Polis Releases Rural Colorado from Most Mask Restrictions

-ObituariesBEN BRATRSOVSKY

By Chuck Murphy, CPR News

Nearly half of Colorado’s counties will be freed from a comprehensive statewide mask mandate Saturday, though masks will still be required for everyone in schools, child care settings, public areas of government buildings and certain other indoor settings. Gov. Jared Polis announced the changes Friday afternoon. In a release accompanying the order, he noted that as more people are protected by vaccine, life can return to normal. But he still encouraged mask-wearing in indoor settings, even in places that will soon be released from mandatory compliance. “We are making incredible progress with getting Hart Van Denburg/CPR NewsA sign at the host stand by the door of vaccines into arms and Steamworks Brewing in Durango reminds patrons of face mask and protecting our most vulsocial distancing requirements in place in the restaurant, Thursday, nerable, but until everyone Feb. 25, 2021. can get the vaccine and our COVID cases are reduced, taking precautions to prevent a surge in cases and further spread of the disease is the smart thing to do and the right thing to do and helps keep everything open,” Polis said in a statement. “Every community has been impacted differently by this pandemic, and we want to ensure this order is reflective of that. We’re almost there, Colorado, but we need to keep this up just a little bit longer.”

Take Care, Durango Tourists. Wear A Mask Or You’ll Be Talkin’ To The COVID Cowboy

The new order releases counties now at level “green” on the state’s color-coded COVID-19 restrictions dial from the statewide mask mandate. That amounts to 31 rural counties that are home to just fewer than 240,000 people. Those counties will still have the authority to set their own mask restrictions should they choose.

For the rest of the state, masks must continue to be worn when in public indoor spaces with 10 or more people who have not been vaccinated, or whose vaccination status is unknown, have gathered.

Ready Or Not, Colorado’s COVID-19 Dial 3.0 Is Here (And We Might Not Be Ready)

And even for counties at the green level, masks will still be required in schools, child care centers, “indoor children’s camps, public-facing state government facilities, congregate care facilities, prisons, jails, emergency medical and other healthcare settings, and personal services and limited health care settings,” according to the order.

“We fought hard to get Colorado kids back in school successfully, and we’re not going to jeopardize Colorado’s return of in-person learning by changing the mask policy this school year,” Polis said.

Counties now at level green include most of those on the Eastern Plains, in the San Luis Valley and in the northwest corner of the state. But counties along the entire Front Range, including metro Denver, are classified as either blue or yellow so residents there will need to continue to adhere to mask wearing indoor, including at restaurants or shops, where 10 or more people are present.

The new order will take effect Saturday, and last 30 days before it could be modified again.

Auto, Home, Farm & Commercial

Agents Mark Kinnear Devon Kitchell 303-732-9700

Ben Bratrsovsky, 57, of Wiggins, passed away Friday, March 19, 2021. He was born March 11, 1964, in Englewood, CO to Bernard & Barbara Bratrsovsky. The Bratrsovsky family moved to the Wiggins community in 1973. Ben graduated from Wiggins High School in 1982. He worked on the family farm and also in the oil & gas exploration industry. He was a member of St. Isidore the farmer Catholic Church in Watkins, CO. He enjoyed stock car racing and playing golf. His favorite past time was spent with his family. Survivors include his Mother, Barbara Chilcote of Wiggins,; 3 brothers, Stephen, Daniel and Michael all of Wiggins; 3 sisters, Theresa (Rick) DeLise of Arvada, CO; Annette (Ron) Cortilius of Northglenn, CO; and Marilyn Arfsten of Brush; 2 nephews, and 3 nieces. He was preceded in death by his Father and 3 nephews, David Hayes, Matthew Hayes and Chris-

topher Hayes.

Funeral mass will be recited at the St. Isidore the Farmer Catholic Church, 32100 E Colfax Service Road in Watkins, CO at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in the St. Isidore Cemetery. Rosary service will begin at 10:30 AM at St. Isidore Catholic Church. Visitation will be at the Heer Mortuary Chapel in Fort Morgan on Sunday, March 28, 2021, from 3 – 5 PM.

RICHARD LEE POWERS

Richard Lee Powers (Red) was called to his eternal home after passing peacefully from his residence in Hudson, Colorado on March 23, 2021. Richard was born on September 10, 1935 in Gary Indiana to Donald and Florence Powers. Richard was the third child born of four and was preceded in death by his parents, sister, and older brother. Richard served in the 82nd Airborne as a Paratrooper in the US Army before meeting the love of his life, Elaine (Murray), in Crown Point, Indiana. Richard and Elaine got married on February 19, 1957. Richard worked as an IronWorker while they resided in Indiana. After moving to Colorado in May of 1962 they purchased property and built the home they raised their family in. Richard’s careers consisted of welding, printing, and was a USDA inspector. After retiring Richard and Elaine gained an interest in Game Birds. They started R&E Game Farm and raised wild game birds consisting of pheasants, chukars, quail, and an assortment of anything with feathers. Richard loved being surrounded by his family and friends. Over the years, many great family traditions were established including hosting family holidays and events. You could always count on Richard spending time and teaching his children and grandchildren, how to care for animals, about their 4-H projects, and passing along his skills and knowledge. Richard enjoyed racing stock cars in his younger days then watching NASCAR in his later days along with other sporting events. Richard shared his knowledge and passion about hunting with his boys. Richard was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather who will be dearly missed but always remembered and loved.

Richard is survived by his wife Elaine Powers, younger brother Kenneth Powers; His two sons Robert (Brenda) Powers and David (Wendy) Powers and his daughter Donna (Lenny) Swarts; His 11 grandchildren Billi, Brandi, Nick, Mandy, Kristina, Kimberly, Samantha, Tiffany, Briana,Bryan and Jodi; His 22 Great Grandchildren and 2 Great Great Grandchildren.

Aims Plans to be Fully Open Again for Fall Semester

GREELEY, CO – March 26, 2021 – Aims Community College is moving forward with plans to offer in-person classes along with remote, online and hybrid learning options when fall classes begin August 23.

“We are finally beginning to see our way out of the tumult brought on by the pandemic,” said Dr. Leah Bornstein, Aims Community College president and CEO. “Given the current downward trends in COVID-19 cases and the continued rollout of vaccines, we are optimistic we will be able to open fully this fall.”

Because of the uncertainty surrounding the nature of the pandemic, the college will continue to finalize plans and use information provided by the CDC, federal, state and local governments, and other health authorities.

Throughout this unique year of learning, many Aims students have found they learn better in-person. Others have discovered that online learning serves them best. Some students prefer a blend of both. Aims plans to offer all those learning options while also fully re-opening student services and events.

“I’m thrilled at the prospect of opening fully, celebrating our return, and creating our next reality together,” Bornstein said. “This is a positive step forward for all of us.”

20 S. Main Keenesburg, CO

About Aims Community College

Aims Community College is one of the most progressive two-year colleges in Colorado. Founded more than 50 years ago in Greeley, Aims has since established locations in Fort Lupton, Loveland and Windsor. Curriculum now includes 4,000 day, evening, weekend and online courses annually in more than 200 degree and certificate programs. Aims Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Aims Community College is an Equal Employment

CDOT campaign highlights public reactions during Distracted Driving Awareness Month

STATEWIDE — As more people get vaccinated for COVID-19 in Colorado, more people are driving. Unfortunately, that means the return of more distracted drivers on our roadways. Distracted driving is one of the biggest threats to safety on Colorado’s roads, causing over 15,000 crashes each year in the state. That is an average of 42 crashes every day.

In response, CDOT is joining a nationwide effort in April during Distracted Driving Awareness Month. During the month, CDOT’s Distraction Reactions campaign will be on display at 48 coffee shops throughout the state with coffee cups warning about the dangers of distracted driving. The campaign asks drivers to consider: if you saw how others reacted to your distracted driving, would that change your behavior? The goal of this campaign is to focus on the social stigma of distracted driving and push drivers to reconsider their behavior behind the wheel. CDOT will also take to social media with its distracted driving safety messages. “Distracted drivers do not often see the risk of their behavior until it’s too late,” said Darrell Lingk, Highway Safety Office director at CDOT. “While the risks associated with distracted driving are well documented, studies show the majority of Coloradans still choose to engage in this behavior, which presents a danger to everyone who uses our roads.”

According to data from CDOT, crashes involving distracted drivers have been on the rise,

increasing from 13,332 in 2012 to 15,143 in 2019. Of those crashes in 2019, 4,361 people were injured and 39 people lost their lives. Despite the rising occurrence of crashes, a 2020 survey of Colorado drivers shows that 92% admitted to driving distracted weekly, an increase from the 90% who reported driving distracted in 2019.

“When you reach for a phone or turn your attention away from the road, you aren’t just risking your own safety, you are risking the safety of everyone on the road with you,” said Sam Cole, Traffic Safety Manager at CDOT. “We want to continue to remind motorists that they are putting more than just their own lives at risk when they drive distracted.”

During April CDOT is partnering with victims and their families who have been directly impacted by distracted drivers. In the next couple weeks CDOT will unveil a display that allows the public to hear their stories of grief. Standing behind the wheel of a fabricated dashboard of a car, individuals will look through the windshield and see what they should be focused on while driving: real people, with real lives. A screen behind the windshield will highlight the stories of four distracted driving victims, each of whom has been personally impacted by the actions of a distracted driver.

For more information about distracted driving in Colorado and to learn more about the Distraction Reactions campaign, visit: distracted.codot.gov.

About CDOT

CDOT’s Whole System-Whole Safety program has one simple mission — to get everyone home safely. Our approximately 3,000 employees work tirelessly to reduce the rate and severity of crashes and improve the safety of all modes of transportation. The department manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway, more than 3,000 bridges and 35 mountain passes. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also operates Bustang, the state-owned interregional express bus service. Gov. Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.

L to R:Janet Westover, Mike Kammerer, Jim Johnson, Kenny Koch, Sheryl Johnson, Taylor Sully, Lance Sully, A Volunteer, Pastor Perry Bell, Michelle Younger, Howard Younger, Katherine Younger, Leonard Younger Destination Ministries Emergency Food Pantry Food Distribution Event in Hudson, Colorado

Under a beautiful blue sky with wispy white clouds, Destination Ministries Emergency Food Pantry in Hudson, held a food distribution day at their Hudson location: 617 Birch Street on Sunday, March 28th from 1:00 to 3:30 pm.

They had over 130 bags of food filled with items such as canned vegetables and fruit, macaroni, and cheese, SpaghettiOs, pasta and spaghetti sauce, canned chicken and tuna, crackers, cookies, and many other assorted items. They laid them all out on four long tables and prepared to hand it out free to anyone who would come by.

After reading about it in the Lost Creek Guide (thank you Bob Grand) or seeing a few fliers that were placed around the communities of Hudson, Keenesburg, Fort Lupton, Lochbuie and even Roggen and Wiggins, they were able to serve approximately 42 different families on this beautiful sunny afternoon. At times, as the need arose, they were outing two to five bags of food in each person’s car who drove up!

The Destination Ministries Emergency Food Pantry is an agency food pantry of the weld Food Bank Greeley, and therefore all food handled id from the Weld Food Bank. It is a ministry of Destination Church and Ministries, funded solely by the Church and staffed by volunteers from the Church. They are proud and honored to be open seven days per week, 365 days a year, from 5 – 9 pm and are the only evening food pantry in the entire South Weld area.

It, indeed, was a beautiful day, and a beautiful example of people reaching out to help one another … a good thing for all of us to start doing!