Events Information & Resources (EIR)

7 Commitments of Containment

  1. Physical Distancing
    • Starts at 6 feet and increases as activity level and group size increases.
  2. Face Covering
    • Required in public and indoors; outdoors when physical distancing cannot be achieved.
  3. Screening, Isolation, or Quarantine
    • Screen staff prior to event; screen vendors, volunteers, and attendees as needed. Follow the Do Your Part to Slow the Spread protocols to stay safe and isolate/quarantine (or as directed by a public health nurse)
  4. Enhanced Hand Hygiene
    • Handwashing is more important than ever to reduce COVID-19 transmission and is the most effective way to remove germs and soils from one's hands, hand sanitizer can be used when handwashing is not possible.
  5. Enhanced Cleaning/Disinfection
    • Frequent cleaning and disinfection of high touch surface areas (e.g. high-use objects and surfaces) is critical to reduce COVID-19 transmission.
  6. Protecting the At-Risk Community
    • Providing alternate or remote access, taking extra precautions, and applying all Commitments to Containment to your event will help protect at-risk populations in our community.
  7. Enhanced Ventilation
    • Use the Gunnison County's Interim Ventilation Guidance to apply ventilation improvements in your home and other facilities.

Physical Distancing Parameters

  •  6' (feet) for:
    • Standard social and physical distancing practices
    • The minimal amount of distancing for performances that do not involve forced exhalation by the performer
  •  8' - 10' (feet) for:
    • Tables and Booths (so to allow at least 6' distancing between persons at the tables/booths)
  • 10' (feet) for:
    • Family or household groups
    • Breathing heavily during physical activity/exertion
  • 12' (feet) for:
    • Performers or persons that are giving speeches, singing, playing instruments that use forced exhalation, or doing activities that cause forced exhalation
  • 16' (feet) for:
    • The lane between vendor booths/tables, to create a wide enough lane for attendees to walk through and allow physical distancing between them

Physically Distanced Dancing:

  • Recently updated guidance from the State has indicated that dancing can be offered, but only when done in a COVID-19 safe manner;
    • No more than six persons dancing together from the same party
    • Parties must remain six feet from other persons and all must follow current mask mandates
    • For wedding services, the following dances are expressly allowed:
      • The couple's first dance
      • The parent dances

Physically Distanced Spectating:

  • Spectators are to be separated by at least 12' (feet) from athletes/participants, ideally up to 25' (feet)
  • Spectators are to maintain 6' (feet) distancing from those not from their household
    • If Yelling or Cheering, a 10' (foot) minimum should be considered
  • If there are multiple games happening at different sections of the field, spectators must not mingle or mix with each other
  • Masks are still required, even if spectating outdoors
  • Eating/Drinking with masks off while spectating is not permitted at this time
    • Temporary removal for drinking is permitted

Social Distancing Calculator Usage:

  • If the event is a seated only event (or has a seated portion/area), with minimal attendee movement (using restroom facilities or exiting to get/re-entry from concessions/food/drink for example), then the result from the calculation can be multiplied by 2 to account for the fact that a 6' (foot) grid will be appropriate for an event where there is minimal movement or activity from the attendees to help determine how many attendees can safely occupy the event space
  • If the event involves attendees moving dynamically or a combination of seated and dynamic, then the calculator should be used as directed for the dynamic event areas and the result not modified in order to help determine how many attendees can safely occupy the event area

Restroom Reduction Checklist

  • To promote maximum ventilation:
    1. Keep doors open between use if the restroom door or Porto-Potty opens to an outdoor area.
      • If the door can be open for the entire event, that is preferred.
      • Do not keep a restroom door open if the door opens to an enclosed, indoor space to contain aerosolized COVID-19 particles from wafting into another indoor space.
    2. Open screened windows.
    3. Operate a ventilation fan, if safe.
  • Maintain physical distance between guests/attendees of 6 feet, close to access to stalls to maintain distance.
  • If applicable, close toilet seat lids before flushing to reduce particulate matter becoming aerosolized,
  • Is applicable, automated hand dryers are not to be used; provide paper towels or single-use supplies to dry hands throughout an event.
  • Enhanced cleaning and disinfection to occur at least once every hour or between different groups.

Prohibited Activities

  • Spectators (unless approved by HHS Events Review Team, Public Health Director, and law enforcement)
  • Photo booths that lack COVID-19 prevention protocols
  • Dancing/Dance floors if physical distancing parameters cannot be accomplished
  • Games of any type that lack COVID-19 prevention protocols
  • Self-service of food
  • Self-service of drinks/beverages
  • Self-service of utensils
  • Self-service of dining ware
  • Alcohol without food service

Increased Risk of COVID-19 Transmission at Events

  • Inability to physically distance
  • Anytime masks are removed (e.g. eating or drinking)
  • Increased duration of event will increase potential exposure
  • Lines or crowds
  • Unidentified flow or directionality

  • Mingling of households
  • Increased attendance
  • Indoor spaces where ventilation cannot be enhanced
  • Enabling crowding or close-contact between attendees to occur

High Touch Surface Areas and Cleaning/Disinfectant Supplies (*)

  • All door handles/push bars/ADA Access Buttons
  • All shared equipment door handles
  • All sink faucet handles
  • All railings
  • All tables and/or countertops
  • Soap dispenser buttons/handles
  • Sink countertops
  • Paper towel dispenser handles
  • Point of Sale area (countertops, payment devices, pens, stylus, etc.)
  • Telephone keypads
  • Touch screens
  • Cabinet door handles
  • Chairs
  • Light switches
  • Breakroom/Staff Areas
(* Not an exhaustive list)


Click here for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

Examples of Physical Markers (*)

Physical markers are intended to help create boundaries and demonstrate the event flow for attendees. Examples include:

  • Cones
  • Caution tape
  • Stanchions
  • Foot queues
  • Signage
  • Tape used on floor
  • Bog potted plants
  • Barrels
  • Extra Tables
(* Not an exhaustive list)

Colorado Department of Health & Human Services (CDPHE) Screening Tools

COVID-19 screening, i.e. temperature and symptom check, is an important and effective way to monitor symptoms and help prevent potential COVID-19 transmission. Below are tools and information to help with screenings at events. Adding a question about vaccination status has recently been advised to collect during screening as well. Click the below links for each tool

Portable Handwashing Station Checklist

  • Portable water source
  • At least 5-gallon potable water storage
    • Use a touchless system, if possible (i.e. includes foot pump)
    • Start with warm water to support proper handwashing time of at least 20 seconds
  • At least 5-gallon container to collect grey water
  • Safe disposal of grey water, dispose in approved sewer or waste water system
  • Hand soap
  • Paper towels
  • Trash receptacle

Portable Handwashing Station - Graphic

Being Conscientious about Handwashing

Wash, lather, and scrub for at least 20 seconds before rinsing and drying your hands completely. Hand sanitizing cannot replace of handwashing ultimately, as it only reduces numbers of germs while handwashing reduces germs and removes soils that may be on the skin, but it should be used until access to handwashing is available.

When to Wash Your Hands
  • After touching face or front of mask
  • After using the restroom
  • After coughing, sneezing, and blowing your nose
  • After cleaning, sanitizing or disinfecting
  • After touching high touch surface areas
  • After returning from the store
  • After touching refuse (garbage)
  • After touching an animal, it's belongings or waste
  • Before and after smoking, eating, drinking
  • Before and after performing first aid
  • Before starting a work shift

Additional Best Practices for Events & Gatherings
(Not an exhaustive list)

  • Keep a list of attendees with contact information for contact tracing, if needed.
  • Offer screenings for attendees.
  • Offer remote access to listen or view event to help increase access due to reduced attendee numbers and for individuals at-risk.
  • Escort people to their seats or designated area to decrease crowding.
  • Stagger arrival and departure times to reduce crowding
  • Avoid handshakes

Additional Resources

Each bullet point below is a link to additional information and resources that may be useful and/or apply to your event.

For additional information, support, or clarification contact the Events Review Team.