John Scarffe, Peak to Peak. Colorado Governor Jared Polis extended the state’s Stay-At-Home Order due to COVID-19 until the end of April during a special address on Monday, May 6, 2020. Most public offices in the Peak to Peak region remain closed but are offering online services including food and financial assistance.

Colorado issued a Stay-At-Home Order on March 25, 2020, going into effect at 6 a.m. Thursday, March 26. It was expected to end on April 11. 

As of Tuesday afternoon, April 7, 5,429 cases of the virus have been reported in Colorado. Cases have been reported in 54 counties in Colorado, and 28,094 people have been tested, public health officials confirmed, with 1,079 people hospitalized, and 179 deaths confirmed with 44 outbreaks at residential and non-hospital health care facilities.

Boulder County reported 206 cases. Gilpin County reported zero cases. Clear Creek County reported seven, and Jefferson County reported 579 cases. 

Polis said some grocery stores are limiting admission. “We are in dire and serious threats on our lives,” Polis said. In one month, the pandemic has overturned society and turned everything upside down. “It seems like a cruel joke,” Polis said -- not being able to visit our countryside. 

Many people are depressed, angry and wondering how they can we keep their businesses afloat. On April 30, this can likely end, and Polis is hoping to get this going sooner in Colorado maybe by April 26. 

“The fewer social interactions we have we will be better off,” Polis said, and expressed concerns that health professionals will not be able to cope, and they won’t have the equipment they need. Positive cases were doubling every one and a half days, and now they are doubling every six days. “You are helping to turn the tide against the virus,” he said.

Polis said that when you do go out, wear a mask or scarf. As a result, Gilpin County residents may not be hearing jets flying over their heads right now, but scissors and sewing machines are constantly “singing” in homes to make masks for protection against the pandemic, according to Sharon Perea, one of the organizers.

  On March 21, volunteers for the Mountain Mask Project began to make and deliver free face masks for local businesses and organizations. Numbers have quickly jumped, and in two weeks, they have grown from 10 to 20 requests to nearly 1,000 masks that have now been distributed throughout area communities. 

They have received more than 34 requests from businesses, organizations, city and county employees, fire departments, U.S. postal workers and others in need of masks.

The number of requests increases every single day. Their 31 volunteers include three organizers plus much needed cutters, sewers and drivers.

They include individuals as well as entire families contributing their free time and effort to keep up with the daily demand for masks. The project welcomes volunteers to join their efforts. If you wish to volunteer, donate fabric or masks or receive further information, please call 303-642-0243 or email mountainmaskproject@gmail.com.

Also, in Gilpin County, the Board of County Commissioners approved a two-week precautionary closure of County Offices through May 1, which will be evaluated to make extensions as necessary. In addition, the board approved an emergency declaration that opens up the possibility for reimbursement from the state or federal government due to potential costs associated with COVID-19.

Additional information about the state of emergency and closures will be posted on the Sheriff’s Office Website: www.gilpincountysheriff.com and on Facebook. 

On Friday, March 13, 2020, the county declared a disaster emergency and closed all public buildings until March 27. On March 24, the county extended the declaration through May 1. 

“We have instituted an emergency pay plan that runs concurrent with these closures and while essential services like the Sheriff’s Office, Solid Waste and snow plowing continue, we have asked all employees to work remotely as they are able to.”

The commissioners have instituted twice weekly online meetings that the public can attend. “As of this date we have no identified cases of COVID-19 although the concern is that we will see cases in the weeks ahead. We have asked all staff who work in a county building to practice safe distancing and monitor their health closely.” 

The front, public entrance, lobby at the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office will be closed until further notice, but they are still available by phone at 303-582-1060. 

In Nederland, on April 2, 2020, the town announced that being able to access transportation for necessary travel is important; therefore, the Town of Nederland will be processing new EcoPasses by appointment. Contact Town Hall at 303-258-3266 ext. 0.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is running and has waived all verification and is automatically issuing the highest amount. In order to apply for SNAP, people can apply on 2-1-1 or online or over the phone with their local human services department.

Even though the Nederland Visitors’ Center is not open right now, they have a new online store and hope residents and visitors will continue to support local and purchase some of the amazing items they have to offer or make a donation if you can at https://squareup.com/store/nederlandvisitorcenter/

The Nederland 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.

As Boulder County addresses the ever-evolving issues presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, they are asking the public to do as much of their county-related business online as they are able. A list of available online services that are provided by Boulder County departments and offices is available at https://www.bouldercounty.org/families/disease/covid-19/boulder-county-online-services/

On March 16, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis ordered a general shutdown of public spaces to further decrease the rapid spread of COVID-19. These measures are being put in place in Boulder County to help reduce the rate of transmission and the rapid rise of cases, known as “flattening the curve.” This protects the integrity of our health care system and our most vulnerable populations.

With this is mind, all Boulder County facilities are closed for business, with the exception of emergency response. Services that can be delivered electronically or by mail or phone will be available for the next 30 days. This includes motor vehicle registration, recording and taxation services.

Boulder County staff who are able to work remotely will be doing so, which may delay responses to general inquiries; however, some county employees will report to work locations to perform duties in response to the COVID-19 emergency or to perform functions that are related to public safety or are required by statute.

On May 6, Polis said the better job we do of staying in, the sooner we will be able to go out. About 80 to 90 percent of those who contract the virus won’t need hospitalization, but 20 percent will. He is moving heaven and earth to get the equipment for health care workers and to build more hospital beds to meet the needs. 

The federal government agreed to pay Americans to stay at home, Polis said, and they have a Federal package to keep people on the payroll. 

“It was the lost month. Use this time to reconnect with family and loved ones. Use Skype and Zoom. Let’s stay positive. There will be a day when we can once again be physically together.

 “Right now, dig deep into our souls to carry on as we have before, and consider a tradition of going outside at 8 p.m. to thank those who are contributing. Cheer are own scientists at Colorado State University, who are working to solve the problem. 

“We will survive this by embracing the world rather than shrinking from of it.”

During an online Town Hall meeting hosted by Colorado Speaker of the House KC Becker, she said, the state has a $13 billion budget and the big chunks go for education, then health care, human services, higher education and the judicial system. They are looking at a $2 billion cut to the budget, so they are writing the budget now and figuring out where to make cuts.

The legislator is not meeting now, because it involves thousands of people in the capitol every day. When they can, they will discuss issues such as business interruption and rental situations and will look more into that.

Boulder County Housing and Human Services Director Frank Alexander said a commercial landlord with a commercial tenant should apply for a small business loan. Funds are available. Everyone should apply for the resources available. 

They will have back logs of work, but resources are massive, so it is critical that people apply for benefits, managing commercial property, approaching financial institutions and applying for small business loans. 

(Originally published in the April 9, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)