Gov. Polis Provides Update on COVID-19

PUEBLO - Governor Polis discussed the Polis Administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and visited local organizations supported by the COVID-19 Relief Fund today in Colorado Springs and Pueblo. 

“It’s always terrific being in Southern Colorado and connecting with our communities and people most impacted by this devastating pandemic. Southern Colorado is a key piece of our state’s response and recovery efforts and its health is intertwined with our state’s health,” said Governor Jared Polis. “It was great to visit the new free, quick, and easy testing site at the Citadel in Colorado Springs and meet with educators to discuss their efforts to ensure every kid receives an education in a safe environment. I also enjoyed speaking with local non-profits who were helped by our COVID-19 Relief Fund in Pueblo and members of the small business community about ways to ensure we bounce back stronger than before.”

This morning, Gov. Polis was joined by Colorado Springs State Reps. Tony Exum and Marc Snyder and Sen. Pete Lee at the COVID-19 free, quick and easycommunity testing site the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment launched with El Paso County Public Health and the Colorado Springs community at The Citadel. 

Gov. Polis then visited Patriot Elementary School at Fort Carson and met with the superintendent, teachers, and faculty. The State is providing every school district with medical-grade KN95 masks for staff who work directly with students. This is part of the Polis Administration’s broader effort to provide schools with the resources they need to reopen safely. The State has supplied 20,000 KN95 facemasks to school districts in Pueblo and 17,150 to districts in El Paso County.

Colorado businesses are harnessing innovation and technology to adapt to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and Gov. Polis met with ActivArmor today in Pueblo. Before the pandemic, the company provided hygienic, waterproof alternatives to traditional casting and splinting. But since the pandemic, they have adapted their business to provide N95 masks that are washable and transparent, which improves communication between health care providers and patients.

This afternoon, Gov. Polis visited two recipients of the COVID-19 Relief Fund,  the YWCA Pueblo with State Rep. Bri Buentello and the East Side Child Care Center with Senate President Leroy Garcia. To date, the COVID-19 Relief Fund has distributed nearly $22 million across Colorado, and in Pueblo and El Paso counties nearly $1 million has been distributed to 40 organizations. 

Governor Polis was joined by Senate President Leroy Garcia,  State Rep. Daneya Esgar, DOLA Executive Director Rick Garcia, and OEDIT Executive Director Betsy Markey at today’s COVID-19 briefing.

“This year has been historic in more ways than one, but despite undeniable difficulties, I am proud of the way we have come together on behalf of Coloradans. At the legislature, we have been able to help small businesses and hardworking Coloradans get back on their feet by passing meaningful legislation,” Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo. “In Colorado, we have a long history of frontier-style fortitude – persevering with teamwork when challenges arise. And that’s exactly what we’re doing in response to this pandemic – working as a unit to build back stronger.”

OEDIT Executive Director Betsy Markey thanked members of the legislature for their efforts on Energize Colorado which launched this week. 

“Every level of Colorado’s government is working together to figure out how to make things better for all Coloradans during this challenging year. We’ve made progress but we have to remain vigilant and look out for each other in order to ensure our small businesses and workers can thrive and live in a safe manner,” said Daneya Esgar Chair of the Joint Budget Committee, D-Pueblo. “I thank Governor Polis for your efforts to help get Coloradans back on their feet and for joining us today in Pueblo.”  

Governor Polis also visited Crites Produce today with State Reps. Bri Buentello and Rep. Esgar and later donned a Pueblo chile mask at today’s briefing. Pueblo chiles are the best chiles and play an integral role in the agricultural economy of Colorado in addition to being a key component of the state’s culture, heritage, and history.  

Colorado has been able to keep our historic State Fair open thanks to the herculean efforts of the State Fair staff and Governor Polis visited the State Fair this afternoon and attended a livestock auction.  Through creative online programming, like the Day Camp for Kids, and modified events like the Drive-Thru Food Fair, they have truly reimagined the Colorado State Fair in a way that maintains iconic traditions, while keeping Coloradans safe.

Watch today's news conference.

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