Contact: Brian Bovaird, Director of Emergency Management, 970-668-2999

SUMMIT COUNTY – Summit County has filed a local emergency disaster declaration with the State of Colorado to support its COVID-19 response. The declaration is an administrative tool that can help facilitate access to funding and other resources.

The declaration will be in effect until March 19, unless extended by an action of the Board of County Commissioners. The board will consider extending the time frame during its regular meeting on March 17, which begins at 1:30 p.m.  

Summit County officials say it was important to file the declaration, because the costs of responding to and recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will likely be far in excess of the county’s available resources.

Summit County’s first known case of COVID-19 was identified through state testing on Thursday, March 5. Since that time, additional cases have been identified in nearby counties in Colorado. Emergency declarations are a common response to COVID-19 arriving in a community. States, counties and cities across the country are using them to ensure appropriate resources are available for response and recovery.

People with questions about COVID-19 can call the CO HELP Hotline at 1-877-462-2911. Community updates are being shared at www.SummitCountyCO.gov/emergencyblog.

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