Boulder to delay hybrid council meetings due to a significant spread of COVID-19 across Boulder County
Holiday Closures
In observance of the winter holidays, the City of Boulder is adjusting its operations schedules.
In-person options for public participants were slated to begin May 17
The City of Boulder has made the decision to return to all-virtual City Council meetings, effective immediately, due to concerns about trends related to COVID-19.
Based on data collected over the past seven days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) yesterday moved the county’s COVID-19 community level from green, or level low, to yellow, or level medium, on their tracker of community risk.
Additionally, though unrelated to the designation of yellow status by the CDC, council members and staff contracted COVID after gathering in Council Chambers for the May 3 council meeting.
The decision means that council members and staff, who had been meeting in person for regular council meetings, will once again participate virtually. It also delays the option for the public to attend these meetings in person, which had been slated to begin on May 17.
“While we have been excited about the prospect of welcoming community members back to in-person participation, public safety remains our top priority,” City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde. “We’re hopeful this period of heightened vigilance will be short-lived. We will continue to monitor data and watch for news of any changes in risk levels from public health officials.”
The city’s decision will not affect libraries, recreation centers or the newly opened or re-opened Service Centers at New Britain, the Penfield Tate II or Brenton buildings. These will remain open. Unvaccinated community members are asked to wear a well-fitting, medical-grade mask in public buildings as are those who are at a high risk for severe disease for their own safety in accordance with CDC guidance.
For the foreseeable future, the city will require any city-sponsored public engagement events to be held outdoors or conducted virtually. COVID-19 vaccines are widely available and incredibly effective at preventing serious illness and death, For the most current information on COVID-19 vaccine locations and eligibility please visit Boulder County Health’s website.