The State of Colorado has shifted Montrose County to Level Orange on the state’s COVID Dial as of Monday, November 23. Level Orange is labeled as “High Risk” and indicates that increased precautions to reduce the spread of the virus are needed. Remote work for office workers is strongly encouraged at this level.

As a result, many City of Montrose employees are working remotely. Staff will continue to provide departmental services and can be reached by phone and email.  Other staff will continue to work at city facilities and in the field in order to provide essential services that cannot be done from home. In these instances, staff will adhere to social distancing best practices and will implement increased precautions.

The following modifications are in place at city facilities:

• Essential city services including water, sewer, trash/recycling, and law enforcement will continue normal operations.  
• The City Hall lobby will be open to the public, with customer service staff working behind glass. Other staff who usually work at City Hall will be working remotely. All department services will continue and the public is encouraged to contact staff by phone and email. 
• The Police Department lobby will be open to the public. Customer service staff will be working behind glass.
• The Animal Shelter will continue operations, serving one customer at a time due to space restrictions.  Adoptions will continue by appointment only. Animal control officers will respond to complaints and continue proactive operations.
• The Public Works building will be open to the public by appointment only. The green waste site continues to be open to the public. 
• Visitor Center in-person services and merchandise sales are unavailable at this time. Email, phone, and online services at VisitMontrose.com are available. Staff is working remotely and available by phone and email.
• Municipal Court offices will be open regular hours Monday through Thursday. Municipal Court will be held weekly with increased precautions.
• The Black Canyon Golf Course will be open (weather dependent) with ongoing precautions. 
• City Council, Planning Commission, and the Historic Preservation Commission will meet virtually as scheduled. Meetings are open to the public via live virtual participation. The public may join the meeting using the link provided and interact in the same manner as if the meeting were in person. Phone-in options will also be available for those without online access. Virtual City Council meetings will be recorded and posted on the city’s YouTube channel as soon as possible. Information regarding meetings will be posted online and on social media and can also be received by signing up for email notifications at CityofMontrose.org/NotifyMe. 
• City parks will remain open. Maintenance staff may be working and will not be interacting directly with the public during this time.
• The Pavilion Event Center is open to the public (event dependent) with continued implementation of precautions and state regulations pertaining to capacity limits.
• The city encourages bill payment online or via credit card over the phone. 

The City of Montrose is continuing to closely monitor direction from Montrose County Public Health and state and federal agencies and will follow their guidance for the health and safety of the Montrose community and city staff.

Quick Links to Stay Up to Date

Governor’s Facebook Page

covid19.colorado.gov

Mandatory Mask Order

Executive Order D 2020 138 is a mandatory statewide mask order that went into effect at midnight on July 16, 2020, and will be in effect for 30 days. It may be extended.

Fast facts about the order

The order requires people in Colorado who are 11 years and older to wear a covering over their noses and mouths:

• When entering or moving within any public indoor space.
• While using or waiting to use public (buses, light-rail) or non-personal (taxis, car services, ride-shares) transportation services.

People who do not have to wear a mask include:

• People who are 10 years old and younger.
• People who cannot medically tolerate a face covering.
• Children ages 2 and under should NOT wear masks or cloth face coverings.

Research shows that people who have no symptoms can spread COVID-19. Wearing a non-medical face mask helps minimize the spread of the virus. Instructions for making homemade masks can be found at the Colorado Mask Project.

Learn more about the order

Safer at Home Order

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has issued a "Safer at-Home" order that outlines a new level in Colorado’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes a more sustainable way of living for Coloradans while slowing the spread of the virus and allowing more Coloradans to return to work.  

Coloradans should continue staying home as much as possible and vulnerable populations, including seniors, should continue staying home, only leaving when absolutely necessary. 

Please visit Colorado’s Safer at Home website for the most current and detailed information.

Get the Latest Updates

Up-to-date and detailed information about conducting business operations in Montrose County during the pandemic can be found on Montrose County’s COVID-19 website. 

For information about arrangements in place for the State of Colorado, please visit the Safer at Home website.

Social media is the quickest way to get information from the city. Please follow DART on Facebook and Instagram for current business information.

If you have an idea on how to help your business or another business, please email it to us. We sincerely want to hear from you.

Grant application for our COVID Relief Fund is open!

Community-based organizations can start applying for relief funds. The link can be found at www.helpcoloradonow.org or go here. Community-based organizations that meet the following three criteria areas are eligible to apply: Organization type, populations served, and alignment with one of the Fund’s three funding priority areas of Prevention, Impact, and Recovery. For more information on requirements, visit the website to review eligibility and to apply! 

City Coordination with Community Partners

Montrose County Public Health is the lead agency in addressing the public health response to COVID-19 in Montrose. Daily updates along with important information can be found at MontroseCounty.net/COVID19. Montrose County has set up an information hotline at 970.252.4545.

The City of Montrose is in constant contact with local and state health agencies to receive up-to-date information regarding COVID-19.The city is also actively working with our community partners in health care, government, and education to monitor the status of COVID-19 in Colorado and the Montrose area. The public welfare of all residents in the city and the greater Montrose area continues to be our utmost priority.

The city is implementing and adjusting its action plan to make sure that city services continue uninterrupted while taking reasonable precautions to protect city employees.