Larimer County to take input on vaccine verification program

Measure would let businesses, events bypass mask mandate

The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment is considering a program that would let county businesses and events bypass the mask mandate that went into effect Wednesday, so long as most people involved are fully vaccinated.

But while the county was hoping to open the program for applications in November, it has been put on pause to “allow for additional time for businesses and community members to have their questions addressed.”

“We are listening and hearing from everyone,” Public Health Director Tom Gonzales said. “Our goal here is to get our hospitals to where they can have a bit of breathing room, because right now it is an emergency. They are overburdened.”

According to the county website, the program being considered is titled the Larimer County Vaccine Verified Facility and Event Program.

If it goes into effect, through the completely voluntary program, businesses and events could become exempt from the mask order in their facilities or venues by verifying that 95% of the individuals in their indoor spaces are fully vaccinated, including both employees and patrons.

Facilities could also

choose to have certain spaces or times of day designated as vaccine-verified to meet their needs.

Gonzales said the program idea, which the health department adapted from a similar program used in Boulder County, was meant to help businesses and venues that were already implementing vaccine safety measures and, yet, now have to deal with the mask mandate. He said that the program would be completely voluntary and up to the businesses themselves; adding that businesses do not need to apply or follow the program’s rules if they don’t want to.

“I know people are frustrated, especially those who have been vaccinated,” Gonzales said. “So we are trying to give those who are vaccinated an option so they don’t have to wear a mask.”

The county announced Oct. 15 that anyone over the age of 3 would be required to wear a mask in all indoor public spaces across the county, starting Oct. 20. A previous press release sent by LCDHE said that the order will remain in place until the county has met four metrics for 21 consecutive days:

• Less than 65 COVID-19 patients in Larimer County’s hospital system.

• Intensive care unit utilization below 90% of customary levels.

• The county’s seven-day case rate per 100,000 at less than 300.

• The county’s seven-day positivity rate below 10%.

On Friday, the county’s COVID-19 dashboard showed Larimer County was meeting two of those metrics, with seven-day percent positivity of 8.9% and a seven-day case rate of 288, but was over on the other two metrics, with 97 COVID-19 patients in county hospitals and ICU usage of 102%.

The county health department will review requests by facilities and events once the program is live. Three requirements are in place to qualify for the Vaccine Verified Facility Program:

•Must have a written policy requiring proof of vaccination for all individuals entering the indoor space (visitors, guests, employees, staff, etc.)

•Must have 95% of all individuals vaccinated

•Other mitigation strategies suggested if needed (increased ventilators, reduced capacity, etc.)

More information on the program can be found at bit.ly/3njsbfn.