Print Friendly, PDF & Email

The City of Salida elevated its stance to Tier III of the COVID-19 Action Plan on December 4 due to the rising COVID-19 cases in Chaffee County and the county’s movement to Orange on the state COVID-19 dial.

“As we enter these critical winter months before a vaccine is widely available, it is important for the City to limit the potential for spread of COVID-19.  This can only be done by reducing contacts between people, keeping your distance from people, eliminating unnecessary meetings or travel, and other measures as recommended by the Chaffee County Public Health Department,” said Mayor P.T. Wood.  “We’re grateful for CCPH’s efforts to keep our community open for business for as long as we’ve been able to, and now is the time to assist our public health professionals by taking these restrictive actions.”

As part of the designation, the City will be significantly limiting access to the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center. Click here for rules that will be in place in order to visit the facility. The Paquette Gallery at the Salida SteamPlant will be open on a very limited basis. The SteamPlant Theater and Annex remain closed until further notice.

Tier III or Level Orange/Red indicates multiple rising cases of COVID-19 within the county with an incidence rate between 175 and 350 per 100,000 residents. According to the City, Phase III steps include the following:

  • Employees will be directed to stay home (or go home) if they or any family member they live with is exhibiting any symptoms, or if they are high risk.
  • Meetings of the City Council, and of official City Boards and Commissions, may take place in person following all physical separation requirements, and with the following limited restrictions: in-person attendance of the public is limited to only applicants or appellants for quasi-judicial hearings. Remote attendance and participation by all parties, including City Council members and staff, is strongly encouraged.
  • Recreation programs shut down, including very limited access to, or closure of, the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center, the SteamPlant Event Center, and the Rotary Scout Hut. Specific closure dates shall be established by Department Heads and announced via press release.
  • Teleworking and staggered shifts authorized. Departments will continue to roll out additional measures or plans to allow employees to work remotely, when feasible.
  • Departments must take additional steps they have identified to limit exposure between employees and between employees and members of the public.
  • Reduced staffing in City buildings authorized. Departments will take steps to ensure City buildings are minimally staffed, and public access is very limited. Employees are encouraged to perform all tasks remotely, if possible. Face coverings must be worn at all times, including while in one’s office or at one’s desk.
  • Heightened level of sanitization of spaces including additional germicide spraying.
  • Selected City Staff have PPE on hand and begin utilization, as appropriate.
  • Public events (other than official meetings of the City Council, or of official City Boards or Commissions) scheduled to take place in City-owned facilities are suspended until further notice. The Salida community is strongly encouraged to engage in social distancing and to postpone or cancel any gatherings where people will congregate in large numbers and/or in close contact with one another.
  • Other steps as directed by CDPHE and CCPH.

City Council and the Planning Commission meetings, along with meetings of all boards and commissions, will have very limited in-person attendance for purposes of conducting public hearings beginning December 4. The City will now require those wishing to testify to do so via GoToWebinar, email or letter. Testimony in person for public hearing will be limited to one applicant or appellants of an agenda item. Masks and social distancing guidelines are required for anyone providing in-person testimony.

The City will continue to work with the officials of Chaffee County Public Health and the Board of County Commissioners to evaluate the COVID-19 pandemic and respond accordingly via Salida’s Action Plan. Information regarding CCPHD’s response to this situation can be found on their Facebook page at COVID19ChaffeeCounty.

For more information, contact City Hall at 719-539-4555.