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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Visit https://www.fcgov.com/eps/coronavirus for current updates

Emergency Preparedness and Security

 Contact Information

Dept Head: Lt. Jim Byrne

 COVID-19 Updates

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

En Español

Hear more about the City’s response to COVID-19 with the Mayor, City Manager and Larimer County Public Health Director during a Telephone Town Hall recorded on March 26, 2020.

Please check this resource center often for links to other important information. If you have questions about the Stay-at-Home Order outlined below, please do not call the Sheriff's Office, police stations, or 911. Call Larimer County at 970-498-5500, text 970-999-1770 or use this form. They are responding as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience. 

Stay-at-Home At A Glance

Stay-at-Home At A Glance

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An overview of what you should and should not be doing during the Stay-at-Home Order, and as well as what is still open.

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If you have questions about the Stay-at-Home Order outlined below, please do not call the Sheriff's Office, police stations, or 911. Call Larimer County at 970-498-5500, text 970-999-1770 or use this form. They are responding as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience. 

The Larimer County Public Health Director issued a Stay-at-Home Order to all residents of Larimer County, in effect from 5 p.m. Thursday, March 26 through April 17, 2020.

While under the Order, community members should only leave their homes for food and to obtain or provide essential services. The list of essential services, businesses and infrastructure identified by Larimer County is available at www.larimer.org/health/stay-at-home-order.

If you must leave your home, and when using any shared or outdoor space, please be vigilant to maintain 6 feet of physical distance from others whenever possible.

By issuing the order now, the county hopes to significantly slow the spread of COVID-19 and decrease the overall length of restrictions in place for the community.

During a stay-at-home order you are able to:

  • Go to the pharmacy to get medication.
  • Get groceries for you and anyone that lives in your home.
  • Have a take-out meal from your favorite local restaurant.
  • Get food or supplies for your pet.
  • Take your dog around the block or go for a hike -- as long as you are keeping your distance from others.
  • Enjoy City and County open spaces
  • Take groceries and supplies to your at-risk parents, grandparents, or neighbors
  • Get margaritas-to-go from your favorite watering hole! (please enjoy responsibly from home)

Essential Activities and Business

The shelter-in-home order that Larimer County is adopting requires residents to remain in place at their homes EXCEPT for essential activities, including:

  • Tasks essential to maintain health and safety, such as obtaining medicine or seeing a doctor.
  • Getting necessary services or supplies for themselves or their family or household members, such as getting food and supplies, pet food and supplies necessary for staying at home.
  • Caring for a family member in another household.
  • Caring for the elderly, minors, dependents, people with disabilities or other vulnerable persons.

The shelter-in-home order also does not apply to those going to work in an essential business or essential government function, including:

  • Health care operations, including home health workers.
  • Pharmacies, health care supply stores and health care facilities.
  • Grocery stores, food banks, convenience stores and liquor stores.
  • Restaurants offering take-out and curbside services.
  • Businesses that provide necessities of life for economically disadvantaged individuals and shelter facilities.
  • Gas stations and auto repair facilities.
  • Essential Critical Infrastructure, including the construction of housing, operation of public transportation and utilities.
  • Banks
  • Garbage and recycling collection
  • Hardware stores, plumbers, electricians and other service providers necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences and other essential businesses.
  • Educational institutions, for the purposes of facilitating distance learning.
  • Laundromats and laundry service providers.
  • Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food and goods directly to residences
  • Childcare facilities providing services that enable essential employees to go to work.
  • Roles required for any essential business to "maintain basic operations," which include security, payroll and similar activities.

Non-Essential Businesses Required to Close

  • Dine-in restaurant services
  • Bars and nightclubs
  • Non-essential personal services such as hair and nail salons, massage and tattoo parlors, and spas
  • Entertainment venues
  • Gyms and fitness studios
  • Public events and gatherings
  • Convention Centers
  • Business not defined as essential

Full Stay-at-Home Order

All City facilities closed to the public on Wednesday, March 18. Due to the City’s ability to conduct most business transactions online or by phone, this step is intended to reduce risk to both community members and City staff. See below for details. 

The City remains committed to providing customer service during this time. Please visit www.fcgov.com/cityservices to find the department or program needed, as well as department phone and email contacts. Additional customer service resources will be available in the coming days to assist community members in doing business with the City of Fort Collins while this closure is in place.

  • Municipal Court: The Municipal Court is closed through April 17. Court staff will be available during business hours to respond to e-mails and phone calls, resolve or reschedule cases, and process payments. Arraignments, bond return hearings, and other morning hearings will be postponed to dates in April, with notices mailed or emailed when possible. Trial dates will be rescheduled individually and notices will be mailed or e-mailed. Details about rescheduled dates and other information can be found at fcgov.com/municipalcourt. 
  • Board & Commission Meetings: City boards and commissions have been asked to cancel all meetings through the end of April with exceptions for boards with quasi-judicial or essential business. However, those boards may still cancel meetings as workloads permit. For more information and for a full list of board and commission meeting cancellations, visit fcgov.com/cityclerk/boards. 
  • Utilities: Utilities customer service will still be open by email and phone at (970) 212-2900. Fort Collins Utilities will not disconnect service to customers until further notice for non-payment. If you are having difficulty paying your bills, contact Utilities to receive assistance or make a payment arrangement. Full details on Fort Collins' Utilities response is at fcgov.com/utilities/covid-19. 
  • Business Support: The Economic Health Office is managing resources and support for local businesses. For details, visit fcgov.com/business.  
  • City Council: The City strongly urges remote viewing and participation for City Council meetings, except for those persons for whom remote viewing is not a workable option. The City will offer a remote participation option for the March 31 meeting. 

City recreation and cultural facilities are closed until April 30, including all meetings, classes, performances and other events scheduled at those facilities. 

While parks, trails and natural areas remain open at this time, users should ensure physical distancing while in those spaces. To facilitate this, playgrounds, dog parks and park shelters are closed.

Facility closures include: 

  • Carnegie Center for Creativity 
  • Club Tico
  • EPIC
  • The Farm at Lee Martinez Park 
  • Foothills Activity Center 
  • Fort Collins Museum of Discovery 
  • Fort Collins Senior Center 
  • The Gardens on Spring Creek 
  • The Lincoln Center 
  • Mulberry Pool 
  • Northside Aztlan Community Center 
  • Pottery Studio 
  • Rolland Moore Racquet Complex 

Healthy Habits

As with other respiratory viruses, we recommend people protect themselves and others by practicing everyday actions: 

  • Clean hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub. 
  • Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve when coughing and sneezing. 
  • Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms. 
  • Stay home unless it is essential.
  • Get an annual flu vaccine if you have not had one.
  • Steps to Prevent Illness 

United Way of Larimer County Resources

United Way of Larimer County is regularly updating a list of COVID-19 resources for food, medical, mental health, unemployment and utilities/rent assistance needs along with support for:

  • Small businesses
  • Families
  • Seniors

Volunteering and Requesting Volunteer Assistance

The City is seeking healthy volunteers to assist with services to our vulnerable populations through the Adopt-A-Neighbor program. For more information on how to volunteer or sign up for volunteer assistance, visit fcgov.com/volunteer.

City COVID-19 Videos

  • Telephone Town Hall with City Manager, Mayor and Larimer County Public Health Director (recorded March 26, 2020)
  • COVID-19 Update with Jim Byrne (recorded March 24, 2020)
  • COVID-19 with Jim Byrne, Director of Emergency Preparedness and Security for the City (recorded March 18, 2020)
  • COVID-19 CityView (recorded March 18, 2020)

Additional FAQs and Resources 

Visit United Way of Larimer County

The Economic Health Office is managing resources and support for local businesses, nonprofits and employees including:

  • Loans and grants for impacted businesses
  • Financial, Insurance and Legal Considerations for businesses
  • Information about the state of emergency hourly sick paid leave
  • General employee resources
  • Utilities updates
  • Industry specific resources for Restaurant & Service Industry, Manufacturing and the Arts
  • How you can support your local businesses

The City is also receiving inquiries from community members and businesses around the Stay-at-Home Orders and how some of the critical and essential services categories are defined. In most instances where the State and County Orders differ, following the stricter Order is advised. For additional clarification:

  • The Larimer County EOC is answering questions and providing guidance on the orders. Businesses can reach them at 970-498-5500, text 970-999-1770 or submit a question here.
  • Larimer County is regularly updating its FAQs with industry-specific answers.

These orders may be amended, extended or discontinued at any time, so ongoing attention to the status of these restrictions and requirements is advised. City of Fort Collins staff is unable to provide interpretation of these exemptions.

If you have questions after visiting fcgov.com/business, please reach out to YnVzaW5lc3NAZmNnb3YuY29t.

More COVID-19 Resources

Do I need documentation to be out and about going to work or attending to essential errands?

No. We encourage everyone to avoid any unnecessary or unessential trips out of their homes but documentation is not necessary if you are going out.

What is the City Doing?

As of Wednesday, March 18, the City has closed public access to all City facilities. This is not a decision we have made lightly; however, considering the City's ability to conduct most business transactions online or by phone, we believe it is prudent to take this step to protect the health of our community members and our customer service staff. 

We will continue to support our community by conducting business online and over the phone. Visit fcgov.com/CityServices to search for the department or program you need, where you will also find email and telephone contacts if you need further assistance. If you cannot find the contact information you need, please call 970-221-6500 and someone will direct your call. Please Note: This number should be used for City business. Any questions about COVID-19 should be directed to the Larimer County call center at 970-498-5500.

Other specific City actions include:

  • Updating Continuity of Operations Plans for COVID-19 to protect the public and our employees while also continuing to provide services essential to residents.
  • Activating the city’s Emergency Management Team through remote methods to ensure close coordination of all city departments.
  • Disinfecting hard surfaces more frequently throughout facilities.
  • Providing additional personal protective equipment to police agents and putting in new safety practices. 
  • Seeking healthy volunteers to assist with services to our vulnerable populations.

All City recreation and cultural facilities are closed through April 30, including all meetings, classes, performances and other events scheduled at those facilities. The closures are part of the City’s ongoing efforts to protect the community and limit the potential spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).

These facility closures include:

  • Carnegie Center for Creativity
  • Club Tico
  • EPIC
  • The Farm at Lee Martinez Park
  • Foothills Activity Center
  • Fort Collins Senior Center
  • Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
  • The Gardens on Spring Creek
  • The Lincoln Center
  • Mulberry Pool
  • Northside Aztlan Community Center
  • Pottery Studio
  • Rolland Moore Racquet Complex

All City sponsored events of 250+ will remain suspended through April 30.

Participants and ticket holders will be contacted directly with additional information.

The health and safety of our patrons, clients, visitors, and employees is our top priority, and we are taking precautionary steps to maintain and monitor the cleanliness of buildings.

 

What business, nonprofit & employee guidance is available for planning & responding to Coronavirus?

The Economic Health Office is managing resources and support for local businesses, nonprofits, and employees. For details, visit fcgov.com/business.

 

Is the City canceling meetings, classes or events? 

The State and County Health departments provide guidance and recommendations for events and large gatherings. 

All City sponsored events of more than 250 people scheduled through April 30 are canceled. We will re-evaluate based on current recommendations. 

In addition, all City recreation and cultural facilities are closed through April 30, including all meetings, classes, performances or other events scheduled at those facilities.

This recommendation could change quickly, and we will make every effort to notify participants directly of related schedule changes or cancellations. Cancellations will also be shared online and on social media.

 

Will I get a refund if my class or event is canceled? 

At this time, to facilitate public health, we are offering temporary ticket exchanges and/or credits for anyone who cannot attend an event due to COVID-19 conditions or concern. Refunds will be offered for any event or class that is canceled due to COVID-19 conditions.

 

Will City Council meetings be canceled? 

City boards and commissions have canceled all meetings through the end of April with exceptions for boards with quasi-judicial or essential business. However, those boards may still cancel meetings as workloads permit. For more information and for a full list of board and commission meeting cancellations, visit fcgov.com/cityclerk/boards.

 

Is Transfort doing additional bus cleanings? 

Transfort buses are cleaned nightly. In addition to this regular cleaning, all our buses (including driver and passenger areas) are being disinfected using an electrostatic spray method. This technology creates a fine mist of the cleaning agent. The tiny droplets are positively charged, and therefore are attracted to every surface. 

 

Is the City collaborating with educational institutions (PSD, CSU, FRCC) and/or neighboring local governments? 

Yes, the City works closely with other public agencies and our regional partners. We continue to be in regular communication with one another as the situation evolves. 

 

How can I help?

The City is seeking healthy volunteers to assist with services to our vulnerable populations through the Adopt-A-Neighbor program. For more information, visit fcgov.com/volunteer.

What am I allowed to flush?

Only Flush the Three Ps: Pee, Poo and Toilet Paper

With concerns about COVID-19, there is increased use of disinfecting wipes and other products like tissues, paper towels or napkins.

Even if a product claims to be “flushable,” it can cause problems in our sanitary sewer system, potentially leading to a blocked sewer line, property damage and extra expenses for repairs.

Wipes, feminine hygiene products, condoms, paper towels, facial tissues, napkins, diapers, makeup remover pads and dental floss don’t break down. Always throw them away. 

Learn more at www.fcgov.com/sewer-blockages 

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Emergency Preparedness and Security