Denver Stay at Home Order and State Social Distancing Order

March 23, 2020 @ 6:36 p.m.

We are writing to clarify what the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic—and recent guidance/orders from Governor Polis and Denver Mayor Hancock—mean for our campus and how they affect our work.

Mayor Hancock today announced a new Stay at Home Order requiring all Denver residents and workplaces, with the exception of those delivering specific essential functions, to stay/work from home beginning 5 p.m. tomorrow, March 24, continuing through April 10. The mayor said that he expects other cities in the metro area to enact similar orders very shortly.

CU Denver has already moved to remote working and learning, with only faculty and staff deemed critical/essential coming to campus, and only when absolutely necessary. We do not expect the mayor’s order today to change our current operating status or the ability of our employees to come to campus. And given that emergency food distribution is considered essential, the Lynx Mobile Food Pantry for students will go on as planned tomorrow and in the future.

We are confirming with the city if the critical/essential faculty and staff can utilize their employee badges to identify themselves or if they need a letter documenting their critical/essential status. We will be in touch with those critical/essential employees as we identify any requirements.

Governor Polis’s March 22 order for employers to reduce their workforce by 50 percent did not change anything for the university’s status. The State of Colorado on March 21 clarified its social distancing public health order, spelling out exemptions to the guidance prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people. 

What these orders do impact are your personal habits. Under the Denver order, all people in the City & County of Denver are now required to stay home to the greatest extent possible. Only essential activities necessary to promote health and well-being are permitted, such as getting groceries, obtaining medical supplies or medication, and/or engaging in outdoor activities like walking, hiking, or running, while continuing the strict observance of physical distancing practices. See the full public health order for additional information, including a full list of exceptions.

This pandemic presents a significant health care challenge, and the best way to avoid getting or spreading the virus is to minimize social interaction and avoid community spaces.

Please take care of yourselves and be well.