Boulder County to end mask order for indoor, school and child care settings

Feb. 15—Differing from recommendations provided by health officials, the Boulder County Board of Health on Monday unanimously agreed to lift its indoor mask order starting Friday for indoor public settings, including schools and child care settings.

"I think two weeks is too long to expect people to mask in schools," said board member Brooke Harrison. "I would like to see them go away at the same time."

About 700 tuned in to the meeting Monday night and 30 people signed up to speak during public comment.

Many residents spoke out against forcing young kids to wear masks, saying the mandate has been detrimental to children's mental health and ability to learn.

Boulder resident Heather Nichols said one of her children experienced a mental health crisis because of the COVID-19 pandemic and is now in a residential treatment facility.

"The mental health strain is so huge," she said. "This will go on for decades. It is time for all of us to return to normal."

Another resident, Faune Van Pelt, said wearing a mask has been difficult for her 3-year-old who is unable to keep it clean.

"Things that used to bring him joy, he no longer wants to do because he constantly feels like he is being hounded to wear a mask," she said.

Board President Gregg Thomas said even though everyone wants the COVID-19 pandemic to end, the virus does not adhere to people's desires. A mask mandate may be reinstated if COVID-19 cases surge again.

"We put those public health orders in place (in September) from the delta variant," he said. "We had no knowledge of the omicron variant."

Before the board's decision on Monday, officials with Boulder County Public Health gave their recommendation to lift the county's indoor mask mandate Friday. However, they advised officials to rescind the requirement for masks and isolation and quarantine guidelines at schools on Feb. 25. They also recommended the county maintain its mask order for kids ages 5 and younger in day care and early childhood education centers until the next board meeting.

Boulder County Public Health Deputy Director Lexi Nolen said when health officials compared COVID-19 cases to hospitalizations, they found cases during the omicron variant wave surged higher than during the delta variant wave, while hospitalizations remained lower during the omicron wave.

COVID-19 cases in the county are falling but are still above 2021 levels, keeping Boulder County's transmission rate high, Nolen added.

She said when the mask order is lifted, Boulder County will continue to see high death rates for a few weeks and will continue to see seasonal COVID-19 case surges.

"In terms of schools, we may see a few more increases and outbreaks until the cases settle out, but we don't expect that to continue," she added.

Boulder Valley Superintendent Rob Anderson hasn't publicly taken a stance on the current mask mandate, instead saying the district will follow the public health guidance.

St. Vrain Valley Superintendent Don Haddad said at last week's school board meeting that he supports the county dropping the masking requirement, adding the district is required to follow whatever decision Boulder County makes.

"I see the numbers at such a low level right now that I think it's important for them to take a hard look at it," he said.

Surrounding school districts have all dropped their mask requirements, including Adams 12 and Thompson Valley. Jeffco Public Schools ended its mask requirement a week earlier than originally planned after a vote by the Jefferson County's Board of Health. Denver Public Schools plans to drop its indoor mask requirement Feb. 28.

Broomfield also has ended its mask mandate, but Boulder Valley officials have said they will continue to operate under one set of health precautions and so didn't change the requirements at the district's six schools located in Broomfield.

In St. Vrain Valley, which is following Boulder County's public health order for the entire school district whether schools are located in Boulder or Weld counties, a district charter school located on the Weld side of Erie decided last week to no longer require masks. Weld County doesn't have an indoor mask mandate.

Reporter Amy Bounds contributed to this story.