Centennial State News

Colorado Governor's Office issued the following announcement on Nov. 15.

Local municipalities and business leaders from across Colorado join Governor Jared Polis in continuing or moving their workforces to remote work. With more than 4,000 cases on average per day and a 7 day positivity rate of more than 12%, it is imperative that Coloradans lessen their interaction with one another. 

“Coloradans working remotely when possible will save lives,” said Governor Jared Polis. “Every Coloradan needs to step up and do our part to keep our communities healthy and our economy running, and they include working from home whenever possible these next few weeks.” 

Numerous Colorado leaders joined the Governor in advocating for remote work. State, local and county governments as well as businesses of all sizes all across the state are taking steps to increase remote work, a key tool in reducing transmission of COVID-19. Right now, about 1 in 110 Coloradans are actively contagious. All Colorado residents need to increase efforts to reduce contact with people in other households, wear masks, and stay home if they are sick to stop transmission.

"Adams County fully supports Governor Polis asking all businesses to move their workforce to remote status," said Emma Pinter, Adams County Commissioner and Board Chair. "As our numbers continue to rise, and the pressure on our hospital systems intensifies, this is the next step in keeping our workforce healthy and avoiding Stay At Home orders."

“Local government employees constitute a sizable workforce throughout the state and by working remotely during this heightened COVID surge, we can reduce the risk of increasing cases,” said Mayor Marc Williams of Arvada and Chair, Metro Mayors Caucus. “As a city and regional leader, we must act now, so I join the Governor in supporting his call for all non-essential local government employees to work remotely through this month.”

"Given the public health concerns from Colorado's surge in COVID cases, Aurora will answer the Governor's request by making sure that every city employee that can work remotely is working remotely and to set an example for other local governments, and for our private sector employers, to do the same," said Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman.

“In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 and keep our communities safe, Boulder County staff have been working remotely, where possible,” said Boulder County Commissioner Elise Jones. “We all must do our part to protect the health and safety of our communities. That’s why I join Governor Polis in urging Boulder County residents to work remotely and help limit the spread of COVID-19.”

“We can limit the spread of this virus by removing the opportunity for it to spread – by avoiding large gatherings, by wearing masks, by socially distancing and by working from home if you have the ability to do so,” Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. “With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s more important than ever. I join Governor Polis in urging Coloradans to work from home whenever possible, particularly as we enter the heart of the holiday season.”

“Energize Colorado stands with businesses making these difficult yet proactive choices to keep their employees and communities safe and healthy,” said Wendy Lea, CEO of Energize Colorado. “Implementing innovative and thoughtful workforce development strategies including working from home allows Colorado to source greater talent and provide our workers the flexibility they need. 

"The City of Englewood employees have shifted to 25% or fully remote where ever possible. City council is continuing to meet virtually and has not skipped a beat in taking care of city decisions since March,” said City of Englewood Mayor Linda Olson. “We will continue to limit personal interactions so that those that cannot will be safe."

"Keeping one another safe and healthy is a community-wide effort, and Gunnison County staff are doing their part by working remotely when possible," said Gunnison County Commissioner Jonathan Houck. "I encourage local leaders and businesses in Gunnison County and across Colorado to join our efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 by working remotely when possible."

Bryan Leach, CEO of Ibotta said, “At Ibotta, we are working 100% remote until at least July 1, 2021. It's the right thing to do for our employees and their families. It's also the right thing to do to show our support for people in other sectors who can't work remotely. The more we all do our part, the quicker we can get this under control.”

"We are all in this together, whether public sector or private, we can lead the charge to help get us through this new uptick in cases. We continue to provide a high level of service for our residents while protecting the safety of our civil servants and their families,” said Lakewood Mayor Adam Paul.

“We are working remotely in Pueblo because it's a key way to stop transmission of COVID-19,”said Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar. “Pueblo is showing you can be safe, and highly productive by working remotely, wearing masks, and reducing interactions with people outside our household to flatten the curve. We've done it before, and we can do it again.”  

"In Routt County, staff is working remotely as much as possible and cohorting where it is not possible. We believe this is critical to keeping staff and the public safe and ensuring continuity of operations,” said Routt County Commissioner Beth Melton. “We ask all businesses to join us in requiring staff to work remotely to the greatest extent possible to slow the spread of COVID." 

"In March, Summit County Government undertook a massive reorganization of our systems and operations to reduce the risk of infection among our workers and members of the public. Now, in response to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in our community and across Colorado, we are doubling down on our work-from-home strategy, because it's one of the best tools we have to get things back under control," said Summit County Commissioner Elisabeth Lawrence. "I urge residents across Colorado to join me in working remotely to help stop the spread of the virus.”

“The City of Westminster is doing all it can to stop the third wave of COVID-19, which is why we’ve launched a Health Ambassador education program in partnership with Tri-County Health Department,” says Westminster Mayor Herb Atchison. “Special teams are safely canvassing neighborhoods to ensure residents have the most up-to-date information about COVID-19, and support services available. We’re also asking city staff to return to telecommuting if they can. We hope other businesses will take similar action where possible, because together we can stop the spread and protect our families, friends, schools, and local economies.”

Original source can be found here.