Gov. Jared Polis announced Monday that the statewide stay-at-home order will be allowed to expire on April 26, while still encouraging people to stay home as much as possible. The first phase of opening up the state will ease some restrictions on businesses and retail outlets.
Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said he sees the end of the stay-at-home order as the first step in a long process to return to normal.
"I'm just like everyone else, I'm looking forward to a return to normalcy, but it won't be tomorrow, and it won't be next week, it's gonna be a little ways down the road," said Suthers.
Retail stores can offer curbside delivery starting April 27. Other non-essential businesses will be allowed to open statewide at the beginning of May with social distancing practices in place and reduced capacity workforce.
Suthers said after consulting with county health officials he's confident in allowing the stay-at-home order to expire. He said the county will continue to monitor coronavirus cases as the months continue.
"If things prove out over the next couple weeks, we don't see any major spikes, we can move on to another phase that may include some reduced capacity restaurant use, things like that," said Suthers.
He said his main concern now is how the city will recover from revenue losses, especially if summer tourism is affected by the pandemic.
