February 8, 2021

County Moves to Yellow on State's New Dial 2.0

On February 5, Governor Polis and CDPHE announced a new Dial Framework for measuring the counties' openness levels called Dial 2.0. Under the new dial, which went into effect on Saturday, February 6, Boulder County will now be under Level Yellow. According to the State, the new dial is in response to the downward trend in cases and increasing vaccination efforts and an endeavor to continue to suppress the disease while bolstering the economy.
Changes to the dial include:

7-day metrics, rather than 14-day metrics. Measuring incidence rates, percent positivity, and counties' hospitalizations.
Higher caps on metrics for each level and county hospitalizations, rather than hospital capacity, will be used as a metric.
In Level Yellow, restaurants can operate with up to 50% capacity, up to 50 people, or up to 150 people using the State's Social Distancing Calculator. (Previously, the limit was up to 100 people using the calculator).
Under the State's Five Star Certification Program, Colorado businesses will not operate in Level Blue until at least 70% of people 70 and older in the State have been vaccinated.

To learn more about Level Yellow, including capacity limits for businesses and organizations, and Dial 2.0, visit the CDPHE's Dial webpage.

Vaccine Update

On Friday, Governor Polis announced that Coloradoans ages 65-69 and child care workers in licensed child care programs are eligible to get vaccinated beginning today, February 8. See the State website for more details.

You're Invited:
Oil and Gas Q&A /Listening Session

The Town is hosting a Question & Answer/Listening Session in partnership with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) and the Weld County Oil and Gas Energy Department to address questions about the Mae J well site. The Mae J site is located east of Colliers Boulevard and north of Weld County Road 10. Join the representatives virtually via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 11. For details, please visit the calendar event.

Boulder County Compost Facility Discussion

The Town of Erie Board of Trustees, during their regularly scheduled Board meeting, will be hosting a public discussion on the Boulder County Compost Facility. The Town asked representatives from Boulder County to participate, provide information on the proposal and respond to questions. However, they responded that the County's review of the facility designs has been put on hold and as a result declined to have County representatives participate in the meeting.

To help inform the Board of Trustees' position on this proposal, even though County representatives will not be participating, the Board still wants to hear from Town residents who have comments, questions or concerns about this Boulder County proposal. The Board will not be deciding on matters but encourages the public to participate in the discussion portion of the virtual meeting on Tuesday, February 9. The general meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. For details on how to participate, please read the news release. If Boulder County resumes the review process on this proposal and provides updated information, the Town will schedule an additional public meeting to consider the matter.

Connect for Health Special Enrollment Period

Colorado is opening a Special Enrollment Period for health insurance for any who are currently uninsured. The Connect for Health Colorado marketplace re-opens on Monday, February 8. Any Erie residents who want guidance in choosing the right plan may call 303-441-1000 (option 3) and leave a message to schedule a virtual appointment with an expert Health Coverage Guide or visit www.BoulderCountyHealthCoverage.org for more information.

Parks Division Winter Maintenance

Despite the winter weather, Parks Division crews continue to perform crucial maintenance operations. In January alone, the Open Space and Trails crew, with the Forestry crew's assistance, performed large-scale tree and shrub pruning operations at Thomas Reservoir. The Forestry/Horticulture crew have been performing structural pruning operations at Columbine Mine Park and the medians on Erie Parkway. The team has also provided routine maintenance in the tree nursery at the LAW Service Center, winter watering trees in parks, mulching trees, and mapping tree vacancies for spring tree plantings. Crews also performed horticultural cutbacks, installed drains at Erie Community Park, installed controllers at the Police Department and County Fields Park, replaced backstops at Columbine Mine Park, and mulched shrub beds throughout the Town. Thank you for creating safe, accessible, and beautiful parks for us all to expERIEence year-round!

Water Tips

The Sustainability Advisory Board offers a few simple water tips residents can use around the house to save water and money, especially with so many people still working at home due to the pandemic. Please view all of the tips shared thus far on the Recycling webpage.

Safe Gun Storage

Thousands of firearms are stolen in Colorado each year. Attorney General Phil Weiser has partnered with local law enforcement officials across Colorado to save lives and remind firearm owners to secure guns when not used. The Erie Police Department and 20^th Judicial District Attorney Michael Dougherty have collaborated to create public service announcements and share responsible ownership and safe storage tips. To view the recommendations and public service announcements, visit www.coag.gov/firearmsafety.

Council of Governments Academy

Over the past decade, the Denver Regional Council of Government's (DRCOG) academy has inspired and prepared numerous alumni to serve as elected officials. Hundreds of participants have gone on to positions in public agencies that shape Colorado's future. Participants learn from local experts and leaders, network with other residents, and act on what they've learned. DRCOG is now accepting applications for the spring 2021 virtual session until February 24. Learn more here.