Headlines May 21, 2021
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Boulder County Mask Order Amended
Boulder County Public Health on Thursday amended its “Face Covering Order” effective immediately through June 10. The amendment requires masks to continue to be worn indoors, regardless of vaccination status, for schools, childcare and healthcare settings, on public transportation (including ride shares), and congregate care facilities in Boulder. This differs from the state mask order, which will be lifted for all indoor facilities beginning June 1. Residents should also be aware that businesses can still implement their own policies and require you to wear a mask.
Colorado COVID Vaccinations for Kids
The state announced Thursday that approximately 11% of Colorado kids between the ages of 12-15 have been vaccinated as part of the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Jared Polis said all the state’s Community Vaccination Sites offer the Pfizer vaccine for kids that age, and most do not require an appointment. He added that anyone under the age of 18 would need parental consent before getting their shots. As far as adults, Polis said two-thirds of Coloradans over the age of 30 have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine.
Colorado Decriminalizes Marijuana, Prepares Pardons
Gov. Jared Polis said Thursday he will issue additional pardons to Coloradans convicted of low-level marijuana possession crimes now that he’s signed a bill into law allowing people to have up to 2 ounces of cannabis. House Bill 1090, which Polis made a law on Thursday, doubles Colorado’s recreational marijuana possession limit to 2 ounces for adults 21 and older. Polis said some people who were arrested prior to the state’s legalization of marijuana could have drug charges on their record, noting it would disproportionately be people of color – and that could be impacting their ability to get loans, leases, licenses, jobs, mortgages or many other things. Polis added that his office would begin reviewing records over the next few months in preparation for additional pardons.
Weld High School Alarmed by Racist Photo
Officials at Mead High School in Weld County are investigating a photo shared on Snapchat of what appears to be three students reenacting the murder of George Floyd in the school parking lot. The Snapshot photo came with a caption biding goodbye to seniors. The Daily Camera reports that St. Vrain Valley School Superintendent Don Haddad strongly condemned the reenactment made by a group of students from Mead High School. Haddad added that racism in any form can have a deep and lasting impact and the district will be addressing this extremely serious matter immediately and accordingly. He encouraged parents whose students need support after seeing the photo to reach out to a school counselor. Current and former students of Mead High School, along with parents and community members have created a petition to denounce the photo and demanded consequences for the students involved.
CU Launches New Center for Black Studies
CU Boulder announced Thursday it will establish a new Center for African and African American Studies on campus to support teaching, research and creative work on the history and culture of people of African descent. CU professor and center Director Reiland Rabaka said the center is 15 years in the making with a goal of wanting to emphasize what African American studies is in the 21st century and the evolution from Black studies in the ‘60s to today. On top of serving as a growth platform for teaching and research, the center will house performing and visual arts programs as well as a student services program.
Electric Buses Join Boulder Fleet
Three zero-emission electric buses are now operating on Boulder’s HOP route. The City says the new buses, designed and manufactured by Proterra, are 100% electric and emission-free and charged with renewable, solar energy. The zero-emission electric buses are quieter than diesel buses, more fuel-efficient and can travel more than 200 miles on a single charge.
