From Colorado Public Radio: Colorado Coronavirus Tips: Which Businesses Are Essential, Which Are Not (And How To Report It)
Who is a critical business?
1. Health Care Operations: including Hospitals; clinics; walk-in health facilities; pharmacies; nursing homes; dental care, including ambulatory providers; research and laboratory services; veterinary care and livestock services; medical supply and equipment retailers and manufacturers
2. Critical Infrastructure: including Utilities; road and railways; oil and gas extraction; water and wastewater; telecommunications and data; hotels
3. Food and Manufacturing: including Farming, livestock, food processing and manufacturing; chemicals; computers and computer components; sanitary products; telecommunications; household paper products
4. Critical Retail: including Grocery stores; farm and produce stands; gas stations and convenience stores; take-out or delivery restaurants and bars; marijuana dispensary (only for the sale of medical marijuana or curbside delivery*); firearms stores; hardware, farm supply, and building material stores
5. Critical Services: including Trash, compost, and recycling collection, processing and disposal; mail and shipping services; self-serve laundromats; building cleaning and maintenance; child care services; car rental, parts and repair (including dealerships with repair shops, but no retail sales); bike and bicycle repair shops; warehouse/distribution and fulfillment; funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemeteries; animal shelters, animal boarding services, animal rescues, zoological facilities, animal sanctuaries, and other related facilities
6. News Media, including: Newspapers; TV; radio; other media services
7. Financial Institutions: including Banks and credit institutions; insurance, payroll, and accounting services; services related to financial markets
8. Economically Disadvantaged Population Providers: including homeless shelters and congregate care facilities; food banks; human services providers whose function includes the direct care of patients in-state-licensed or to facilitate funded voluntary programs
9. Construction: including housing and housing for the low-income and vulnerable; skilled trades such as electricians and plumbers; other related firms and professionals for who provide services necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and critical operation of residences, and other essential services
10. Defense: including Security and intelligence-related operations supporting the State of Colorado, local government, the U.S. Government or a contractor for any of the foregoing; aerospace operations; military operations and personnel; defense suppliers
11. Municipal and General Services: including law enforcement; fire prevention and response; building code enforcement; emergency management and response; Judicial branch operations, including attorneys if necessary for ongoing trials and required court appearances, unless appearances can be done remotely; building cleaners, janitors and general maintenance; disinfection; snow removal
12. Businesses That Need To Maintain Minimum Basic Operations: There are some exceptions for businesses that need to maintain the value of their inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, or for related functions; or facilitate employees being able to continue to work remotely from home Businesses here must comply at all times with social distancing requirements
What if a business is open, but is not deemed critical under the order?
If you suspect a person or a business is violating the state’s stay-at-home mandate, you can report your concerns to:
- Your local public health agency
- Your local law enforcement agency
- The Attorney General’s office by emailing [email protected]
More on how Colorado’s executive orders, and how they are enforced, can be found on the state’s website.
