Tattoo parlors re-open with easy transition in Colorado’s “safer-at-home” phase

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Tattoo parlor owners say they are transitioning easily as they re-open during Colorado's "safer-at-home" phase.

Gary Wells, the co-owner of Steadfast Tattoo Studio, says several of the new guidelines are similar to procedures they already followed.

“This is a little bit different with it being airborne," he said. "But it’s kind of second nature to us to think in terms of cleaning, safe, distance and procedures.”

Tattoo artists are already required to wear gloves and properly disinfect needles and surfaces, Wells said.

He's also placed a sign that greets customers in his studio. It outlines several guidelines and asks people to wear masks and not bring in guests during a tattoo session.

Although he lost some money during the closure, his phone had been ringing constantly with people asking to book an appointment.

For David Brown, the owner of Fallen Heroes Tattoo, the re-opening was a good decision because many tattoo parlors already follow public health guidelines.

"So the majority of the stuff people are learning today, we’ve done since day one," he said.

Although the executive order did not exhaustively explain how businesses should re-open, Brown says he's been trying to follow the CDC's advice closely. Before customers come into the building, their temperatures are checked and they go through a questionnaire asking about symptoms and travel in the last two weeks.

Brown says he's happy to be working again and to have his artists join him.

“We typically spend more time together than we do apart so it’s like coming back to family really," Brown said. "So that’s been incredible.”

While business seems to be going well for his shop, the long-term re-opening of his parlor will also depend on customers following state guidelines as well. He says he would understand if another surge in COVID-19 cases brings another lockdown.

“We know this is a learning process for all of us," Wells said. "No one has the answers. We’re figuring them out together.”