Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Black Hawk. Black Hawk casinos have been given approval to open on June 17, 2020, at 8 a.m. This approval is for machine gaming only.

A variance was submitted by Gilpin County and was approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The Gilpin Board of Public Health will now guide Black Hawk’s casinos on a reopening and operational plan.

Since this is the era of Covid-19 the casinos will not look exactly the same as prior to the pandemic. Safety procedures and protocols must be in place and followed.

Employers are responsible for monitoring all employees and contract workers daily for Covid-19 symptoms. If showing symptoms an employee can not be at work. They need to be isolated until they are fever free for 72 hours, other symptoms have improved and 10 days after symptoms began. 

Signs are required on casino doors explaining to guests that if they are experiencing symptoms related to Covid-19 they are not to enter. 

The buses that are used to transport guests must be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly between rides and after the last route.

Casinos must also make accommodations for employees who are at higher risk and are encouraged to stay at home during this time. 

To open, casinos must comply with social distancing according to public health orders. To provide six feet in social distancing the public health order says that the limit pursuant to this variance is 50% of the posted occupancy code limit ensuring a minimum 28 square feet per person not to exceed more than 175 people at a time in a confined indoor space, and 250 people in any outdoor setting. 

Dining and lodging at Black Hawk’s casinos must also follow all current public health orders. Table gaming will be under review in the near future.

The City of Black Hawk and it’s casinos are looking forward to the reopening of the gaming industry. 

(Originally published in the June 11, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)