Boulder County and Jefferson County’s updated face covering orders went into effect Monday, no longer requiring masks in public outdoor spaces. Masks are still required indoors.

Officials said the changes are a result of increasing vaccination rates among vulnerable populations.

According to county data, 40.2% of Boulder County’s eligible population and approximately 45% of Jefferson County’s eligible population have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

“While we are making great strides, we need to keep safety guidelines in place for a while longer,” said Lexi Nolen, Boulder County Public Health interim executive director. “As restrictions gradually ease, it is important to continue wearing masks in indoor spaces.”

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In Boulder County, masks are required in indoor public spaces at all times for everyone older than 10 years old.

Children younger than 2 and those experiencing trouble breathing, unconsciousness or incapacitation should not wear face masks because of suffocation risks, Boulder officials said. 

In Jefferson County, masks are required for those over 10 in indoor public spaces only when six-foot social distancing cannot be maintained between different households. 

“We are asking our residents and visitors to continue wearing their masks indoors a bit longer so we can stay on the right path,” said Dr. Dawn Comstock, Jefferson County Public Health executive director.

“After vaccination, masking and social distancing remain the most effective weapons we have against COVID-19 transmission.”

The new face covering orders of both counties also include mask requirements while playing indoor sports and while using or waiting for any taxi, bus, light rail, train, car service, ride-sharing service or mass transportation.

Vaccination status and group size do not exempt anyone from the mask mandate in Boulder County or Jefferson County, regardless of exemptions declared in Colorado’s Executive Order 2021-079.

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While face masks are no longer required outdoors, Nolen said the masks are still recommended outdoors in Boulder County when social distancing cannot be maintained between members of different households.

“We know there is pandemic fatigue, and we are grateful to every single resident who continues to take steps to protect themselves and the community by wearing a face covering,” Nolen said. “It takes all of us to end the pandemic.”

Boulder County businesses must ensure customers and employees wear masks the entire time they’re inside. Those who refuse to wear masks should avoid public indoor spaces by opting for alternatives such as curbside delivery.

Boulder County and Jefferson County’s new face covering orders will remain in effect for 30 days as public health officials continue to monitor vaccination, case and hospitalization rates.