Boulder County warned that COVID-19 outbreaks resulting from Halloween would be disastrous during a University of Colorado Boulder weekly update Tuesday.

Boulder County’s two-week new case average reached 187.4 per 100,000 residents on Tuesday. That is well into the 175 requirement for Safer at Home Level 3 regulations instead of the county’s current Level 2 status.

Boulder County Public Health said other COVID-19 indicators like the two-week testing positivity rate and hospitalization rates are still in the Level 2 zone.

“We’re at a really critical moment right now,” said Patrick O’Rourke, CU interim executive vice chancellor. “We want to make sure Boulder County remains a safe place.”

O’Rourke said Boulder County’s restrictions will likely change in the coming weeks as a result of the statewide COVID-19 spike.

Denver, Adams and Logan counties are at Safer at Home Level 3 restrictions. Boulder County threatened to return to Level 3 on Monday.

Under Safer at Home Level 3, businesses, restaurants and workplaces would operate at 25% capacity. Indoor sports, gyms and fitness centers would close, along with senior facilities. Remote and hybrid education would be recommended for all ages.

“Our first challenge is going to be with Halloween,” said Jeff Zayach, executive director of BCPH. “We really need people to make sure they’re celebrating Halloween in a safe way.”

Officials said Boulder County will increase police patrols on Halloween, particularly directed at University Hill and the Pearl Street Mall, to ensure residents are following public health orders.

In Boulder County, gatherings are currently limited to 10 people from two different households.

CU’s Student Affairs is hosting a series of virtual and in-person Halloween celebrations to encourage students to celebrate safely.

Zayach said the student COVID-19 spike has decreased significantly, but they must remain vigilant.

“This really does come down to individual behavior change and taking responsibility for actions,” Zayach said. “We can see that students have done that.”

Despite positive student behaviors, COVID-19 rates in Boulder County have increased among all age groups.

Zayach said if there is an outbreak now, it will quickly lose control and result in another stay-at-home order because contact tracing efforts are diminished from the statewide peak.

“We cannot afford a surge,” Zayach said.

Officials remind Boulder County residents to wear masks, limit social gatherings, wash hands and social distance.

“Help us get through this as a community,” O’Rourke said.