Coronavirus in Colorado: COVID-19 updates for Nov. 23-Nov. 29, 2020

More than 200,000 people have been infected with coronavirus in Colorado since the onset of the pandemic, according to the latest data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

READ MORE: List of Colorado businesses that are open

Click here for the latest update on the number of cases, the age, gender and location of presumptive positive, indeterminate and confirmed cases from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Below, we're updating this blog with the latest information regarding COVID-19 in Colorado.

Latest updates:

Sunday, Nov. 29

4:01 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers

Here are the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. Sunday, with the change from Saturday in parentheses.

228,772 cases (+3,489)
13,428 hospitalized (+59)
64 counties (+0)
1,737,952 tested (+12,500)
3,175,126 test encounters (+31,899)
3,003 deaths among cases (+20)
2,521 deaths due to COVID-19 (+0)
2,136 outbreaks (+1)

The latest hospital data showed 1,847 beds in use by COVID-19 patients or suspected COVID-19 patients. Saturday's three-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 11.45%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.

Saturday, Nov. 28

4:07 p.m. | Latest COVID-19 numbers

Here are the latest coronavirus numbers for Colorado, as of 4 p.m. Saturday, with the change from Friday in parentheses.

225,283 cases (+4,330)
13,369 hospitalized (+82)
64 counties (+0)
1,725,452 tested (+18,078)
3,143,227 test encounters (+51,389)
2,983 deaths among cases (+6)
2,521 deaths due to COVID-19 (+0)
2,135 outbreaks (+4)

The latest hospital data showed 1,852 beds in use by COVID-19 patients or suspected COVID-19 patients. Friday's three-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 10.80%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.

11:54 a.m. | Gov. Polis signs executive orders in response to COVID-19 pandemic

Gov. Jared Polis signed four executive orders Saturday that deal with the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The four executive orders include authorizing the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to make a one-time direct cash stimulus payment of $375 to Coloradans who have faced particular hardship due to COVID-19.

Anyone who has received at least one dollar of unemployment insurance compensation from March 15 to Oct. 24 is eligible to receive the payment.

The CDLE estimates those who receive the stimulus payment will include around 435,000 Coloradans making less than $52,000 per year and reach about 65% of all the people who filed for unemployment benefits.

Polis also signed an executive order extending the state’s disaster declaration, an extension of an earlier order concerning changes to 2020 election activity and an order regarding directives for the COVID-19 Dial Framework so that it reflects amendments made to public health order, including the addition of Level Purple.

Friday, Nov. 27

4 p.m. | Colorado reports another 4,000+ cases in a single day as hospitalizations for COVID-19 continue to increase

Colorado reported over 4,000 new cases of the novel coronavirus again in a single day, and saw 17 more patients hospitalized for confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 1,682. Here are the latest numbers from the CDPHE:

220,953 cases (+4,270)
13,287 hospitalized (+39)
64 counties (+0)
1,707,374 tested (+17,717)
3,091,838 test encounters (+45,689)
2,977 deaths among cases (+20)
2,521 deaths due to COVID-19 (+0)
2,131 outbreaks (+14)

The latest hospital data shows 1,797 hospital beds in use by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients – 20 more than Thursday with 175 patients discharged or transferred from hospitals over the past 24 hours and 92% of state hospitals reporting. Thursday's seven-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 11.09%. The three-day average positivity rate was 10.92%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.

Click here to explore the latest COVID-19 case data for Colorado.

3:36 p.m. | CSU men's basketball game vs. SDSU postponed due to COVID-19

The Mountain West Conference said Friday it has postponed the men's basketball games between CSU vs. SDSU scheduled for Dec. 3 and 5 "due to positive COVID-19 cases within the CSU MBB program."

Rescheduled dates will be announced once finalized by the Conference and the schools.

3:18 p.m. | Colorado releases draft guidelines for restaurants to possibly avoid some COVID-19 restrictions

Colorado health officials Friday released draft guidelines that could give businesses, including restaurants, the opportunity to avoid certain COVID-19 restrictions if they are certified through their local health agency.

The so-called "5 Star" program is currently underway as a pilot program in Mesa County, which is among the more than dozen Colorado counties on Level Red of the state COVID-19 dial. Level Red prohibits indoor dining and implements other COVID-19 restrictions, but restaurants in the 5 Star program would be eligible to avoid some restrictions if specific protocols are followed and they are certified.

The state has not said which restrictions would be lifted for certified businesses in Level Red counties. Businesses in Level Orange counties would be eligible to operate under Level Yellow capacity guidelines, and Level Yellow businesses would be eligible to operate under Level Blue restrictions.

Read the full draft guidelines from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment here.

The qualifications include:

• A written plan about the restaurant will implement or exceed state prevention guidelines and local guidelines and how they will enforce compliance.
• All employees undergoing symptom checks.
• Regular outreach to customers and employees about exposure notifications.
• Recording the name and contact number of customers to be used for contact tracing.
• Complying with site-specific guidelines, such as spacing of 10 feet for tables at restaurants and reservations; reservations at gyms and personal service businesses; and any other industry-specific requirements that will be developed.

Any business that has already been cited for a public health order violation will be ineligible to be certified.

Under the draft guidelines released Friday, the 5 Star program would be suspended if a county reaches more than 90% of its hospital capacity or if it reaches Level Red metrics for more than two weeks.

Mesa County's pilot program will be reviewed by Dec. 4 and parameters of a statewide program will be finalized by Dec. 14, with the program able to launch by Dec. 18.

The CDPHE on Friday said that due to high levels of COVID-19 in Colorado, the agency would be reviewing the Mesa County program "to determine if such a program is compatible with the Red level and make a final determination" on whether the 5 Star program should move forward.

Click here to read the full story.

3:15 p.m. | Greeley pub says they’re ‘stuck in the middle’ between state rules and county enforcement

A pub in Weld County lost its liquor license this week for violating the state’s rules on indoor dining, despite the owner claiming he was told he was in the clear to "operate safely" by county officials.

“We’ve been in contact almost daily with our county, our county commissioners, our health department,” Bulldog Grub & Pub owner Brandon Bird said. “The county has said I’m good, operate safely.”

So that’s what he did. Wearing masks, with PPE, distancing and sanitizing, Bird says he welcomed limited diners up until the night before Thanksgiving.

“Agents from the criminal liquor enforcement division came in and a gave us an emergency order suspending our liquor license,” he explained.

The reasoning he was given: That he had violated a public health order from the governor. That’s despite the fact he says he’d been told by county officials that he was clear to keep his doors open as long as he did so safely.

“You’re told one thing by one agency and one thing by another, and you’re stuck in the middle,” Bird said.

The state moved Weld County to the red status on its COVID dial last week, along with several other counties. Under the red restrictions, indoor dining is not allowed. When Weld was moved to red, county officials including county commissioners and the county sheriff came out with statements saying they would not be enforcing those rules, instead encouraging personal responsibility from individuals and businesses.

“It feels like mom add dad are fighting. Mom tells you one thing, dad tells you another. What are you supposed to do?” Bird wondered.

Click here to read the full story.

Thursday, Nov. 26

6:45 p.m. | CU at USC game scheduled for Saturday canceled

The game between University of Southern California and CU Boulder scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Denver7 has been canceled due to several players from USC testing positive for the novel coronavirus.

"After consultation with USC, the Pac-12 Conference announced the game involving Colorado at USC scheduled for Saturday, November 28 will not be played. This decision was made under the Pac-12's football policy due to USC not having the minimum number of scholarship players available for the game at a specific position group as a result of a number of positive football student-athlete COVID-19 cases and resulting isolation of additional football student-athlete COVID-19 cases and resulting isolation of additional football student-athletes under contact tracing protocols. Under Conference policy, the game will be declared a no contest.

"Not contesting the game is very disappointing to our student-athletes and our fans. While all of us want to see our football student-athletes on the field competing, our number one priority must continue t be the health and safety of all those connected to Pac-12 football programs."

As a contingency, the San Diego Aztecs will play CU at Folsom Field on Saturday at 3 p.m. The game will not air on Denver7.

4 p.m. | Colorado reports over 6,000 cases on Thanksgiving, but hospitalizations see decrease

Colorado reported over 6,000 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Thanksgiving, a figure not seen since last Saturday (Nov. 21). Hospitalizations decreased from yesterday, but 1,665 people remain hospitalized this evening. Here is the latest data from the CDPHE:

216,683 cases (+6,053)
13,248 hospitalized (+204)
64 counties (+0)
1,689,657 tested (+27,654)
3,046,149 test encounters (+65,750)
2,957 deaths among cases (+51)
2,521 deaths due to COVID-19 (+0)
2,117 outbreaks (+31)

The latest hospital data shows 1,777 hospital beds in use by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients – 17 fewer than Wednesday with 154 patients discharged or transferred from hospitals over the past 24 hours and 95% of state hospitals reporting. Wednesday's seven-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 11.13%. The three-day average positivity rate was 10.62%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.

Click here to explore the latest COVID-19 case data for Colorado.

5:30 a.m. | Colorado completes vaccine readiness test

Colorado has successfully completed a simulation to help prepare the state for when a COVID-19 vaccine is available.

Staff at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Department of Public Safety confirmed they had received a test thermal shipment and ancillary kit this week. Colorado is one of 10 jurisdictions chosen for this test.

During the test, Colorado public health officials were expected to:

• Identify a provider location that will receive the test vaccine shipment
• Ensure orders have been submitted to CDC’s Vaccine Tracking System (VTrckS) using a simulated national drug code
• Receive a thermal shipper without vaccine and “mock” ancillary kit
• Report receipt of shipper and kits

Wednesday, Nov. 25

10:39 p.m. | Gov. Polis to quarantine after exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

Goov. Jared Polis said late Wednesday night he will self-quarantine after he was exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement, Polis says he got a COVID-19 test which came back negative this evening, but said he will begin quarantine to follow CDC and CDPHE guidance.

8:39 p.m. | Fans banned from attending CHSAA championship football games in Pueblo County due to widespread transmission of COVID-19

Parents and other spectators of CHSAA-sponsored championship football games will be banned from attending the games in Pueblo County starting the weekend of Dec. 4-5 as the county "continues to have widespread transmission of COVID-19," according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

Experts at the Colorado School of Public Health estimate that 1 in 29 people in Pueblo and surrounding areas are contagious with the virus, and so attendance will only be limited solely to football teams, athletic staff, cheerleaders, band members, broadcast staff, and other essential personnel.

“We appreciate the ongoing partnership with the Colorado High School Activities Association as we navigate these tough times,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director, CDPHE. “Early in the season, our organizations both agreed that additional safety measures like these might need to be taken, and now unfortunately we are there. These decisions aren’t made lightly, but they’re necessary.”

CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green said they supported the new restrictions.

“Our administrators always advocate for the full high school experience and although disappointing, we support these tough decisions,” said Rhonda Blanford-Green, Colorado High Schools Activity Association Commissioner. "Season A football for 218 schools that competed this fall and approval of the culminating championships in these unprecedented and tumultuous times, would not have been possible without the support of CDPHE, state and county officials."

CDPHE said it will continue to monitor the situation over the week. If conditions worsen, CDPHE may need to revisit the modified variance.

6:52 p.m. | Tri-County Health reverses shut down order for 5 Douglas County restaurants

Tri-County Health officials say they have rescinded a closure order which called for five Douglas County restaurants to shut down for violating Red Level mandates which prohibit indoor dining.

The restaurants that can re-open are:

• The Gym Co. - 18951 East Mainstreet in Parker.

• The Library Co. Bar & Kitchen - 3911 Ambrosia Street in Castle Rock.
• The Office Co. - 230 3rd. Street in Castle Rock.
• Tailgate Tavern and Grill - 19552 E. Mainstreet in Parker.
• The Whiskey Lodge - 3911 Ambroosia Street in Castle Rock.

Brian Hlavacek, the director of environmental health at TCHD, said in a statement the department had reached an agreement with all five restaurants that were ordered to shut down Monday. No details about the agreement were immediately released.

"Our goal is to achieve compliance in order to prevent the spread of COVID, and we worked closely with the owners of each restaurant with a shared goal of helping them to reopen safely," he said.

The TCHD said it had also established a grant program to help restaurants during this time, provided they remain in good standing.

5:51 p.m. | All state-partnered COVID-19 testing sites will be closed on Thanksgiving

All state-partnered COVID-19 testing sites will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Colorado Joint Information Center said in a news release Wednesday. State health officials advises Coloradans to check ahead before going to get tested.

For more information, click here.

4 p.m. | Colorado reports 55 new deaths due to COVID-19 in a single day as cases remain above 4,000

Colorado reported more than 50 new deaths in a single day due to the novel coronavirus, and hospitalizations for confirmed cases of COVID-19 jumped to 1,652 - a little more than 3 times the number of hospitalizations reported just last month. Here's the latest data from the CDPHE:

210,630 cases (+4,191)
13,044 hospitalized (+208)
64 counties (+0)
1,662,003 tested (+16,894)
2,980,399 test encounters (+41,136)
2,906 deaths among cases (+46)
2,521 deaths due to COVID-19 (+55)
2,086 outbreaks (+96)

The latest hospital data shows 1,794 hospital beds in use by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients – 55 more than Tuesday with 198 patients discharged or transferred from hospitals over the past 24 hours and 95% of state hospitals reporting. Tuesday's seven-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 11.45%. The three-day average positivity rate was 10.74%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.

Click here to explore the latest COVID-19 case data for Colorado.

3:12 p.m. | New Colorado back-to-school work group has first meeting, commits to collaboration

A new back-to-school working group that was announced by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis Tuesday held its first meeting Wednesday as it works to develop plans to get as many students as possible back to in-person learning in January.

The group is comprised of teachers, superintendents, school board officials, public health officials and parents who are tasked with finding pieces of models that have worked for schools and districts in helping keep more students learning at school – which education leaders widely agree is the best environment for Colorado students to learn.

The working group will meet with Gov. Polis and Education Commissioner Katy Anthes, along with public health officials, as they develop plans in the coming weeks.

Several members of the group spoke alongside Polis in a virtual news conference Wednesday afternoon about the group’s first meeting, in which members discussed their task at hand and started identifying some protocols that could work, they said.

The work will build off even more tools released by the Colorado Department of Public Health that districts and schools can use to determine quarantine needs for students and staff, which is now standardized no matter what response phase a county is in.

Dr. Heath Harmon, a member of the group and the Eagle County Public Health Director, said that members agreed at Wednesday’s meeting that in-person learning at schools were vital to local communities, to students’ education and social behaviors and said they had found common visions already after one meeting.

Rebecca Holmes of the Colorado Education Initiative said they will take dozens of examples from schools and districts across the state that have been successful since the spring in working to formulate plans to re-open schools next semester that moved to remote learning this semester.

Holmes said the group’s top focus would be on getting younger students back into classrooms, saying that younger students – particularly those in kindergarten through 2nd grade – struggle the most trying to learn developmental, math, and reading skills remotely.

“It’s really a question of how people can be empowered to make the right decision to minimize the risk. And for many families, a safe public school environment in the classroom is one of the safest places their kids can be,” Polis said during the news conference.

Harmon said public health and education officials had watched over the past months the differences in schools that adhere to the layers of protocols outlined by the state and districts and those that have not, which has led to more quarantines and remote learning.

Amie Baca-Oehlert, the president of the Colorado Education Association, said another of the tasks the group will have to find answers for is addressing the state’s substitute teacher shortage and dealing with teacher and staff quarantines without running out of adults to teach students.

And Harmon said that families should be thinking now about their own quarantine methods once in-person learning returns so kids or teachers are not going to school while contagious with the virus – whether they are symptomatic or not – which she said was something that had led to the returns to in-person learning at times this fall.

The governor, educators and public health officials all agreed that having a strong collaborative effort between districts, local governments, teachers, public health officials and families of students would be “critical” to developing trust in the plans the group will create and to keeping students learning at school in 2021.

“In places where there is true collaboration between the district, educators, parents and public health departments, that is where we see things going well,” Baca-Oehlert said. “We need to encourage and incentivize communication and collaboration going forward.”

Click here to read the full story.

2:50 p.m. | Polis orders tax relief for Colorado restaurants and bars ahead of special session

Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday signed an executive order giving tax relief to restaurants, bars and other small businesses.

The order extends the state sales tax payment deadline for 30 days for the month of November for restaurants, bars and food trucks for up to $2,000, according to a news release from the governor's office.

The extension of the November collection deadline comes ahead of a special legislative session, in which Polis called on lawmakers to enact legislation that will allow bars and restaurants to retain up to $2,000 per month in sales tax from November through February.

Read the full order here.

“Colorado’s restaurants, bars, and food trucks are among the small businesses that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic. We all want to keep these businesses open as a vital part of our lives and culture, which is why I’m proud to be working with a group of bipartisan legislators to provide much needed tax relief," Polis said in the release.

Indoor dining is currently restricted in Denver and more than a dozen other large counties, which are under "Level Red" on the state's COVID-19 dial. Restaurants in those counties can still offer limited outdoor dining, though doing so in the winter months will likely be more of a challenge than earlier in the year.

Polis called the special session, expected to begin in the coming weeks, for lawmakers to focus on the tax relief measures, housing and rental assistance, support for child care providers and expanded broadband access for students having to take remote classes.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle emphasized the need to help restaurants and small businesses.

Click here to read the full story.

11:30 a.m. | Hancock travels to Mississippi for Thanksgiving after pleading with Denverites to stay home if possible

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock flew to Mississippi Wednesday to have Thanksgiving with his wife and daughter at his daughter’s home after pleading with Denverites not to travel for the holiday if possible.

On Wednesday morning, Mike Strott, deputy communications director with the Office of the Mayor, confirmed that Hancock had left the state to celebrate the holiday.

In a statement, Strott said: "As he has shared, the Mayor is not hosting his traditional large family dinner this year, but instead traveling alone to join his wife and daughter where the three of them will celebrate Thanksgiving at her residence instead of having them travel back to Denver. Upon return, he will follow all necessary health and safety guidance and quarantine."

This comes are a time when more Coloradans than ever before are contagious with COVID-19. About one in 41 Coloradans are contagious with coronavirus, up from one in 49 last week and a large increase from an estimated one in 110 in recent weeks, health officials said in a Tuesday press conference.

During a Mornings with the Mayor segment on Denver7 Wednesday morning, Hancock said if you can, stay in your household and with those you live with for the holiday. If you choose to travel, he said to "do what we’ve always been asking throughout the entire experience: Wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands."

On Wednesday at 8:43 a.m., Hancock's Twitter account published a tweet emphasizing the importance of staying at home as much as possible and avoiding travel

On Monday, the Denver Department of Public Safety issued a message from Executive Director Murphy Robinson, which read, "Rising COVID cases require all of us to take additional precautions and for many, that means sharing a Thanksgiving meal with loved ones virtually instead of in person. These are tough times and we are all weary of all the limitations this pandemic is placing on our lives. Unfortunately, we now find ourselves in the midst of the largest surge in cases we’ve seen so far and trends indicate it will get worse before it gets better."

Hancock started urging Denverites to rethink their Thanksgiving plans in early November.

“We’re not going to sit here and tell you that Thanksgiving is canceled in Denver. It is not,” Hancock said during a Nov. 6 press conference. “But I’m going to urge everyone to think differently about Thanksgiving this year.”

In a Nov. 20 press conference, Hancock said his family had chosen to do Thanksgiving different this year.

"So please, I urge everyone: Maybe get a small turkey this year and celebrate with just the host you live with," he said. "And after, the meal, as we're gonna do, Zoom with your extended family — all your friends, everyone that you meet, and tell them that you look forward to seeing them real soon, and that maybe next year, maybe next year, we can all be together again."

He said he was "asking, I'm urging, I'm pleading" with everybody to stay home.

"Stay home, maybe put out holiday decorations, but stay home," he said.

Click here to read the full story.

8:30 a.m. | Polis announces back-to-school working group

On Wednesday morning, Gov. Polis announced a new back-to-school group that will assist the governor and state as they plan for the safe return of students to the classroom in January 2021.

The task force consists of stakeholders — teachers, other school staff, superintendents, elected school boards, charter school leaders, health officials, and parents. They will share their perspectives and feedback to Polis, Commissioner Katy Anthes, and key public health leaders. They will hold their first meeting on Thursday.

“Every child should have the opportunity to reach their full potential and we cannot let our students’ education become a casualty of this pandemic,” Polis said. “This challenging time has strained our educators, parents, school staff and students. That’s why I’ve formed this working group to help us successfully reopen our schools for in-person learning during the pandemic— I believe that together, we can build upon and develop innovative strategies that assist us in safely reopening schools for all our students.”

Polis will hold a press conference Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. to discuss the Back-to-School Working Group.

Members of the task force include:

• Diedre Pilch, Greeley-Evans D-6 Superintendent
• Leslie Nichols, Gunnison Watershed School District Superintendent
• Amie Baca-Oehlert, Teacher and CEA President
• Rebecca Holmes, Colorado Education Initiativ
• Lisa Larson, Boulder Valley paraprofessional
• Dee Leyba, La Junta school board member
• Rebecca McClellan, State Board of Education
• Catie Santos de la Rosa, Aurora educator
• Crystal Jennings, Colorado Springs parent
• Dan Gherke, CEO of Lutheran High School in Parker
• Mike Miles, Third Future Schools
• Rachel Kaygi, parent and board member of Healthier Colorado
• Kelly Grenham, Mapleton School District nurse
• Heath Harmon, Eagle County Public Health
• Tom Gonzales, Larimer County Public Health

6:45 a.m. | Free parking on Saturdays in Fort Collins

The City of Fort Collins will offer free parking in city parking structures on Saturdays and holidays to help support downtown businesses struggling amid COVID-19.

Free Saturday parking begins on Nov. 28 and continues through Jan. 2, 2021. Free parking will also be offered this year on Black Friday, Nov. 27 and Christmas Eve.

Parking in structures is always free on Sundays.

Tuesday, Nov. 24

8:57 p.m. | Town of Castle Rock passes resolution opposing CDPHE moving Douglas County to Level Red on state's COVID-19 dial

The Town of Castle Rock has passed a resolution which opposes the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) from moving Douglas County to Red Level on the state's COVID-19 dial. Level Red effectively prohibits personal gatherings, shuts downs in-person dining and moves the last call order for alcoholic beverages to 8 p.m., and reduces capacity at gyms, stores and office buildings.

The resolution authorizes the mayor of Castle Rock to pen a letter to Gov. Jared Polis and the CDPHE asking them to reconsider their decision.

"The Town of Castle Rock does not agree with and will not enforce the Red Level enforcement with CDPHE Red Level status," reads wording from the resolution. "We believe the costs or negative impacts on resident mental health exceeds the current risk of COVID19."

The resolution passed 4-1.

8:39 p.m. | 5 restaurants in Douglas County ordered to shut down for violating indoor dining mandate

Five restaurants in Douglas County were ordered to close until further notice Tuesday for violating the Tri-County Public Health Department's order prohibiting indoor dining. The five restaurants that will be forced to close, "until such a time as the TCHD determines" they are in compliance with the public health order now in effect, are:

• The Gym Co. - 18951 East Mainstreet in Parker.
• The Library Co. Bar & Kitchen - 3911 Ambrosia Street in Castle Rock.
• The Office Co. - 230 3rd. Street in Castle Rock.
• Tailgate Tavern and Grill - 19552 E. Mainstreet in Parker.
• The Whiskey Lodge - 3911 Ambroosia Street in Castle Rock.

Douglas County was moved to Level Red on the state's COVID-19 dial on Nov. 20 in order to stop the rapid spread of coronavirus infections and hospitalizations. Under Level Red, no gatherings of more than two non-household members are allowed, indoor events are prohibited, capacity at gyms and other venues is greatly reduced, bars are closed, and indoor dining is prohibited, though restaurants can still operate with takeout or delivery options.

4:30 p.m. | More Coloradans than ever are contagious with COVID-19, data says

Heading into the Thanksgiving holiday, more Coloradans are contagious with COVID-19 than ever before, and the state is still on track to exceed intensive care capacity by mid-January, according to the latest data released by health officials Tuesday.

An estimated one in 41 Coloradans are contagious with coronavirus, up from one in 49 last week and a large increase from an estimated one in 110 in recent weeks.

The data released by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment came in a news conference Tuesday, in which Gov. Jared Polis and state epidemiologist Rachel Herlihy urged Coloradans to limit their gatherings for Thanksgiving.

The governor said he and his family will be having Christmas alone, with their own household, and he encouraged other Coloradans to do the same to "make sure you have your family there for many Thanksgivings to come."

Herlihy said Colorado must increase transmission control of the virus by increasing social distancing and working to flatten the curve of hospitalizations to preserve ICU capacity.

Read more from Tuesday's update here.

4 p.m. | Hospitalizations for confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to increase across Colorado

Hospitalizations for confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus continue to increase across Colorado with 1,613 reported Tuesday - 16 more than Monday. The state is nearing 2,500 deaths due to the new respiratory disease, according to the latest state data.

206,439 cases (+4,150)
12,836 hospitalized (+310)
64 counties (+0)
1,645,109 tested (+14,238)
2,939,263 test encounters (+37,523)
2,860 deaths among cases (+50)
2,466 deaths due to COVID-19 (+10)
1,990 outbreaks (+65)

The latest hospital data shows 1,739 hospital beds in use by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients – 28 more than Monday with 229 patients discharged or transferred from hospitals over the past 24 hours and 96% of state hospitals reporting. Monday's seven-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 11.65%. The three-day average positivity rate was 10.74%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.

Click here to explore the latest COVID-19 case data for Colorado.

2:05 p.m. | Polis slams federal response, lack of congressional action

Gov. Jared Polis implored the federal government to act again and pass a direct financial and stimulus package for Americans as he and the state epidemiologist warned at a news conference that Colorado could see its deaths more than double from their current number by the end of this year if people do not act responsibly.

“There’s a lot of national systemwide failures with regard to our coronavirus response. I don’t think it’s an accident that America has among the highest case rate and fatality rate per capita of nearly every nation,” Polis said in response to a question about the lack of a federal response.

He said there will be greater economic interruptions in the U.S. “because of the failure to deal with this on the front end and the failure to deal with it nationally.”

He said supply shipments have been sporadic across the country and that President Trump’s “soapbox,” as Polis put it, had been “at best sporadic” in terms of giving proper health advice and following the guidance of the CDC.

“The president of the United States has, as far as I know, yet to encourage the safe celebration of one of our most important holidays in a way that will save lives,” the governor said.

Polis said he’d give the federal government “an A, A-“ in terms of the initial stimulus response this spring and mentioned the Paycheck Protection Program and $1,200 stimulus as among the successes.

“It worked fairly well, but then, it’s like Congress and the president forgot about it,” Polis said.

The House and Senate have reached a months-long impasse in terms of a direct financial response, though the House passed the Heroes Act months ago, which Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has declined to bring for a vote.

The House, Senate and White House leadership have all disagreed on their priorities for a package as more unemployment insurance benefits expire and people across the country face hunger and evictions. Polis said the responsibility lie with all three facets of the government.

“There’s blame on both sides. It’s not like Congress has passed something and that the president is vetoing or hasn’t signed,” Polis said. “It takes all three: The House, the Senate, the president.”

“They need to work together now to provide economic relief: Direct payments, unemployment insurance, aid to affected businesses, that will help states have the ability to get the virus under control without asking families to lose every ounce of security that they have,” Polis added.

Monday, Nov. 23

6 p.m. | COVID-19 testing sites across the Front Range to delay opening due to wintry conditions

Several COVID-19 community testing sites from across the Front Range will delay opening their locations due to wintry conditions expected to arrive by Tuesday morning throughout the metro area and the mountains, Colorado's Joint Information Center said in a news release.

The following sites are postponing opening until 10 a.m.:

• All City Stadium - 1495 S. Race Street, Denver.
• Aurora Public Schools Professional Learning Center - 15771 E. 1st Ave., Aurora, Colo.
• Cherry Creek High School - 4700 S. Yosemite Street, Greenwood Village, Colo.
• Colorado School of Mines - 1922 Jones Road Golden, Colo.
• Echo Park - 11901 Newlin Gulch Blvd. Parker, Colo.
• Instructional Sport Facility - 5416 S. Riviera Way Aurora, Colo.
• Mountain Range High School - 12500 Huron Street Westminster, Colo.
• North High School - 3125 Eliot Street Denver, Colo.
• St. Vrain Valley Schools Innovation Center - 33 Quail Road Longmont, Colo.

The following two sites will be closed Tuesday due to inclement weather:

• Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church - 9444 Eagle Cliff Rd, Conifer, Colol
• Jefferson County Fairgrounds - 15200 W 6th Ave Frontage Rd, Golden, Colo.

Other state-managed and partnered sites are still planning to operate as scheduled, officials said.

4:44 p.m. | Denver Mayor Hancock discusses how to beat COVID-19 with President-elect Joe Biden, VP-elect Kamala Harris

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock participated in a virtual call today with President-elect Joe Biden and VP-elect Kamala Harris where they discussed how city and federal leaders can work together as one country to beat the novel coronavirus.

“I’m greatly appreciative of the president-elect and vice president-elect taking the time to engage with mayors on what we’ve experienced during this pandemic, and how a coordinated national response will make the impact we need it to make on controlling the spread of this virus," said Hancock in a prepared statement. "Having an Administration that will be a partner to cities, instead of an adversary, will benefit every American.”

Hancock, along with other mayors in the call and president-elect and vice president-elect, also discussed how the federal government and cities can work together to address income inequality, climate change, and systemic racism, and to improve the infrastructure of American cities.

4 p.m. | Colorado reports over 100 coronavirus deaths in a single day, according to latest state data

Colorado reported over 100 new deaths in a single day due to COVID-19, according to the latest state data, which also showed the state surpassing 200,000 cases as of Monday and hospitalizations increasing once again after a decline over the weekend.

202,289 cases (+3,689)
12,526 hospitalized (+42)
64 counties (+0)
1,630,871 tested (+19,307)
2,901,740 test encounters (+46,130)
2,810 deaths among cases (+4)
2,456 deaths due to COVID-19 (+101)
1,925 outbreaks (+17)

The latest hospital data shows 1,711 hospital beds in use by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients – 41 more than Sunday with 187 patients discharged or transferred from hospitals over the past 24 hours and 93% of state hospitals reporting. Sunday's seven-day average positivity rate in Colorado was 11.83%. The three-day average positivity rate was 11.39%. The state's goal is to remain below 5%.

Click here to explore the latest COVID-19 case data for Colorado.

3:55 p.m. | Colorado to participate in COVID-19 vaccine distribution readiness test

Colorado has been chosen to participate in a pilot run for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

"Colorado is prepared to receive and distribute COVID-19 vaccine(s) as soon as one becomes available," officials said in a news release. "Participating in the end-to-end test is an opportunity to increase operational readiness as well as evaluate the state’s ability to coordinate, communicate, and share information from a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional, multi-disciplinary standpoint."

During the test, Colorado public health officials are expected to:

• Identify a provider location that will receive the test vaccine shipment.
• Ensure orders have been submitted to CDC’s Vaccine Tracking System (VTrckS) using a fake national drug code.
• Receive a thermal shipper without vaccine and ‘mock’ ancillary kits.
• Report receipt of shipper and kits.

Pfizer will be providing a thermal shipping container to each jurisdiction that participates in the end-to-end test, officials said, adding a second test will be held on Nov. 30 with 52 additional jurisdictions, federal partners, and select pharmacy partners. Colorado will not participate in this second test.

"While the State is participating in this test, we continue to encourage people to avoid in person gatherings, wear a mask when outside of your home and stay six feet away from others," officials said.

3:48 p.m. | Town of Castle Rock to hold meeting Tuesday to consider a resolution opposing the CDPHE moving Douglas County to Level Red

The Town of Castle Rock is holding a special town council meeting Tuesday to consider a resolution and a letter to Gov. Jared Polis opposing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment moving Douglas County to Level Red on the state’s COVID-19 dial, which closes indoor dining and greatly reduces capacity in other areas.

Those interested in providing comments to the town council must submit written comments, or sign up to speak by phone or web by 1 p.m. Tuesday.

3:44 p.m. | Denver-run COVID-19 testing sites will delay opening due to wintry weather

Denver-run COVID-19 testing sites will open at noon Tuesday due to inclement weather that's expected to impact much of the Front Range earlier in the day.

The city-run sites that will be affected are:

• Ruby Hill
• Green Valley Ranch Pool
• Denver Department of Human Services East

Visit this website for more info/alternate testing locations.

10:20 a.m. | Denver Health opens mobile health center

Denver Health has created a mobile health center to help deliver COVID-19 testing and care to at-risk neighborhoods and areas hit hardest by the virus.

“Our hope is that these efforts will immediately help reduce the rates of COVID-19 cases through increased access to testing, education and supportive resources. The Mobile Health Center is yet another example of Denver Health fulfilling its role as an Anchor Institution by committing our resources to improve the well-being of the communities we serve,” said Dr. Robin Wittenstein, CEO of Denver Health.

The health center will begin as appointment-only, though officials hope to have walkup access soon. To learn more about the health center and make an appointment, go here.

8:47 a.m. | Funding to support businesses in Lyons and Nederland

The Boulder County Board of County Commissioners recently approved to reallocate funds to help support local, small businesses in Lyons and Nederland that have been impacted by the pandemic.

According to the county commissioners' office, the Town of Lyons has access to $200,000 for about 110 business and the Town of Nederland has access to $150,000 to distribute to help about 160 businesses.

Application for the funding will be provided by each town. To apply, business owners can contact the town’s designated administrators:

• Lyons: Main Street Manager Brianna Hoyt (bhoyt@townoflyons.com) or Community Relations Director Kim Mitchell (kmitchell@townoflyons.com)
• Nederland: Deputy Town Administrator/Town Clerk Miranda Fisher (townclerk@nederlandco.org or 303-258-3266, ext.1030)

7 a.m. | Denver adds fourth COVID-19 testing site

Denver’s Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) launched a fourth COVID-19 testing site Monday morning.

The new Ruby Hill location, at 1200 W. Florida Ave., was created to help relieve traffic congestion and long wait times at the other sites, including Paco Sanchez Park at 1290 Knox Court.

The other two locations include:

• Green Valley Ranch Pool, 4455 Jebel St.
• Denver Human Services East, 3815 Steele St.

These four sites were designed to bring testing to areas with high positivity rates and to help those who are uninsured or underinsured.

Testing at Ruby Hill is available seven days a week, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to noon on weekends.

For the Ruby Hill location to open, resources from Paco Sanchez are being diverted. The latter will temporarily close Nov. 23-29.

All sites are closed on Thanksgiving and the following Friday.

Click here for the COVID-19 live blog from Nov. 16-Nov. 22, 2020.