- Lodging will be allowed to open at 50% capacity with a COVID-19 safety plan to include sector-specific guidance.
- Restaurants will be allowed to open, but indoor seating capacity should be limited by physical distancing requirements or 50% of facility capacity, whichever is more restrictive. The 50% seating capacity only applies to indoor seating and not to outdoor seating, which must meet physical distancing requirements (tables of eight and at least 6 feet apart).
- A maximum group/event size of 50 was approved in the variance. Gatherings more than 10 people must be a county- or municipality-permitted event with a COVID-19 safety plan. Informal gatherings (house parties, etc.) will remain limited to 10 or fewer. There is a preference for outdoor events, and a limit of 50% of facility capacity for indoor events/gatherings.
The current mandatory face mask requirement within Pitkin County will remain in place during phase 2, the news release states. While much of the county’s requested variances were approved, some were not: CDPHE did not approve the opening of bars, concert halls and music venues in Pitkin County.
Pitkin County's public health director, Karen Koenemann, and other public health officials have been working on sector-specific reopening instructions with input from local business owners. Gatherings will continue to be approved and modified for safety on a by-event basis.
Pitkin County's variances were approved based on the county's low infection and transmission rates, with only two of the county's 57 cases occurring in the past two weeks. The variance noted that if transmissions increase dramatically, to over 18 new cases in a week, the variance will be rescinded. Pitkin County was also recognized for proactive testing and contact tracing when the variance was granted.
We recommend staying in a private and professionally-cleaned vacation rental such as those at AspenSnowmassRentals. Avoid crowded common areas and have your own space to relax, cook, and keep yourself socially-distant while enjoying the beauty of Aspen and Snowmass.
