Adams County Opts Out Of School Mask Mandate For Children

ADAMS COUNTY, CO — Adams County commissioners voted 3-2 at a public hearing Tuesday to opt out of the Tri-County Health Department's mask order for children ages 2-11.

"The commissioners’ action today allows each school district to follow or amend existing protocols," the county said in a news release. "The opt out allows for each district to implement their individual approach."

Adams County Commissioner Eva Henry explained the decision in a statement released Tuesday.

“I do believe in masks; however, this particular health order is flawed and for that reason we are opting out of the public health order for masks,” Henry's statement read.

“County commissioners have never given directives to school boards as they are a separate elected body and locally controlled, and I believe our State Board of Education and local boards make the best decisions for their communities and our children.”

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The Tri-County Health Department, which oversees Arapahoe, Douglas and Adams counties, announced its mask order Aug. 17 after a public comment session that lasted an hour and a half.

School mask mandates have also been announced in Denver, Jefferson County, Boulder and Broomfield counties.