COVID-2019 (Coronavirus)
The City of Brighton staff continues to be in communication with local health partners, Tri-County Health Department, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) regarding the 2019 Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019).
Safer-at-Home Order
On May 9, the city of Brighton transitioned from Stay-at-Home to the state’s Safer-at-Home guidelines. The change in order means in addition to essential services like hospitals and grocery stores, many non-critical businesses like retails are able to operate in limited capacity in accordance with the state’s Safer-at-Home order.
Starting May 27, state guidelines allowed restaurants to offer indoor dine-in service at 50-percent of the posted occupancy code limit and a maximum of 50 patrons. Guidelines include parties are limited to eight people, tables must be six feet apart, all employees must wear face coverings, and deep cleanings and disinfecting must be done on surfaces with each turnover.
The City of Brighton is dedicated to working with restaurants in order to maximize the number of patrons possible at each establishment. As such, City staff is providing specific guidelines for those looking to temporarily expand operations safely and timely into adjacent areas including parking lots - details here.
Beginning June 1, Governor Jared Polis will allow youth and sports camps to take place, so long as there is adherence to guidelines set by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE). Among the restrictions are physical distancing, size limitations (outdoor camps of 25 people or less, indoor camps of 10 people or less), and screening of staff and volunteers for COVID-related symptoms. Click here for more camp guidelines.
Bars, gyms, libraries, and movie theaters remain closed. Businesses must adhere to at least a 50-percent reduction in their in-person work force. Workers who can do so are still encouraged to work from home whenever possible. Click here to view Tri-County Health Department’s business checklist for re-opening.
More information regarding the Safer-at-Home order, click here for industry-specific guidelines or here for frequently asked questions (FAQ’s).
(BACKGROUND: On April 26, the Tri-County Health Department extended the Stay-at-Home order to May 8 for Adams and Arapahoe counties, citing an effort to stem the on-going high level of COVID-19 virus infection in the counties. Since then, TCHD officials said COVID-19 testing and personal protective equipment (PPE) have started to improve with the help of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) providing additional testing and PPE to local providers and test sites.)
Closures/Reopenings
On June 2, City Council voted to re-open Brighton City Hall and Historic City Hall. Hours of operation will be Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To ensure the safety of visitors, all employees are required to wear a face covering while in public areas, take their temperature upon entering city buildings and practice social distancing measures where appropriate. Any employee registering a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius will be sent home. Contact tracing will be done for every employee who tests positive for COVID-19.
Additionally, the city has taken precautionary measures to safeguard residents and visitors including sneeze guards at all customer services counters, increased sanitation and disinfection practices with EPA and CDC approved disinfectants, extra towels and spray disinfectants in communal spaces, and providing face coverings for visitors to the building if needed. Many departments are offering the opportunity to make advance appointments to eliminate waiting and lines, and many services are still available online.
Due to financial constraints related to opening the Brighton Oasis Family Aquatic Park for a shorter season and with limited capacity, City Council voted to not open the water park for the summer of 2020. In addition, the uncertainty surrounding the shortened time frame allowed for camps and the availability of facilities to host the program, the Brighton Recreation Center will be unable to host the Funshine Summer Camp in 2020.
Other city facilities will remain closed until further guidance due to current state public health orders including the Eagle View Adult Center (1150 Prairie Center Pkwy.), Brighton Recreation Center (555 N. 11th Ave.) and the Armory Performing Arts Center (300 Strong St.).
The Brighton Police Department remains open. Essential public safety services will continue and measures are in place to continue non-emergency operations.
Court sessions are suspended through at least May 31, but Court will remain open for processing cases by phone, mail, or email. All traffic tickets are eligible for the "Early Plea Guidelines" established by the City Prosecutor. All cases that aren’t eligible for this are eligible for a plea by mail at the discretion of the City Prosecutor. All Court-ordered NCTI and ISAE classes may be completed online. Restitution will be reserved in all cases for 91 days (which starts upon disposition/resolution of the case). Cases will be rescheduled to a later date when court sessions resume.
City-owned parks and trails remain open, but people must follow social distancing guidelines of six feet between individuals and are restricted to groups of 10 or less. Playgrounds, picnic areas and public restrooms remain closed.
City-owned basketball courts and tennis courts are open strictly for families of the same household. Dog parks are open, but pet owners are encouraged to wear face coverings and practice social distancing in those spaces.
Cloth Face Coverings
On May 5, City Council voted to strongly encourage residents to wear a face covering in public. In addition, all individuals over the age of two years old and without a disability are required to wear a face covering in all city buildings.
Governor Jared Polis continues to encourage Coloradans to wear cloth face coverings when they go out of their homes for essential functions like grocery shopping. Data suggests up to 1 in 4 people infected with COVID are asymptomatic and spreading infected respiratory droplets. Masks offer minimal protection for the wearer, but they make a big difference in helping to protect others if a person is infected and doesn’t know it. The state has partnered with ColoradoMaskProject.com, where people can find patterns for making their own masks and ideas for how to help others who can’t make their own, get one. To learn more, visit https://www.coloradomaskproject.com/
Case Count and Mapping
To view case data for Adams County, visit Tri-County Health Department’s website.
To view statewide data, visit the state’s website.
Frequently Asked Questions
A list of frequently asked questions is available here. If your question is not included, please call us at 303-655-2000.
Colorado Health Emergency Line for the Public
To help answer questions about COVID-2019, the CDPHE has set up a Colorado Health Emergency Line for the Public (CO HELP) at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911. Interpretation is available in many languages including Spanish, Mandarin, and more.
COVID-19 and Water/Wastewater Treatment
Regarding COVID-19 and the city’s water and wastewater operations, coronavirus has no impact on the quality or supply of your tap water. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking-water supplies. Based on current evidence, the risk to water supplies is low and Americans can continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual.
As required for all municipal water systems, the treatment processes used at the Water Treatment Facility removes or destroys 99.99% of all viruses.
For more information, visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s COVID-19 and drinking water web page.
News Releases
To view current news releases, go here.
Business Resources
With funding from Adams County through the federal CARES Act, the City of Brighton in conjunction with the Brighton Economic Development Corporation (BEDC), has created a grant program to assist businesses with 50 or fewer employees in paying the rent or mortgage for their business. The Grant will pay rent or business mortgage for a two month period not to exceed a total of $10,000 dollars. These grant funds are stackable with other resources obtained by the business applicant. Applicants will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis. Businesses must have 50 or fewer employees to be eligible. Microbusinesses (9 employees or less) will be prioritized for assistance funds. Home-based businesses are not eligible. For more on the requirements and application, click here.
To support local businesses, the BEDC and the Greater Brighton Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau have teamed up to start the #WeAreBrighton campaign. Visit http://brightonedc.org/wearebrighton and check out Brighton establishments that are open for business and providing gift cards, take out, and delivery service. If you are a local business and would like to be added to this site, visit https://forms.gle/H9d8KjdBMWoPUcEr9.
The Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) in partnership with the BEDC has created the Brighton COVID-19 Relief Fund to help small businesses in Brighton access capital and business coaching. The goal is to provide swift support to viable businesses during the COVID-19 crisis with immediate relief, recovery and rebuilding programs, through a CEF COVID-19 Relief Loan.
Adams County has launched a series of programs to assist small businesses with the reopening and recovery process. As part of its COVID-19 emergency response and recovery strategy, Adams County, through its Community & Economic Development Department, is establishing the Small Business Stabilization Program to provide local businesses with grants up to $35,000 to retain jobs during the pandemic.
For more resources and resource providers, visit the Brighton EDC website.
Additional Resources
Below is reliable and up-to-date information to help you stay informed about the virus:
Safety Tips
Residents are strongly advised to continue staying at home, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. This includes people with underlying medical issues and those 65 and older.
People who go out in public are urged to continue to take the following preventative measures:
Wear a face covering
Maintain six feet of distance from others
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, isolate yourself and contact your doctor
If you are sick, stay home
Limit non-essential travel
Here are more preventative actions recommended by the CDC - Protect yourself and others.