All casinos in Teller County must close beginning Monday evening after health officials moved the county from Safer at Home Level Yellow to Level Orange.

“Casinos have been singled out in the Public Health Order as the only industry required to close under the Orange designation with exception to alcohol-only bars. We argued that casinos should remain open similar to restaurants, gyms, retail establishments, and schools. To date only 5% of Teller County’s total cases have been traced to the Cripple Creek area” wrote Teller County Commissioners Marc Dettenrieder, Bob Campbell and Norm Steen in a news release. 

The commissioners said the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is considering allowing casinos to remain open, and will inform county officials on Monday. 

Over the last two weeks, 125 county residents have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, and the community currently has an 11.6% positivity rate.

Aside from casinos closing their doors on Monday, restaurants indoor dining capacity limits will be reduced to 25% capacity and personal gatherings are restricted to no more than 10 people from two households. Houses of worship and indoor events can operate at 25% of capacity or 50 people and outdoor events can operate at 25% capacity or 75 people. 

Teller County joins 30 other county that are currently or going to be in Level Orange as cases throughout Colorado continue to surge.