El Paso County Commissioners approve plans to reopen Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, places of worship

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Board of Commissioners in El Paso County have approved a variance that would allow places of worship in the county and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to reopen under certain guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the state is still working on a plan to reopen churches, El Paso County approved a variance that would let them open with a limit of 25% capacity and mandatory social distancing, along with required masks for staff.

The commissioners voted for approval during a meeting Thursday.

"We're encouraging places of worship to make separate facilities within the main facility for for vulnerable individuals," said an attorney working with El Paso County Public Health.

As for the second variance, the goal is to have Cheyenne Mountain Zoo opened by June 1 with a 25% limit on capacity, equaling about 4,000-4,500 guests. Staff will also wear masks, and visitors will be encouraged to wear masks.

"The size of our campus would allow us to have a 6 x 6 spacing around guests and as you know we're not required to do that, family groups can be together. I do believe with all the mental health stress and all the physical stress that is going on today it's time the City of Colorado Springs get the zoo in the fight to give people a place to be able to distance themselves and get that sort of exercise and and mental health relief," said Bob Chastain, CEO and President of Cheynne Mountain Zoo.

The state health department and governor's office will have to approve the variance plan before it can take effect, but a similar variance to reopen restaurants in El Paso County was approved.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.