Local Update – El Paso County Enacting Stricter COVID-19 Guidelines

November 4, 2020 By Claire Garlick Leave a Comment

From KRDO: El Paso County Commissioner Chairman Mark Waller says the county will move to Safer At Home Level 2 restrictions on Nov. 4 due to rising COVID-19 rates.

Under Safer at Home Level 2 guidelines, offices must move to 50% capacity, indoor events are capped at 100 people, outdoor events are capped at 175 people, retail stores must operate at 50% capacity, restaurants must operate at 50% capacity or 50 people (or 100 with calculator) with six feet between parties.

All schools can be in-person, hybrid, or remote as appropriate under Level 2.

Waller tells KRDO that Gov. Jared Polis’ office made the decision to increase the coronavirus restriction level in El Paso County.

The move comes as El Paso County’s two-week coronavirus incidence rate has climbed over 270 per 100,000. According to state guidelines, that number should put the county at Level 3 restrictions, however, the state made the decision to only bump the county up from Level 1 to Level 2.

Waller says the restrictions take effect on Nov. 4 so that it doesn’t affect Election Day.

Starting in early October, the number of COVID-19 cases in El Paso County began to spike up, with two of the highest daily-count days since the pandemic started happening this month. County officials had said they were meeting with state health officials to discuss mitigation efforts, but Waller expressed displeasure with the lack of time given to come up with a new plan.

Waller also argues the restrictions on businesses likely won’t make a difference, because — according to scientists — the spike is largely due to house parties where people aren’t wearing a mask or social distancing.

“We want to have the opportunity and the ability to try to figure out where this is coming from so then we can take appropriate actions, because this shot in the dark kind of solution that we’re using right now just isn’t what we need moving forward,” Commissioner Waller explained.

However, public health officials insist we need to make do with the restrictions we can implement, and encourage people to follow guidelines at home, too.

“It is the cumulative effect of all of our individual actions that will have the impact that we need,” said Medical Director Dr. Robin Johnson.

Article originally published at https://krdo.com/news/top-stories/2020/10/30/el-paso-county-enacting-stricter-covid-19-guidelines-after-election/.

Garden of the Gods Park Receives More Than $360,000 to Support Visitor Experience

October 27, 2020 By Claire Garlick Leave a Comment

Garden of the Gods Park receives more than $360,000 to support visitor experience and public safety programs

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department received a donation earlier this month totaling $367,826. Funds will support the visitor experience, public safety programs and the next phase of restroom construction in the ever-popular Garden of the Gods Park.

The generous donation was made by the Garden of the Gods Foundation, with $50,000 from the Garden of the Gods Trading Post.

“We are extremely grateful for the wonderful collaboration between the Foundation, Trading Post, and the City,” said Karen Palus, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services director. “This is such a great example of community organizations working together toward a common goal, which in this case, is enhancing and protecting Garden of the Gods Park for the enjoyment of generations to come.”

The Garden of the Gods Foundation, a local 501(c)(3) organization created in 1994, works to improve the quality of Garden of the Gods Park by gathering resources and distributing grants that enhance and protect the park. It also owns and operates the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, which was built to give back to the park. Since its founding, the Foundation has granted more than $4 million to Garden of the Gods Park, a registered National Natural Landmark.

“The Garden of the Gods Foundation is proud of its long-term commitment to preserve and maintain the Garden of the Gods Park,” said Jan Martin, president of the Garden of the Gods Foundation. “Our annual contribution to the parks department to enhance and protect this park feels even more significant in 2020, and we thank the thousands of visitors who have continued to patronize the Visitor and Nature Center and the park itself despite the challenges of this year. Every purchase made in the visitor center supports the park.”

The Visitor & Nature Center was closed for several weeks in March and all of April and May due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened to the public in June.

Article originally published at https://coloradosprings.gov/parks/article/news/garden-gods-park-receives-more-360000-support-visitor.

Colorado Springs – Tejon Street Named “Great Streets” 2020 Winner

October 21, 2020 By Claire Garlick Leave a Comment

The American Planning Association of Colorado named Tejon Street as the “Great Streets” 2020 winner of the Great Places Colorado program. Winners in the program represent the gold standard in terms of having a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement and a vision for tomorrow.

“I am thrilled Tejon Street has been selected as one of the 2020 American Planning Association ‘Great Places in Colorado.’ Over the last 50 years local planning efforts have focused on creating a vibrant Downtown, centered around Tejon Street,” said Mayor John Suthers. “This vibrancy is the direct result of interventions over decades by planners, economic developers, and local organizations seeking to create a place that is memorable and important. Tejon Street is truly an unparalleled atmosphere that makes Colorado unique.”

As a result of intentional planning and programming by the City of Colorado Springs and Downtown Partnership, Tejon Street hosts activity that is not seen in any other part of Colorado Springs.

Tejon Street exemplifies four key criteria evaluated by the American Planning Association of Colorado for the award:

Livable built environment: including wide sidewalks, patio dining and updated streetscaping.
In harmony with nature: integrating with Acacia Park and Alamo Square, connectivity to a robust trail system and use of natural landscaping.
Supporting a resilient economy: a mix of businesses and promotion of cultural programming, such as engaging festivals, parades and activities like Dine Out Downtown, as well as building and façade enhancement grants.
Fostering a healthy community: promoting walkability with walking tours, outdoor activities like Skate in the Park, and robust public art that enhances the pedestrian experience.
Tejon Street has been guided by master plans since 1971, with updates in 1992, 2009, and the Experience Downtown Master Plan in 2016. As a Form-Based Zone (FBZ) district and a state-certified creative district, specific public space standards are realized as new developments continue to occur Downtown, ensuring the spirit of a pedestrian friendly “Main Street” endures.

About Downtown Partnership

Downtown Partnership is the lead nonprofit organization ensuring that Downtown Colorado Springs serves as the economic, cultural, and civic heart of the city. For more information visit www.downtowncs.com, or contact Downtown Colorado Springs at 719.886.0088.

Article originally published at https://coloradosprings.gov/mayors-office/article/news/tejon-street-named-great-street-part-2020.

Local Update – El Paso County Enacting Stricter COVID-19 Guidelines

Garden of the Gods Park Receives More Than $360,000 to Support Visitor Experience

Garden of the Gods Park receives more than $360,000 to support visitor experience and public safety programs

Colorado Springs – Tejon Street Named “Great Streets” 2020 Winner

Tejon Street named “Great Street” as part of the 2020 “Great Places” Colorado program

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