Tri-County Health's New School Mask Mandate: What To Know

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, CO — The Tri-County Health Department rescinded Monday its policy that allowed counties to opt out of its school mask mandate.

The new order, which takes effect Wednesday, requires everyone ages 2 and older in schools and childcare centers to wear masks.

The department's board of health, which oversees Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties, voted 5-3 to pass the new order.

Douglas and Adams counties opted out of the department's previous order — both counties decided not to require masks for everyone ages 2-11 in schools; however, those opt-outs have been rescinded.

"The most important thing we can do for children’s mental health and well-being is to assure in-person learning and limit interruptions to this in-person learning by keeping children and the classrooms safe,” Dr. John Douglas, Tri-County Health's executive director.

“We have reached a point where transmission has increased significantly and is putting our communities at risk. We must now take the statutory responsibility and authority given to us by the Colorado Legislature to reduce the spread of communicable diseases and keep our communities safe. The new mask order will help to protect those who cannot get vaccinated and allow children to continue in-person learning.”

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The delta variant has spread rapidly in Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties — there have been 44 confirmed and suspected school outbreaks in the counties since the beginning of August, health officials said. Most new cases are among those who are not or cannot be vaccinated, including children younger than 12, the department said.

"Masks have been shown to be 50-70% effective in reducing transmission of infection," Tri-County Health said in a news release. "However, like vaccination, protection from masking is most effective with higher levels of use; mask-wearing compliance is highest when it is mandated."

The Tri-County Health Department's new mask order will remain in effect until Dec. 31, unless amended, extended or rescinded.

“This school mask requirement will protect our children, our families, and our community members who cannot get vaccinated," Douglas said. "Together with other mitigation strategies, it will help reduce disruptions caused by outbreaks and quarantines and allow our kids to get back to focusing on their education and social-emotional wellbeing."

Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, and Jefferson counties, as well as school districts Adams 12, Adams 14, Westminster, Englewood, Sheridan, Aurora, and Cherry Creek all have school mask mandates.