The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has released a draft plan for a new version of its COVID-19 dial, “Dial 3.0,” and is asking for public feedback on the proposed changes, which will take effect — with possible modifications — Wednesday, March 24. The proposed changes to the dial include reopening bars in most parts of the state for the first time since last summer and lifting all statewide limits on the size of personal gatherings. Colorado will further relax the COVID-19 restrictions managed through the state’s color-coded dial next week, with plans to ease the statewide mask order in two weeks, then turn over control of most public health orders to local governments in mid-April.

This aligns well with plans for our valley. Mesa County already reached out to the state last week to request that we reopen fully by April 16.