La Plata County Meets Criteria for Level Orange
Durango, Colo. — (February 1, 2021) — On Monday morning La Plata County formally met the restrictions for Level Orange on the Colorado COVID Status Dial. La Plata County has already been reaping the benefits of Level Orange, since Governor Polis announced a statewide adoption in early January; however, as of February 1, La Plata County’s COVID metrics met the official regulations to qualify for the lower status level.
The metrics that qualify La Plata County to enter Level Orange include low hospitalizations, a positivity rate below a 10% threshold, and a 14-day case total below 350/100,000.
For businesses that are not 5 Star Certified, things will not change. As was the case in January, La Plata County residents will be able to hold or attend personal gatherings of up to 10 people from two different households; restaurants can offer indoor dining at up to 25% of their capacity, or 50 people (whichever is lower); and indoor events will be allowed at 25% capacity.
Businesses that are certified by La Plata County’s 5 Star Program will be able to operate at 50% capacity for indoor dining. Additionally, 5 Star Certified businesses will be able to extend last call to 10:00 p.m. 5 Star Certified restaurants are able to take advantage of these perks because they are implementing enhanced safety protocols such as symptom screening, contact info collections, and stricter mask wearing. Currently, there are 54 restaurants in La Plata County participating in the 5 Star program. Certified restaurants include Steamworks Brewing Company, Purgatory Resort’s dining options, Zia Taqueria, Bottom Shelf Brewery, and others. For a full list of 5 Star Certified restaurants in La Plata County go to swcoda.org/5star.
“BID is proud that La Plata County was the fourth county in the state to receive the opportunity to run a 5 Star Program,” said Tim Walsworth, Executive Director of the Downtown Durango & North Main Business Improvement District. “This program does a great job of balancing public health with economic health.”
The 5 Star Program is currently open to restaurants, gyms, fitness centers, and as of February, indoor events. Soon, the program will begin accepting businesses categorized as personal services, as well. Businesses not yet certified are encouraged to apply at swcoda.org/5star-laplata. Certification involves submitting a cleaning schedule form with an application and an on-site inspection.
“The local 5 Star Program budget is supported by donations from the Chamber, Purgatory Resort, Alpine Bank, Bank of Colorado, Bank of the San Juans, Vectra Bank, First Southwest Bank and BID,” said Jack Llewelyn, Executive Director of the Durango Chamber of Commerce. “Thank you to each of these businesses for supporting this important program.”
For more information contact:
Tim Walsworth, 5 Star Program Administrative Committee member, timw@downtowndurango.org or 970-749-1157
About 5 Star La Plata
The 5 Star Certification Program enables businesses that meet enhanced safety guidelines in La Plata County to open at greater capacity. The voluntary program recognizes businesses that have gone above and beyond to keep their communities safe. The mission of La Plata County’s 5 Star Certification Program is to increase safety protocols and improve health standards for La Plata County residents, and create added economic impact to La Plata County businesses. Please visit swcoda.org/5star-laplata to learn more about the certification program.
###
