Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment releases Colorado’s dial framework for Protect Our Neighbors, Safer at Home, and Stay at Home

Sept. 15:

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) today released a dial to help local governments and Coloradans navigate and apply safety guidance throughout the pandemic.

The dial is based on stakeholder feedback and goes into effect Tuesday, September 15.

• View the dial.
• View the dial framework fact sheet.
• View the dial framework policy.

“We hope the dial can provide communities with clarity and predictability,” said CDPHE executive director Jill Hunsaker Ryan. “Recognizing that Colorado is a diverse and vast state, the dial is based on local conditions. Local governments can always choose more protective standards than the dial requires. As the disease continues to spread without a major breakthrough in treatments or a vaccine, this tool provides a nuanced way to manage the pandemic in Colorado.”

Based on scientific metrics, as well as local control, the dial has five levels with associated guidances:

1. Protect Our Neighbors
2. Safer at Home 1- Cautious
3. Safer at Home 2- Concern
4. Safer at Home 3- High Risk
5. Stay at Home

Counties move between levels based on these metrics:

1. Number of new cases. The case count provides information on how prevalent the virus is circulating in communities.
2. Percent positivity of COVID tests. The percent positivity is a clear indication if enough testing is being done.
3. Impact on hospitalizations. Hospitalization data provides information about health care capacity.

To move to a less restrictive level (e.g., Level 2 to Level 1), counties need to meet and sustain all three metrics for two weeks. Counties must engage in a consultation process with CDPHE, which may entail moving to a more restrictive level, when they are out of compliance with any of the metrics for more than two weeks.

The dial replaces most variances. CDPHE will continue to consider applications for site-specific variances for unique facilities, stadiums, or other extra-large venues or events. Variance requests must conform to CDPHE requirements and be submitted by the local public health agency.

Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.