Colorado Limits Gatherings to 10

Page 6 Lost Creek Guide November 4, 2020

Colorado Limits Gatherings to 10 People From no More than Two Households as Coronavirus Spike Continues Previously, Coloradans were allowed to gather in groups of up to 25 people with no limit on how many households those people could be from. Jesse Paul The Colorado Sun The new statewide order on gatherings didn’t provide specifics on what penalties viola-

Colorado health officials on Friday issued an order limiting gatherings in the state to no tors could face, only that there could be sanctions.more than 10 people from two separate households in an effort to slow rising coronavirus “This order will be enforced by all appropriate legal means,” the order said. “Local aucases and hospitalizations. thorities are encouraged to determine the best course of action to encourage maximum

The order goes into effect immediately and lasts for at least 30 days. compliance. Failure to comply with this order could result in penalties, including jail time,

Previously, Coloradans were allowed to gather in groups of up to 25 people with no limit and fines, and may also be subject to discipline on a professional license based upon the on how many households those people could be from. applicable practice act.”

“We are asking all Coloradans to act with an abundance of caution to reverse these wor- MORE: Read the order. rying trends,” Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said in a written statement. “Right now, the virus is spread- Counties that are in Gov. Jared Polis’ “protect our neighbors” status are automatically ing when people from multiple households attend gatherings. We need to keep gatherings exempt. Those include Gunnison, Gipin, Rio Blanco and Moffat counties. (Mesa County’s smaller and with people from fewer households — we are asking everyone to ‘shrink their “protect-our-neighbors” status was downgraded this week because of its rising caseload.)bubble’ to reduce the spread.” Ryan asked Coloradans to “take every effort to reduce con- Colorado’s 60 other counties are in the “safer-at-home” phase and their residents must tact with members of other households.” abide by the gathering limitations.

“If you can work remotely, please do so to reduce contact with other individuals,” she There are a host of exemptions for athletics, restaurants, retail, manufacturing, health said. “Taking action now can prevent your loved ones from getting sick, and help us save care settings, offices, critical businesses and government entities, schools, universities and lives and avoid stricter public health orders in the future.” places of worship.

MORE: Colorado has had coronavirus spikes before. Here’s why the current one could The new gatherings order essentially only applies to social gatherings outside of a busibe different. ness or office setting.

There is no limit on gatherings of members of the same household. But people can for- The order was issued days after Polis sidestepped questions about statewide action he get about gathering in parks, backyards or indoors with a few other couples to socialize — may take to limit spread of COVID-19, instead calling for targeted restrictions.at least for the time being. Same thing goes for multiple families that want to get together, “It’s acting to contain the virus where it is at a moment in time,” he said Tuesday in eneven though there are more than 10 people gathering. dorsing local approaches to stopping the disease’s spread. “… There’s different measures

Colorado’s daily case numbers are higher than they’ve ever been and the state’s seven- at different times in different places depending on the conditions.”day test positivity rate, at 5.8%, is at its highest level since June. Hospitalizations, mean- The new order from CDPHE was unveiled in a news release. Polis’ regular Friday corowhile, are at their highest level since May 21. navirus briefing was moved because of wildfires impacting the state.

Dr. Rachel Herlihy, Colorado’s top epidemiologist, has warned that if the trend is not reversed, the state’s intensive-care hospital bed capacity could be surpassed in the coming months. Colorado Proud Recipe of the Month

Denver, as well as Adams and Arapahoe counties, last week enacted new restric- Broomfield, Colo. - Butternut squash takes the main stage for November’s Colorado tions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19. The three counties have experienced Proud Recipe of the month! Grown throughout Northern Colorado, the butternut has a among the highest spike in the disease. beige color and is shaped somewhat like an oblong bell or vase with a fine textured, orange

Denver now requires mask-wearing outdoors, while Adams County ordered alcohol flesh with a sweet, nutty flavor. Typically, the more orange the squash, the riper it is, sales at restaurants and bars to end at 10 p.m. and Arapahoe County ordered restaurants meaning it will likely be drier and a little sweeter. and bars to stop selling alcohol at 11 p.m. Butternut squash is high in vitamins A, B6, and C, folate, magnesium, fiber, riboflavin, phosphorus, and potassium. That’s a serious nutritional power-packed veggie. According to the Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, uncooked winter squash keeps very well for weeks, and even months, in the refrigerator. Cooked winter squash freezes well and is convenient to use in recipes throughout the year. Find Colorado winter squash at your local grocery store, farmers’ market or at restaurants across the state. Chef Jason Morse of 5280 Culinary provides a savory and sweet take on butternut squash for Colorado Proud’s November recipe of the month. “There is absolutely nothing like the smell of Thanksgiving and these tasty glazed squash nuggets are like one huge holiday celebration topped with marshmallows,” said Chef Jason.

Candied Butternut Squash

Chef Jason K. Morse, C.E.C., 5280 Culinary, LLC and Ace Hardware Grill Expert Serves 6-8 People Prep time: 15 Minutes | Cook time: 30-45 minutes

Prep Directions:

Follow all prep instructions in the prep notes and store all prepped food in containers until needed

Cooking Directions:

Turn on the oven to 400˚. While the oven is heating, add a 10” cast iron skillet.

In a large mixing bowl add the large diced butternut squash pieces. Add the oil, salt, pepper and BBQ rub and mix well.

Once the oven is hot, carefully add the seasoned squash to the skillet and cook at 400˚ for 15-20 minutes or until pieces are tender. Stir if needed to help caramelize all sides of the pieces.

While the squash is cooking mix together the butter, syrup, vanilla, sugar, cinnamon and allspice.

Once the pieces are tender, carefully pour the butter mixture over them and mix well.

Cook at 400˚ for another 10 minutes to reduce the sauce.

Carefully top the butternut pieces with the marshmallows and cook for 5-7 minutes or until the marshmallows are cooked to your preference.

Using heat resistant gloves or hot pads, carefully remove the cast iron skillet. Allow to cool for 3 minutes.

Serve and devour!

Enjoy with a glass of Colorado wine such as Carlson Vineyards NSFW White Blend from Carlson Vineyards in Palisade, CO.

Visit www.coloradoproud.org for a complete list of recipes. ###

Colorado Proud is a program of the Colorado Department of Agriculture that promotes food and agricultural products grown, raised or made in Colorado. The program’s 2,900 members include growers, processors, schools, restaurants and retailers statewide. coloradoproud.org