Boulder County Public Health stepped back on its order prohibiting gatherings of 18- to 22-year-olds Monday, citing safety concerns from University of Colorado students.

Public Health Order 2020-07 was amended to prohibit gatherings of more than two college-aged people instead of the original prohibition of gatherings of more than one person.

Many argued the original order put CU students in danger, especially women.

“Any woman who has lived in Boulder for any stretch of time can attest to the fact that Boulder is not a safe place for women to travel alone on foot, especially at night,” the CU Boulder Representative Council said in a statement Sunday.

“As long as the young women of this University must fear for their safety, the City of Boulder has no right to prohibit them from taking even a single companion with them as they walk their dog, exercise or carry out any number of essential activities.”

The newly allowed two-person gatherings must follow public health laws concerning face coverings and social distancing.

The public health order update also allows “Stay-At-Home Residents,” defined as high-risk transmitters of COVID-19, to leave their property for essential activities or for purposes required by law, such as moving their car to avoid a parking ticket.

The update also permits participation in activities that are required by law or serve adults with disabilities, including jury duty, court orders, employment and permitted educational activities.

This allows for participation in “any life rites” such as wedding ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, religious/worship services and funerals, so as the events are authorized by and conducted in strict compliance with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment public health orders.

Stay-At-Home Residents are still prohibited from using any forms of public transportation or ridesharing under the public health order, even when traveling to essential activities.

The CU council’s statement raised issue with this, pointing to students without cars who rely on friends or public transportation to get to work and run errands.

“The City of Boulder has a habit of treating CU students like a problem to be dealt with,” the council’s statement said. “The rise in positive cases needs to be curbed, this is not in dispute. However, the City of Boulder’s approach to doing so is dehumanizing, plain and simple.”

The full amended order is available at bouldercounty.org.