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Failure to follow public health orders could mean jail time and a hefty fine for a mountain county in Colorado amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Violation of public health orders in Pitkin County now results in Colorado’s highest offense.
Mountain County law enforcement, including Aspen, Snowmass Village and Basalt, will now issue tickets for “gross public health violations,” such as major parties and rallies.
The offense for offenders is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum of 18 months in prison and / or a fine of $ 500 to $ 5,000.
“Sending a letter a week later that says ‘Don’t do it again’ isn’t as clear as a ticket stuck in a hand the night it happens,” said Bill Linn, deputy police chief of Aspen. , to the Aspen Times in a recent interview.
Focusing on the need for increased security in the event of a pandemic, officers will patrol looking for any signs of large gatherings such as noise complaints.
“We are not spying on you,” says a joint Upper Valley law enforcement press release.
With the increase in public health order enforcement comes a significant increase in COVID-19 transmission rates, which led Mountain County to revert to red-level restrictions last week.
The new public health order went into effect in Pitkin County on Saturday, January 17, banning indoor dining at restaurants and increasing oversight of public health requirements at ski resorts. Accommodation reservations have also been limited to one household per accommodation.
Despite one of Colorado’s highest COVID-19 incidence rates, Pitkin County has seen a steady drop in rates for almost a week now.
For more information, please visit https://covid19.pitkincounty.com/.
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