Denver Home by 10 Public Health Order

Nov. 7, 2020

Dear CU Denver Community,

I am writing to update you on operations at CU Denver after the city and county of Denver issued its “Home by 10” order on Friday, Nov. 6. This order prohibits all public and private gatherings of people who are not members of a single household except for the operation of critical businesses, which includes universities/colleges and their academic and research activities. CU Denver is permitted to continue its operations, but we must ensure masks are worn at all times, social distancing and spacing are maintained, and daily attestations continue. This is a strict prohibition on gatherings, and in our CU Denver community only essential academic activity can continue in person. 

Because of our advance planning for a limited return to campus and limitation of in-person activities, we do not believe the order impacts our operations. The courses on campus are those where in-person learning is essential and appropriate. Students may continue to come to campus to receive instruction, study, and access resources, including the food pantry. Research may continue under the safe return plans previously submitted and approved. Although our number of COVID-19 cases with campus contact increased this week and there were a handful of asymptomatic individuals in Lynx Crossing, we have not seen transmission in classroom settings.

It is critical that the health care system not be overwhelmed in the coming weeks and months with COVID-19 cases, so it’s increasingly important to avoid unmasked, close contact with anyone outside of your household. 

Campus leadership continues to meet on a daily basis to discuss the status of the public health orders, the cases of COVID-19 on our campus, and how to maintain safety in our community and activities. Unlike our situation, some universities or colleges around Colorado are moving fully remote. They have larger populations of out-of-state students and more residential students who could be curtailed from leaving the state if public health orders become stricter. We continue to monitor the situation and will be in touch with updates and changes as they occur. 

Stay safe, and thank you for continuing to adhere to our safety protocols.

Chris Puckett
Special Assistant to the Chancellor for COVID-19
Managing Associate University Counsel