Jeffco Mask Order Ends, But Federal, State Orders Remain

ARVADA, CO — The Jefferson County Board of Health voted on Thursday to end the public health order that required the use of masks in all public, indoor spaces, including schools and childcare facilities. The order — which has been in place since Nov. 23 — will officially lapse at midnight Friday.

This new move comes on the heels of school districts and local counties neglecting to renew their own mask mandates, and with COVID-19 hospitalizations dropping, the availability of hospital beds trending upward and statewide immunity to omicron climbing, according to the latest data from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment.

"What is important to understand is that there is a big difference from a mandate and a continued recommendation to wear a mask indoors," said Scott Bookman, the city health department's COVID-19 incident commander, at a Feb. 3 news conference.

The Jefferson County Board of Health highlighted the difference again in its latest news release.

"Although masks will no longer be mandated upon the expiration of the PHO, JCPH still strongly recommends the use of masks in any indoor, public settings," the news release said. "Further, use of N95 or KN95 masks is strongly encouraged, as they have higher levels of protection, but wearing a well-fitting surgical mask is also effective."

The news release recommended getting vaccinated, getting tested when necessary, wearing masks and socially distancing when possible, saying that "layering prevention strategies" is the best way to protect oneself from contracting the virus.

And although Jefferson County is dropping its mask mandate, masks will still be required in certain locations, in accordance with federal and state mask mandates that are still in effect, the news release said.

This includes the "federal requirement for all individuals to wear a mask when using public transportation and CDPHE’s Public Health Order 20-38, which requires unvaccinated individuals to wear masks in specific settings, including medical facilities, homeless shelters, prisons and jails."

People are also still required to follow isolation and quarantine guidance, which says to mask for five days after the first five days of isolation when in public, indoor spaces.

In addition, "Any businesses or facilities that wish to require masks may continue to do so," the news release said.