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DPO COVID-19 Guidance and Emergency Regulations

Statewide COVID-19 Guidance:

While in Colorado vaccines are widely available, statewide mandates have been greatly reduced, and individuals are encouraged to take greater responsibility for their own health, it is important that businesses and professionals continue to be aware of best-practice recommendations and current requirements.

To that end, the following key information has been accumulated below from existing Executive and Public Health Orders, and information from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and others to maintain safe and healthy interaction with the public.

  • As of April 16, 2021, the COVID-19 Dial has evolved into what is now Second Amended Public Health Order 20-38: Limited COVID-19 Restrictions, which allows counties to implement regulations at the local level while still maintaining some limited requirements across the state. Counties may use the statewide dial framework as a model for implementing their own regulations. As always, the more restrictive of the two must be followed. Please consult your local public health agency for any existing local mandates and orders.

  • A summary of remaining mandatory statewide restrictions, as well as recommended ongoing mitigation guidance from CDPHE can be found here.

  • As of May 14, 2021 Colorado’s revised Executive Order on face coverings states that fully vaccinated individuals can go without masks in almost all settings, while any individual aged 2 and older who is not fully vaccinated should continue wearing a mask indoors where members of different households are present. For additional information pertaining to the new guidance, please view CDPHE’s FAQ document.

  • Masks are still required in certain settings, including limited healthcare settings. These settings are defined as: acupuncture (not related to personal services), athletic training (not related to personal services); audiology services; services by hearing aid providers; chiropractic care; massage therapy (not related to personal services); naturopathic care; occupational therapy services; physical therapy; speech-language pathology services.

  • As allowed under state law, owners, operators, and managers of any business or service may, at their discretion, continue to require individuals entering or within their locations to wear face coverings or show proof of full vaccination. Please see Section II.D here.

  • Masks are required in traditional healthcare settings, including: hospitals, ambulance service centers, urgent care centers, non-ambulatory surgical structures, clinics, doctors’

  • offices, and non-urgent care medical structures.

  • While it is no longer mandated by state law, the wearing of face coverings by unvaccinated individuals, improving ventilation, and maintaining hand and cough hygiene remain effective ways to keep you, your employees, and customers safe from COVID-19 and other illnesses.

  • Guidance documents distributed by the Division of Professions and Occupations for Salons/Spas, Massage Therapy, Dentists/Dental Hygienists, and Mental Health contain information from expired public health and executive orders, but continue to be useful as “best-practice guides.” Please visit CDPHE’s COVID-19 website for the most updated information, which includes guidance by sector.

Please note that licensees must continue to adhere to all applicable laws, rules and policies related to their profession. We appreciate your partnership and cooperation since the onset of the pandemic and join you in looking toward a bright future for our state.

Emergency Regulations:

Based on Executive Order D 2020 038 the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations has been granted the authority to promulgate emergency rules for multiple professions to expand the workforce personnel available to provide healthcare services due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Colorado.

The rules below were adopted by the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations on April 27, 2021, regarding temporary licensure and scope expansion pursuant to Executive Order D 2021 080. Please also reference the Frequently Asked Questions document for further information.

You may view the emergency rules adopted on May 11, 2021, for the expansion of scope regarding the administration of the COVID-19 vaccination via Executive Order D 2021 096, for each individual program below.

For more information please visit the home pages for the corresponding professions below:

Temporary licensure options are available to those who are recent graduates for the above professions AND who are experiencing delays or are unable to schedule their exam. To apply for a temporary license based on these regulations, please visit our Division of Professions and Occupations Online Services System to create an account and submit your application.