How will Colorado’s revised mask mandate work?

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- 13 Investigates is looking into how the revised mask mandate that was put in place by Governor Jared Polis over the weekend will be enforced.

According to the Governor's office, the indoor mask order remains in effect for all schools statewide. This also includes extracurricular activities, childcare centers, indoor children's campus, public-facing government facilities and others.

In Colorado counties with more than 35 cases per 100,000 people, the indoor mask order applies to groups of ten or more unvaccinated people indoors and there remains no outdoor mask order, according to the governor's office.

However, the order also allows Coloradans to remove masks in public indoor spaces with more than ten people if at least 80% have proof of vaccination.

"Businesses or facilities should err on the side of assuming that people entering their indoor site are unvaccinated, unless they show proof of vaccination. While the majority of Coloradans are still unvaccinated, most indoor public settings like grocery stores, retail stores, and gyms will need to require mask-wearing," a CDPHE spokesperson said.

State health leaders say Coloradans can show the vaccination card from their vaccine appointment, a picture of the card of their cell phone or a copy of immunization records.

"Coloradans are encouraged to treat their vaccine cards as legitimate personal medical records. Misrepresenting yourself as vaccinated can put you and others around you at risk of contracting COVID-19," a CDPHE spokesperson said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation says that the unauthorized use of an official government agency's seal, including on fake vaccine cards, is a crime and those who do so can be prosecuted under federal law.

Here is CDPHE's guidance on those who do not need to wear masks:

• People who are 10 years old and younger.
• People who cannot medically tolerate a face covering.
• Children younger than 2 years old should NOT wear masks.

El Paso County has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the state, with under 50% of the population receiving one dose, according to a press release county health leaders sent last week. The county's goal is for 75% of the El Paso County population, but officials stress that to achieve that goal it is crucial that younger adults between the ages of 16 and 39 get vaccinated.