NOTE: This is the live blog from Monday April 6. Click here for the live blog from Tuesday, April 7.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis will hold a statewide address today at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Denver7 plans to carry this announcement on air and on our streaming channels, as well as on social media.
The exact topic of this address is unknown.
As of Sunday at 4 p.m., the death toll in Colorado due to the novel coronavirus had hit 140, with 4,950 people who tested positive.
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:
Monday, April 6
7:56 p.m. | Gov. Polis extends order on limiting evictions, foreclosures
Governor Jared Polis on Monday night extending an executive order which limits evictions, foreclosures, and public utility disconnections, as well as expedites unemployment insurance claims processing. Read the order here. Polis is also extending additional tax filings and payment deadlines for one month, including state and-administered local sales tax.
7:08 p.m. | United Launch Alliance says employee has tested positive for novel coronavirus
The Centennial-based company that manufactures and operates a number of rocket vehicles capable of orbiting spacecraft says one of its employees in Denver has tested positive for COVID-19. To slow the spread of the new virus, the company says it has closed the flood of the building that was exposed to the virus and is following "stringent" cleaning and disinfection protocols.
6:38 p.m. | Hilton and American Express giving 1 million hotel rooms to frontline healthcare workers
Hilton and American Express officials says the comapnies will donate up to 1 million hotel rooms across the U.S. to frontline healthcare workers fighting against the novel coronavirus. The rooms will be made available starting next week without charge to doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics, and other frontline healthcare workers from ten medical associations who need a place to sleep, recharge or isolate from their families through the end of May.
6:33 p.m. | Governor extends stay-at-home order
Colorado Governor Jared Polis extended the state's stay-at-home order for another two weeks, until April 26. Polis said the April 26 date could be extended or reduced if conditions warrant. The governor made the announcement during a statewide address Monday evening and came hours after the City of Denver formally continued its stay-at-home order through April 30.
During the address, Polis also stressed the need for people to stay at home to contain the coronavirus.
"The reason for the April 26 date is very simple: because the data and the science tells us that staying at home, it is our best chance, our only chance, to avoid a catastrophic loss of life -- the deaths of thousands of our friends, our neighbors, our family members," Polis said.
6:10 p.m. | Douglas County Community Foundation sets ups recovery fund
The Douglas County Community Foundation has set up a COVID-19 Recovery Fund to provide funding to local nonprofit organizations who are experiencing budgetary impacts due to the coronavirus crisis. Priorities include, but are not limited to, food banks, food delivery, health care, housing, mental health, workforce development centers and COVID-19 prevention communications.
5:55 p.m. | Weld County Lobby closed through May 1
Lobbies to Weld County Government buildings will remain closed through May 1 due to the coronavirus outbreak in the state.
5:30 p.m. | Denver7 hosts Q&A with state health officials after Polis' address to the state
Following Gov. Jared Polis' address to the state regarding the novel coronavirus in Colorado, scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m., Denver7's Anne Trujillo will host a Q&A with state health officials. You can submit your questions by calling (303) 832-0676 or by emailing contact7@thedenverchannel.com.
5:10 p.m. | Colorado health officials 'certain' state hasn't reached COVID-19 peak, say distancing is working
Colorado public health officials said Monday they are “certain” that the state has not reached its peak in the COVID-19 outbreak and presented more data that showed that physical distancing measures are working in Colorado and could keep the state from running out of ICU beds once the peak of the virus arrives. Click here to read more.
4:40 p.m. | Boulder City Council urges against acts of discrimination due to COVID-19
Mayor Sam Weaver will deliver a statement on Tuesday, April 7 "on the importance now more than ever of maintaining a welcoming and inclusive environment for all races and ethnicities during the COVID crisis." Council is reminding the community that incidents of discrimination motivated by another person’s race, color, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity may be considered a Human Rights Violation by the city’s Human Rights Ordinance.
4:19 p.m. | Jefferson County modifying process to issue concealed carry permits
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is modifying its processes for issuing concealed carry permits, which have been temporarily suspended since March 16 due to novel coronavirus.
For Jefferson County residents without a current concealed handgun permit, the Sheriff's Office will issue a Temporary Emergency Permit - which, unless rescinded - will be valid for 90 days. If the modified processes remain in effect beyond the 90 days, Temporary Emergency Permits will be automatically renewed for an additional 90 days. For those looking to renew or for those requesting Temporary Emergency Permit the following must be followed in order to get an application process going:
-- Residents must contact the Sheriff's Office to begin the application process by requesting an application be emailed, faxed, or mailed to them. Applicants should include their full name, phone number, mailing address, and email address when requesting an application by email or fax:
Email: CHPRecords@jeffco.us.
Fax: (303) 271-5552
Application fees must be paid by Visa or Mastercard:
-- Temporary Emergency Permit application: $25
-- Renewal application: $35
The Sheriff’s Office will process applications in the order they are received and will conduct background investigations to determine each applicant’s eligibility.
These new processes will remain in effect until the public lobby reopens and the Records Unit can resume standard permitting procedures.
4 p.m. | Coronavirus cases in Colorado now past 5,000, CDPHE says
The number of positive cases of the novel coronavirus in the state has grown to 5,172, an uptick of 222 cases from Sunday, according to the latest numbers provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Nearly 1,000 people have been hospitalized in the state (994 as of Monday afternoon), 70 more than reported a day prior, and the virus is now present in 54 of Colorado's 64 counties. So far, 26,875 people have been tested (an additional 1,102 more than reported Sunday) and the state has reported 150 deaths, ten more than reported a day prior. A total of 41 outbreaks have been reported at residential and non-hospital healthcare facilities - four more outbreaks than reported on Sunday by the CDPHE.
State health and government officials believe there could be between 12,000 and 33,000 cases of COVID-19 in Colorado, but are prioritizing testing for those who are most at-risk
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock says in a letter that the State and Federal governments will be converting the Colorado Convention Center into a 2,200-bed field hospital this month to "relieve pressure on our medical system." The letter also asks the hotel/motel industry for help in housing the city's homeless as the number of expected cases of the novel coronavirus are expected to surge in the coming days. In total, Hancock is asking for an additional 3,300 rooms to "meet the anticipated need among people experiencing homelessness and the needs of our local hospitals in the weeks ahead."
"I emplore you to consider, or reconsider, your involvement in this humanitarian mission," the letter reads.
3:28 p.m. | Colorado delegation pushes for assistance for critical access hospitals and rural health clinics
U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) and U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse (D-CO), Scott Tipton (R-CO), Ken Buck (R-CO), and Doug Lamborn (R-CO) are calling on the Small Business Administration (SBA) to interpret the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to ensure that Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) are eligible for certain assistance, particularly the Paycheck Protection Program.
3:27 p.m. | Tri-County Health Dept. hosting Town Hall with mental, public health experts
Arapahoe and Douglas counties, along with the Tri-County Health Department, will host a virtual Town Hall with Aurora Mental Health Center and AllHealth Network. The town hall will provide the latest coronavirus news and best practives from mental and public health experts. It is scheduled to begin at 7 pm.
The town hall will be available on the Arapahoe government's website as well as the county's Facebook page. People who wish to participate may call 1-855-436-3656.
3:22 p.m. | El Paso County Public Health issues local order to reinforce compliance with state's stay-at-home order
El Paso County Public Health has issued a local health order to reinforce the state's stay-at-home and social distancing orders.
"In terms of enforcement, El Paso County continues to focus on education, outreach and voluntary cooperation as the preferred approaches to gaining compliance to the Stay At Home order, but a protocol has been put in place for the issuance of a criminal summons in cases where voluntary compliance cannot be obtained."
The county's public health department says they continue to receive a high number of calls on the enforcement of the state's stay-at-home order. Those wishin to report violations should not call 911 or local law enforcement, but should call the county's public health department at (719) 578-3167.
3:08 p.m. | Denver seeks help from National Guard in managing homeless crisis amid COVID-19 outbreak
Denver officials are discussing ways to assist the city's homeless population amid social distancing guidelines and have sought help from the state to enlist the National Guard.
The city said it had reached its limit on what it can do to manage the homeless crisis and has formally reached out to Gov. Jared Polis to enlist the help of the National Guard to build and staff additional auxiliary shelters that promote social distancing. Currently, Denver shelters are housing 100-300 people in a room, often only a foot apart. The city has opened up recreation centers to accommodate the overflow. But the it still lacks adequate space for social distancing at its shelters without cutting their capacity.
3:04 p.m. | Aurora Mental Health sets up COVID-19 Support Line
To help people cope with feelings of anxiety or stress related to COVID-19, Aurora Mental Health has set up a Support Line so those affected can call and speak to a therapist seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Services in Spanish are available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Call (303) 617-2300 and choose option 5.
2:47 p.m. | Littleton announces budget cuts, hiring freeze due to COVID-19
Littleton City Manager Mark Relph has announced a hiring freeze for non-essential positions and other cuts to the city's budget totalling $1.1 million.
“The city’s primary source of revenue is sales tax,” Relph said in a prepared statement. “Before COVID-19, our economy was strong, and we had many ambitious plans. But of course, things have changed. While our finance staff is analyzing the data, it is too soon to predict the damage this virus has caused to the city’s budget. However, it is fair to say that sales tax revenue will be down significantly. For this reason, our Leadership Team has developed a list of short-term actions that will cut $1.1 million from the 2020 budget. This includes changes to temporary staffing levels, a freeze on seasonal and vacant positions (except for essential positions such as police), learning and education, and tuition reimbursement; putting a hold on several professional and consulting projects; and reductions in parts, supplies, printing, and maintenance.”
2:25 p.m. | Denver stay-at-home order extended
Mayor Michael Hancock on Monday extended the city's stay-at-home order and ban on mass gatherings to April 30. The stay-at-home order was originally set to expire April 11, the same day as the statewide stay-at-home order.
"I know this hasn’t been easy for many, but given the current data and advice from experts about the spread of COVID-19 in our community and across the country, these are the actions that are going to get us on the other side of this curve and protect the health of as many people as possible," Hancock said in a statement on his Facebook page.
I am extending Denver's Stay at Home Order until April 30th. I know this isn't easy, but given the current data and advice from experts about the spread of COVID-19 these are the actions that will get us on the other side of this curve and protect our health.
— Michael B. Hancock (@MayorHancock) April 6, 2020
Hancock said the city has had 6,090 contacts with businesses and residents about compliance with the stay-at-home order and 1,796 warnings have been issues. Fourteen citations have been issued.
2 p.m. | New data released
The number of coronavirus cases in Colorado rose by 222 on Monday, to 5,172 total, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which held an afternoon teleconference. The number of deaths rose by eight, to 148 total since the outbreak began. Officials said 976 people have been hospitalized and 26,875 people have been tested for coronavirus in the state.
Rachel Herlihy, the state epidemiologist, said social distancing has slowed the spread of coronavirus in Colorado but emphasized that cases are still growing and that it was too early to tell if cases have peaked in the state. Herlihy said the impact on the stay-at-home order from two weeks ago could be reflected in case data later this week. Officials have said there is typically a two-week lag in impact from when a new social distancing measure is enacted.
1:24 p.m. | Inside the data driving Colorado's response to COVID-19
State officials over the weekend released the most comprehensive look yet at the data driving Colorado's response to the coronavirus. More than 900,000 Coloradans could have been infected by the coronavirus by early May if no social distancing measures were taken, according to data released Sunday by the state's COVID-19 Modeling Group, a team of researchers that the Colorado School of Public Health (ColoradoSPH) assembled to assist the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) in understanding the pandemic in Colorado.
1:04 p.m. | Denver discussing ways to assist homeless population amid COVID-19 outbreak
Denver and state leaders are discussing ways to assist the city's homeless population amid social distancing guidelines. Officials held a Zoom conference Monday.
The city has already offered hotel rooms for those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and opened up recreation centers. There are currently 68 individuals staying in Denver hotel rooms as of Monday. However, the city says it does not have the resources to continue managing the crisis without the help of the state.
Leaders say they need more auxiliary shelters that promote social distancing. They are also requesting assistance from the governor to enlist the National Guard to help with opening up more shelters. The formal request for National Guard assistance is awaiting a response.
The homeless population is twice as likely to require medical assistance for a COVID-19 infection than other communities, according to State Rep. Leslie Herod.
7 a.m. | Vail Mountain Rescue makes plea to backcountry users
Vail Mountain Rescue Group emphasized on Facebook that while the current Stay-at-Home Order does allow people to leave their homes for outdoor activities, that should be limited to low-risk options. The group said this does not include backcountry skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and sledding or tubing.
"Every time you venture outdoors to pursue high-risk activities, you are rolling the dice, for yourself, for us, and your community," the post reads.
Social distancing becomes next to impossible if a rescue is required.
"Post-mission, everyone involved may require a 14-day quarantine, impacting our team's ability to respond to backcountry emergencies, and the resources we can bring to bear in our community's collective fight against COVID-19," the post reads.
The group reminded people that if they want to be outside, to stay close to home and to avoid high-risk activities.
5 a.m. | Reminder: Gov. Polis to hold statewide address tonight
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis will hold a statewide address today at 6:30 p.m.
Click here for the live blog from Saturday and Sunday, April 4-5, 2020.
