Clear Creek County roads closed to non-residents; Clear Creek access restricted

Clear Creek County will shut down all county roads to non-residents to curb outdoor activity
By: Ryan Osborne, Stephanie Butzer, Apr 09, 2020

CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, Colo. — Clear Creek County commissioners on Thursday voted to close all county roads to non-residents, beginning 12:01 a.m. Saturday, as officials hope to reduce activity in the county during the coronavirus outbreak.

Commissioners Randy Wheelock and George Marlin voted in favor of the move, while Commissioner Sean Wood opposed it. The order from commissioners Thursday will only apply to county roads, not U.S. 6 and Interstate 70 and city streets.

Wheelock said the county has seen summer levels of activity on trails and in parking lots in the county, despite the statewide stay-at-home order. Through Wednesday, Clear Creek County had seven confirmed cases of COVID-19, though officials on Thursday warned that county's healthcare system could not handle a spike in cases. The nearest hospital is in Jefferson County, and Clear Creek only has three ambulances.

From the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office:

Access Restricted on Clear Creek

Jefferson County, CO. – Effective at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday April 9, 2020, and until superseded or repealed, Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Shrader and Golden Police Department Chief Bill Kilpatrick will prohibit waterway activities on Clear Creek. These temporary restrictions apply to Clear Creek in unincorporated Jefferson County, as well as those portions of Clear Creek within the City of Golden, including Vanover Park.

This temporary restriction was made in response to the Stay at Home Order that makes it difficult for recreational users of the creek to adhere to the six-foot social distancing guideline. In addition, if a rescue were necessary, it would require law enforcement and fire departments to expend resources that are already facing challenges due to COVID-19.

Pursuant to C.R.S. § 33-13-111 and 2 CCR 405-2 #217, the Sheriff of Jefferson County and Golden Police Chief are prohibiting ALL USES in Clear Creek, including all single-chambered air inflated devices, such as belly boats, inner tubes, and single chambered rafts, “body surfers,” and swimming, as well as all vessels, kayaks, whitewater canoes, and multi-chambered river boards.

Under C.R.S. § 33-13-111 (3), the penalty for violating this restriction is a class 2 petty offense and will result in a fine of $100.00.

From the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office:

At 12:00 a.m. On 4/11/2020 all county roads in Clear Creek County will be restricted to locals only. Construction and anyone caring for another person will be allowed as well. This is an ongoing measure taken by Sheriff Albers and the Clear Creek County Commissioners to help keep our community and first responders safe.

Violating this order could result in criminal charge;

C.R.S. § 25-1-516(1)(a) Unlawful acts, violation of public health order. A Misdemeanor 1

For more information visit the Clear Creek county web site. www.clearcreekcounty.us/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Christine Crouse, Clear Creek County COVID-19 Public Information Officer
Phone: 303-679-2424 / 970-389-8724 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Stay Healthy. Stay Informed.

Clear Creek to Close County Roads to Non-Residents

Georgetown, CO, April 9, 2020 —To protect the Clear Creek community and our First Responders, the Clear Creek County Board of Health today issued a Public Health Order temporarily restricting access to Clear Creek County roads for non-county residents. This order will take effect on Saturday, April 11, 2020 at 12:01am.

In alignment with the Governor’s Stay-at-Home Order and in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Clear Creek County, this order limits access to county roads by non-county residents for purposes other than essential travel. County residents can still travel on county roads for necessary activities.

Clear Creek County Sheriff and County COVID-19 Incident Management Team Commander Rick Albers explains, “If our First Responders need to assist or rescue anyone – resident or non-resident – who ends up showing COVID-19 symptoms, 10 or more of our responders are out of service for at least two weeks to isolate. This would be devastating for the crew and our medical response capabilities.”

The COVID-19 pandemic is a unique emergency situation that is impacting everyone, everywhere at the same time, thereby putting extreme pressure on all First Responders and medical professionals. Protecting the health and safety of those on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic by limiting possible exposure better protects the community.

Minimizing the localized spread of the COVID-19 virus is especially important since Clear Creek County has a high percentage of at-risk residents and limited access to medical facilities.

To be safe, it is best to assume that anyone, including yourself, could be a carrier of the virus and is contagious — whether or not symptoms are apparent.

Take proper precautions and follow State and County guidance and orders — wash your hands frequently and vigorously with soap and warm water for 20 seconds; only leave your home to do necessary tasks; when you do go out for essentials, stay local, practice social distancing (stay 6 feet apart at a minimum), do not gather or congregate, and wear a protective mask that completely covers your nose, mouth and chin.

During this public health crisis, please respect the health and limited resources of our small mountain community, and stay in your county for outdoor recreation. Says Cassandra Patton, Director of Clear Creek County Tourism Bureau, “We look forward to welcoming you back when the time is right. For now, please stay home and stay safe.”

You can review the full Public Health Order at: www.clearcreekcounty.us/DocumentCenter/V...-Public-Health-Order

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Christine Crouse,
Clear Creek County COVID-19 Public Information Officer
Phone: 303-679-2424 / 970-389-8724
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Stay Healthy. Stay Informed.

Clear Creek County COVID-19 Incident Management Team Prepares for Peak COVID-19 Response Actions

Georgetown, CO, April 8, 2020—As the number of COVID-19 cases increases across the country and in Colorado, the Clear Creek County Incident Management Team (IMT) continues to serve and safeguard the community while preparing for the localized peak of the pandemic.

According to IMT leaders, Sheriff Rick Albers and Public Health and Environment Director Cindy Dicken, “The Clear Creek community is doing an incredible job during this difficult time. The majority of our residents are practicing social distancing and wearing protective face coverings when out for essential activities; this is helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our area.” This is especially important since Clear Creek County has a high percentage of at-risk residents.

The County Public Health and Environment Department (PHED) reports that there are now nine confirmed positive cases in Clear Creek County; with one hospitalization and no deaths. Of the nine, five have been confirmed by valid COVID-19 testing, and four exhibited symptoms and had close contact with confirmed cases. Seven of the nine cases are out of isolation, and all are being monitored by the County PHED. Testing in Clear Creek is limited to those exhibiting severe symptoms. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, please call your health care provider or the PHED Nursing Staff at 303-670-7545.

If you are a resident of Clear Creek County and are experiencing or have recently experienced the onset of COVID-19 related symptoms such as cough, fever or shortness of breath, please complete the new Self-Reporting Form on the County website/COVID-19 page-- www.clearcreekcounty.us/ and click on the HAVING COVID-19 SYMPTOMS? Information Box. For non-emergency COVID-19 related health questions, including how to use the new Self-Reporting Form, call the County’s COVID-19 HEALTH INFORMATION LINE at 303-670-7528.

Because of the ongoing nation-wide shortage of valid test kits, obtaining this self-reported information is critical for our public health agency to track the spread of the disease, understand health outcomes for residents, support local agency requests for additional resources, and help our IMT make informed decisions to protect the Clear Creek community. “Waiting until the county receives test kits to make public health decisions is not an effective way to coordinate our planning,” says IMT Situation Unit Leader and County Environmental Health Specialist Charlotte Hampson. All personal information will remain confidential. To date, 43 people have self-reported.

To be safe, it is best to assume that anyone, including yourself, could be a carrier of the virus and is contagious – whether or not symptoms are apparent. Take proper precautions and follow State and County guidance and orders

—wash your hands frequently and vigorously with soap and warm water for 20 seconds; do not gather or congregate; only leave your home to do necessary tasks; when you do go out for essentials, practice social distancing (stay 6 feet apart at a minimum), do not touch your face, and wear a protective mask that completely covers your nose, mouth and chin.

While Clear Creek County boasts beautiful trails and vistas, now is not the time for non-residents to visit. During this public health crisis please respect the health and resources of our small mountain community, including our First Responders, and stay in your county outdoor recreate. IMT Operations Section Chief and County Office of Emergency Management Director, Suzanne Boccia explains, “This is a unique emergency that is impacting everyone everywhere at the same time, which puts extreme pressure on First Responders and medical professionals. Protecting the health and safety of those on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic by limiting possible exposure and providing them with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) better protects the overall community.”

To keep the community safe, the IMT continues to:
• procure additional valid COVID-19 test kits as they become available, despite the ongoing national shortage
• collect, organize and distribute Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to those most at-risk
• assess and meet community need for food and other necessary supplies
• manage volunteer efforts, including food and supply distribution
• apply for federal, state and local financial assistance
• provide up-to-date information about health issues, local services/contacts, food resources, small business assistance, and more through the COVID-19 Information page on the County website www.clearcreekcounty.us , daily posts on the County Facebook page, interviews on KGOAT radio, and the new County COVID-19 Health Information Line at the Idaho Springs Resource Center
• support online learning for Clear Creek students by adding internet hotspots and assisting with health and safety plans for limited, scheduled building re-entry by staff and students for essential supplies and equipment

Says IMT Planning Section Chief and County Department of Human Services Administrator Donna Kline, “We have such a helping spirit in Clear Creek; folks are volunteering and we have ongoing donations of food and supplies, as well as generous financial support.”

Additionally, to keep you informed and receive community feedback, the County Commissioners are now holding virtual meetings twice a week, County Business on Tuesday at 9am and COVID-19 Updates on Thursdays at 11am. Connection information will be provided.

The closure of County Government offices has been extended through April 19 and essential staff has shifted work schedules in accordance with the Governor’s Stay-In-Place Order.

We realize these are challenging times, but please do your part to keep healthy and minimize the spread of COVID-19 by continuing to social distance and only leaving your residence for essential services. Stay Healthy. Stay Informed. Stay the Course, Clear Creek.