Colorado Seeks Feedback on Ski Area Guidance

As the 2020-2021 ski season approaches, the state is releasing guidance for opening and safety.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is seeking feedback on newly drafted ski guidance. Stakeholders and the public should submit feedback by this Friday, October 16 at 10am MT.

 
The guidelines draw from existing and well-known COVID-19 guidelines for industries, establish some new baseline standards to create common expectations for mountain-specific activities, and support the local planning and implementation of area-specific plans critical to success. A robust work group of local government officials, Local Public Health Agencies, industry partners, and subject matter experts at the state helped develop this draft.

“Ski areas are a vital driver of the Colorado economy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these areas also present unique challenges for controlling virus transmission. A successful ski season will require a strong partnership between ski areas, local governments, local businesses, and the state,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, CDPHE. “We can use what we’ve learned in the pandemic so far to mitigate risk in ski areas.”

These guidelines demonstrate that:

• Ski areas should work closely with their local public health agency (LPHA) to develop an area-specific plan and submit it to the LPHA and CDPHE for approval.
• Ski areas will need to ensure safe employee housing arrangements that mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
• Protocols for crowd management, mask and face-covering mandates, and physical distancing requirements need to be included in the area-specific plans.
• Each ski area must work with their local community to develop community-wide plans to ensure lodging guests can safely isolate and quarantine themselves in the event they test positive during their stay.

Read the full draft guidance.