Denver extends COVID-19 stay-at-home order; Red Rocks closed for Easter

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock on Monday announced he is extending the city's stay-at-home order by nearly three weeks amid the continuing battle against coronavirus.

The order, which had been set to expire April 11, was extended to April 30.

Meanwhile, the city announced Monday via Twitter that Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre -- traditionally the site of a sunrise Easter Sunday service -- will be closed Easter weekend from 6 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Monday "to limit the spread of #COVID19."

Hancock's action on the stay-at-home order had been expected. He told The Denver Post's Conrad Swanson on March 31 that he planned to set a new expiration date.

The order calls on people in Denver to stay home "except for essential business or essential activities," such as visits to the grocery store and health care facilities and to take walks. Click here for a full list of exceptions.

The city also extended its ban on mass gatherings of 50 or more people.

“I am very proud and thankful for all the Denver residents who are staying at home and practicing physical distancing,” Hancock said in Monday's announcement. “I know this hasn’t been easy for many, but given the current data and advice from experts about the spread of COVID-19 in our community and across the country, these are the actions that are going to get us on the other side of this curve and protect the health of as many people as possible.” 

As of now, Colorado's statewide stay-at-home order expires April 11. Gov. Jared Polis plans to broadcast an address to the state on the crisis at 6:30 p.m. MT Monday.

With the extension, Denver officials will "conduct additional outreach and enforcement," a statement said. It said that so far, officials have made 6,090 contacts with businesses and residents about compliance with the stay-at-home order, issuing 1,796 warnings and 14 citations.

As of April 4, the Denver Emergency Operations Center declared the COVID-19 situation to be "worsening," with at least 763 cases of the coronavirus-caused disease reported in the city and at least 20 deaths.

Statewide, CDPHE Monday reported at least 5,1732 COVID-19 cases and at least 148 deaths.