Beginning Monday, people entering public areas of the La Plata County Courthouse and Archuleta Combined Court Clerk’s Office are required to wear a face covering unless exempt under Administrative Order 2020-7.
The rule comes in response to the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19, along with the increasing rate of new COVID-19 infections in the Sixth Judicial District, as well as updated Colorado Department of Health and Environment recommendations.
Courtrooms containing only employees and no other people will be consider to be a private area. If another person not employed by the district enters the space, all people in the area will be required to put on a face covering.
During court proceedings, the presiding judicial officer will determine if people may remove a facial covering to speak. In criminal cases, the defendant will have the option to wear a mask or face shield, or not wear a mask, for all trial proceedings.
This order will re-evaluated on a weekly basis.
