Colorado Health Dept. warns Teller County about uptick in COVID-19 cases

TELLER COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Teller County Commissioners are pleading their case to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment after they were warned about increasing cases of COVID-19.

On Friday, the newest numbers from CDPHE reported 123 total cases in Teller County since the pandemic began back in March.

On July 24th, CDPHE sent a letter to commissioners saying, "We are seeing an uptick in cases in Colorado in general and Teller County in particular and wanted to call it to your attention."

Teller County sent their response this week say the primary cause for the increase in cases is "the outbreak at Andrew Womack Ministries, Inc. which accounts for 24% of our total case county." The conference commissioners are referring to was held over the 4th July weekend and allowed more than 500 people in an auditorium.

Since the outbreak, commissioners say they're working with the organization.

"The increase we had was traced back to a single event but in talking to that business, they have rethought their processes and they're back to virtual meetings for example," Norm Steen, Teller County Commissioner explained.

Vendors at the weekly farmers market and art and crafts fair in Woodland Park say if variances are rolled back, it could be detrimental to their business and the community's economy.

"There are so many small businesses here that depend on tourism and locals to keep them going," Teri Baldwin, owner of Rocky Mountain Magic said.

She explained if another variance forced businesses to close again, "we'd be shut down, which means no income or extra income for some people."

CDPHE hasn't responded to the county's letter, but Steen encouraged the community to continue following rules amid the pandemic to prevent cases from rising.