COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise across the state. And while the city and county of Denver as a whole doesn't have a mask mandate or vaccination requirement for residents, it has instituted mandates for certain industries and employees. And, several restaurants and music venues in different parts of the city are implementing their own vaccine policies for employees and visitors.
Here's where things stand in Denver right now.
Where masks are required in Denver:
- Regardless of vaccination status:
- Schools and Childcare:
- Inside all K-12 public and private schools, including Denver Public Schools
- University of Colorado Denver
- Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Community College of Denver
- Inside all childcare facilities
- Transportation:
- On public transportation and at public transportation hubs
- At Denver International Airport
- Events and Venues:
- Curious Theatre
- Meow Wolf
- Su Teatro
- At all Denver Performing Arts Complex shows, including:
- Colorado Symphony
- Colorado Ballet
- Denver Center for the Performing Arts
- Opera Colorado
- Boettcher Concert Hall
- Ellie Caulkins Opera House
- Schools and Childcare:
- Not fully vaccinated:
- Homeless shelters
- Prisons and jails
- Medical settings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that masks be worn indoors in counties with high or substantial community transmission of COVID-19. While Denver falls into this category, there is currently no sweeping mask mandate across the city and county of Denver.
However, masks may be required at some businesses, restaurants, events and venues. Check before you go.
Who in Denver is required to get fully vaccinated
- City employees
- Police officers and other first responders
- Hospital employees
- Nursing home employees
- Employees of clinics and doctors offices
- Homeless shelter employees
- Day care/child care employees
- Jail and detention center employees
- Teachers in public and private schools (including post-secondary and higher education)
- Students at Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Students at University of Colorado Denver
How it will be enforced:
The public health order puts the onus on employers to ensure their employees "provide vaccination status" and document it. Anyone who does not provide their status will be treated as unvaccinated and is at risk of losing their job.
As for the private sector, enforcement is based on complaints. According to the municipal code, the public health department can shut down businesses and fine them up to $999 for failing to comply with the new rules, but Hancock stressed that the administration would work with employers.
People with faith-based or medical reasons to forgo the vaccine can be accommodated.
Where else in Denver you may be required to show vaccination proof:
Several restaurants, music venues and events have stated publicly that you'll need to to be vaccinated before dining or entering. But, many of them are on the honor system. Right now, we know of at least these:
Restaurants:
- Bar Max
- To The Wind Bistro
- Milk Market
- Mizuna
- Luca
- Osteria Marco
- Green Russell
- Russell's Smokehouse
- Vesper Lounge
- Salt & Grinder
- French 75
- Lou's Food Bar
Venues:
- Fiddler's Green
- Mission Ballroom
- Bluebird Theater
- 1STBANK Center
- Bluebird Theater
- Ogden Theatre
- Gothic Theatre
- Cervantes Masterpiece
- Boettcher Concert Hall
- Ellie Caulkins Opera House
- All CoClubs venues (The Church Nightclub, Club Vinyl, Bar Standard, Milk Bar)
- Meow Wolf (concerts and special events)
- Curious Theatre
- Su Teatro
Events:
- Denver Film Festival
- All Denver Performing Arts Complex shows*, including:
- Colorado Symphony
- Colorado Ballet
- Denver Center for the Performing Arts
- Opera Colorado
- Boettcher Concert Hall
- Ellie Caulkins Opera House
*Note that children under 12 must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of attendance.
How to get a digital copy of your vaccine card:
You might not know this, but Colorado now has a free smartphone app you can download called "My Colorado ID" -- it can store a digital copy of your driver's license, vehicle registration and more, including your vaccine record.
This way, you don't have to worry about keeping track of your paper vaccine card, or flipping through your photos to try and find a picture of it (though you may want to have a picture of the card saved, as a backup).
Here's how to get it added onto your phone and easily access it:
- Download the MyColoradoID app onto your smartphone
- Follow the instructions to add your driver's license or official Colorado ID onto the app.
- Tap on myVaccine Record, and follow the instructions. You won't have to upload information from your vaccine card -- the state already has this information on file, and the app should be able to find it using your Colorado ID previously provided.
- Confirm your information as listed on your vaccine record, and add additional contact information like your phone and email address if needed.
That's it! Now your vaccine record stored is on your phone, and you can provide it as proof in Colorado if, or when, asked.
If you have trouble adding it, or don't believe your vaccination record is correct, email [email protected] with your full name, date of birth, phone number and the date(s) you got your vaccines.
This story has been updated to clarify that proof of vaccination at certain places may be required.
