Headlines November 23, 2021
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Three Metro Counties Implement Indoor Mask Orders
The boards of health covering Adams, Arapahoe, and Jefferson counties voted last evening to make face masks mandatory for public indoor settings. The orders go into effect beginning tomorrow, November 24th. The orders come amid a surge in school outbreaks and as hospitals fill up statewide.
Indoor masks will be required for people two and older in Arapahoe and Adams counties. Jefferson County’s order requires indoor masks for individuals three and older. The Denver Gazette reports Denver officials plan to announce the city’s own mitigation measures today. Governor Jared Polis continues to resist issuing a statewide mask order.
Colorado COVID-19 Deaths Pass 9,000
Governor Jared Polis said on Friday that while the state has the 9th lowest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the country, still 9,000 Coloradans have lost their lives to the virus. He repeated his hope that more people will get the vaccine. 81% of adults and nearly 40% of children aged 5 to 17 have gotten at least one dose.
Polis said that the state is facing one of the toughest waves since the start of the pandemic. He also urged anyone who had the vaccine over 6 months ago to get a booster. According to the Colorado health department, over 1,500 people are hospitalized in the state from COVID-19. 82% of those are unvaccinated.
State Health Dept Say Get Tested Before Holiday
State health officials are encouraging Coloradans who plan to attend Thanksgiving Day gatherings to get tested for COVID-19 before the holiday. Free testing is available for over 140 community sites across the state, along with testing at select pharmacies.
Although the virus doesn’t take a holiday break, the state will close testing sites on Thanksgiving Day along with the state’s vaccine hotline. More information is available at COVID-19.colorado.gov.
City Council Members In Aurora And Denver Start Gun Buyback Program
In response to the shootings that occurred near two Aurora high schools last week, Denver City Councilperson Amanda Sawyer and Aurora City Councilperson Curtis Gardner announced a joint gun buyback program that will begin in March of next year.
The program will work in cooperation with a Colorado Springs non-profit that specializes in hosting gun buyback events and converting weapons into garden tools and jewelry. Program participants can choose to remain anonymous. The Aurora Sentinel reports event organizers will announce dates, times and locations in January.
Colorado Water Regulators Issue Violation Notice To Owner Of Hard-Rock Mines Near Nederland
The Water Quality Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued a notice of violation and a cease and desist order earlier this month against Grand Island Resources, LLC, the owner of the Cross and Caribou Mines just outside of Nederland.
According to The Daily Camera, the violation notice alleges the company failed to comply with state water quality standards and a discharge permit by releasing excess heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and zinc into the watershed. The violations reportedly occurred multiple times between December 2020 to August 2021.
The Daily Camera reports the company recently took over of the mines after the death of longtime owner, Tom Hendricks and it has 30 calendar days to respond to the state’s notice.
In a statement, the company said work is already underway to replace the antiquated water treatment and purification systems with modern, state-of-the-art infrastructure.
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