the number of positive coronavirus cases rises daily in the state.

During a press conference on Monday, March 30, Gov. Polis said that people who are under 50 years of age are now among those who have died from coronavirus in Colorado. At least two patients in their 40’s are now among the 51 people who have died, Polis said. 

Between 80 percent and 85 percent of people who test positive don’t require hospitalization or intensive treatment and will self-resolve as they completely isolate themselves and don’t spread coronavirus to others. Polis said this is the worst breakout since the Spanish Flu and encouraged residents to stay home as much as possible and maintain the six-feet social distancing. 

Congressman Joe Neguse issued a statement on March 26, and said he learned that representatives would be called back to Washington D.C. due to some Republicans opposing the much-needed emergency relief bill – the CARES Act – putting its passage in jeopardy. “My friend Congressman Ed Perlmutter and I were fortunate to catch a red-eye flight together out of Denver that night, so we could do our part,” Neguse said.

In the Baltimore airport, Neguse saw custodial workers working late into the night, and was reminded of the countless hard-working Americans who continue to serve throughout this crisis. “As you may know, we passed the CARES Act the following day, which has since been signed into law,” he said.

The bill includes more than $2 trillion in economic and public health relief for families, hospitals and businesses, including direct cash payments, an expansion of unemployment insurance, grants for small businesses, and money to replenish necessary medical supplies. Colorado alone will receive $2 billion for the Colorado Coronavirus Relief Fund, and millions of dollars in support for child care, homeless housing assistance, transit assistance and election assistance funds. 

Colorado issued a Stay-At-Home Order on March 25, 2020, going into effect at 6 a.m. Thursday, March 26, and is expected to end April 11. As of Tuesday afternoon, March 31, 2,966 cases of the virus have been reported in Colorado. 

Cases have been reported in 50 counties in Colorado, and 16,849 people had been tested, public health officials confirmed, with 509 people hospitalized, and 69 deaths confirmed with 16 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities. Boulder County reported 107 cases. Gilpin County reported zero cases. Clear Creek County reported four, and Jefferson County reported 304 cases. 

Boulder County Public Health received notice on March 25, 2020, that a Lafayette resident more than 60 years old who had tested positive for COVID-19 has died. The individual had underlying health conditions that were exacerbated by COVID-19. This is the only confirmed death related to COVID-19 in Boulder County to date.

“Our hearts go out to this family,” said Jeff Zayach, Boulder County Public Health director. “My hope is that we all view this heartbreaking news as a solemn warning about the importance of heeding the Stay-at-Home Order and social distancing requirements in order to prevent more tragedies like this.”

COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets spread when a person with the illness coughs or sneezes. People who have prolonged contact within six feet of a person with the disease are most at risk of transmission.

Under the Stay-At-Home order, Colorado residents will still be able to leave their homes to get groceries and medicine. People who work in essential services are exempt from the order. 

On March 25, 2020, Nederland Town Mayor issued a statement and said: “Under this order, we can still go to the B&F and Co-op to shop for food. We can still order food to go from our restaurants and fresh-beer from our breweries. Ace Hardware, car mechanics and bike mechanics are all considered essential services during this crisis and remain open.”

Due to the statewide Stay-At-Home closure order, all Nederland Parks, Playgrounds, and outdoor facilities are closed until further notice in order to help curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Town Hall and the Community Center will also remain closed to the public until further notice, but many employees are still working, so if you need to get a hold of a town employee, contact 303-258-3266 and press “0” to leave a message on the main voicemail. The Town will return your calls in a timely manner.

The Nederland Fire Protection Board Meeting set for April 1, 2020, has been canceled. Partners in Energy will be hosting bi-weekly conference calls at noon with the Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB) starting April 8, 2020. Meetings will be on Wednesday, April 8, Wednesday, April 22, Wednesday, May 6, Wednesday, May 20, Wednesday, June 3 and Wednesday, June 17. Join the meeting online at https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/143068973.

Thanks to the Nederland Community Presbyterian Church, mountain residents can get help with having their groceries or medicine picked up, or other assistance during the pandemic. Please call 303-258-3387 or email nedadvocate@gmail.com.

Following the Governor’s Executive Order on Saturday, the Secretary of State’s Office has set up a process that will enable Coloradans access to notary services without in-person contact. “Stopping the spread of COVID-19 while still providing the services Coloradans rely on has been our main focus over the last two weeks,” said Secretary of State Jena Griswold. “Remote notarization is the latest of these important services.” 

On Saturday, Governor Polis issued an Executive Order that ordered the temporary suspension of the personal appearance requirement before notarial officers to perform notarizations due to the presence of coronavirus disease in Colorado. Secretary Griswold has issued emergency rules that outline the procedures and requirements for remote notarization in Colorado during this state of emergency. 

The Secretary of State’s Office has worked with stakeholders, including the Colorado Bar Association, on legislation on remote notary service over the last several years. The emergency remote notary process builds on this work.

Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov. Residents can learn more about the Stay-At-Home Order at www.boco.org/COVID-19. For general information about COVID-19, residents can call CO-Help at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 or email them at COHELP@RMPDC.org. Both call centers have Spanish-speaking staff available.

(Originally published in the April 2, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)