On May 14, 2021, Governor Polis updated Colorado’s COVID-19 mask order and extended the order until June 1, 2021. The amended Executive Order states that fully vaccinated people can go without masks in public indoor spaces unless the setting requires otherwise. For this updated mask order, “public indoor space” means a publicly or privately owned, managed, or operated, enclosed indoor area that is accessible to the public, is a place of employment or is an entity that provides services. Public indoor space does not mean a person’s residence, including a room in a motel or hotel or a residential room for students at an educational facility.

The order requires people in Colorado who are 11 years and older to wear a mask over their noses and mouths in Preschool through grade 12 schools (including extracurricular activities) and child care centers and services; however, fully vaccinated individuals, including vaccinated children ages 16-18, in a classroom, cohort, or other group of children may remove masks where the teacher(s), caregiver(s), or other staff whose primary responsibility is education or childcare have provided proof of fully completed vaccination to their employer. Mask wearing is encouraged for children ages 2-10, including during in-person instruction (including sitting at desks) and extracurricular activities, unless the student has a medical intolerance, disability, or education reason for not wearing a mask.

Local communities and businesses may have additional mask restrictions. Check with your local public health agency for additional mask requirements.

Updated Mask Order FAQ’s

Please see the FAQ document linked to above for additional guidance.

On May 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age. At this time the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for use with individuals ages 12-15 is the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine.

As of May 12, 2021, Colorado is in Phase 2 of vaccine distribution. All individuals ages 12 and older are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine and all Coloradans 18 and older are eligible to receive the Moderna or Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine. Individuals can find a vaccine provider through CDPHE’s COVID-19 Vaccine webpage. The state’s vaccine provider map includes information on which vaccine each location is administering. Prior to scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine, individuals ages 12-15 should first confirm the vaccination clinic they choose offers the Pfizer vaccine as not all vaccine sites offer each of the approved COVID-19 vaccines.

The following information could be helpful to your school community as members seek to access a COVID-19 vaccine:

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recently released updated guidance for graduation ceremonies following the latest statewide mask and distancing orders for schools. The main difference is the language related to masking and distancing guidance for outdoor ceremonies was removed. Schools still are expected to follow CDPHE’s indoor and outdoor events guidance for masking and distancing. Read the new guidelines here.