COVID-19 HHRC Update: Grand County Issues Public Health Order
March 31, 2020 5:00 pm
Information shared from Grand Country Public Health https://www.co.grand.co.us/COVID19
GRAND COUNTY, CO – Grand County Public Health has issued a public health order on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, prohibiting all Short-Term Lodging (STR) operations from operating and taking new reservations until April 30, 2020, designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Grand County; it also aligns with orders from the State of Colorado that were implemented on March 26, 2020. The Public Health Order will become effective Thursday, April 2, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. MST.
The Public Health Order includes the following:
- State and Federal Social Distancing Requirements, and Prohibitions and Restrictions on Certain Events, Gatherings, Business Operations, and Other Activities Remain in Full Force in Grand County.
- This Order prohibits all Short-Term Lodging (STR) operations from operating and taking new reservations from the date of this Order until April 30, 2020.
- The Order defines Short-Term Lodging as all lodging for a term of 30 days or less and includes, but is not limited to, campgrounds (whether private or government-operated), reserved camping sites, hotels, motels, bed and breakfast establishments, lodges, retreats and “short term rentals” (30 days or less). Consecutive 30-day lodging terms will be treated as Short-Term Lodging unless separated by a 15-day gap in occupancy.
- All short term lodging units must be vacated through April 30, 2020.
- STR owners are encouraged to temporarily suspend advertising for their rental units. Regardless, any STR owners who continue to advertise their rental units must include in any advertisement that the unit is not available for rent during the period of time this Order prohibiting Short-Term Lodging is in effect.
- Exceptions are defined in the Order, all of which are subject to approval of the Grand County Public Health Director.
- For the avoidance of doubt, dispersed camping on Federal public lands is permitted so long as campers are otherwise in compliance with this Order and practicing social distancing, and are in compliance with the rules and regulations of the applicable federal agency.
- Failure to comply with the Order is subject to a fine of up to five thousand (5,000) dollars, imprisonment in the county jail, and may lead to suspension or revocation of the property’s issued Short-Term Rental permit.
“This extreme measure is necessary to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our community based on the data we are seeing in Grand County,” Medical Director, Dr. Darcy Selenke stated.
Local authorities will work toward voluntary compliance or will utilize the proper means necessary to enforce this order. If you have questions regarding this Order please call the 24-Hour STR Hotline at 970-725-6022 or Grand County Short Term Rentals at 970-725-3737. To report violations of the Order or others, please visit CO.GRAND.CO.US/VIOLATION.
