COVID-19 Tips for Events and Films

04/21/21  Denver's Department of Public Health and Environment has issued updated guidance for outdoor events that will be in effect for at least through mid-May. Based on key public health factors such as vaccinations, variants, case rates, hospitalizations and fatalities, Denver finds it necessary to maintain some capacity and distancing requirements for both indoor and outdoor settings while continuing a phased relaxation of certain measures. Denver's status will be re-evaluated for possible extension closer to its expiration date.

Here are the key elements for outdoor events:

• Capacity limits for outdoor events (seated and unseated) is increased to 5,000.
• Events must have a written COVID mitigation plan that must be submitted to OSE and be available for review by DDPHE, onsite.
• The facilitation of 6’ social distancing between parties must be included in the mitigation plan.
• Face coverings are no longer required in outdoor settings but are recommended and encouraged. 
• Food and beverage consumption is no longer restricted to seated areas.
• Tables must be 6' apart, seat a maximum of 10 people, and be cleaned between uses. 

Read on for more information and tips on how to manage a COVID-safe event.

Event Organizers

• Review the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Workplace Outbreak Guidance and develop an event-specific plan and checklist to manage the applicable prevention and mitigation requirements and recommendations.
• Train event staff on prevention and mitigation practices.
• Collect and maintain a list of employees, contractors and vendors to support COVID-19 contact tracing.
• Collect contact information for guests or attendees through ticket sales, reservations, RSVPs or sign-in sheets.
• Include times of arrival and departure, to help with potential exposure notification.
• Ensure 6 feet or more physical distancing between all employees, vendors, performers and attendees:

• Create a queue at entrances and exits that ensures a minimum of 6 feet of physical distance between individuals and pace entry and exit to prevent congestion.
• Establish single-direction traffic flow in and out of venue and seating areas.
• Utilize separate entrances and exits.
• Stagger guest arrival and departure times to avoid congregating at entrances and exits.
• Give reminders to observe at least 6 feet social distance before, during, and after events.
• Seating at events must be appropriately spaced, to reduce mingling and reinforce the necessary distance between individuals in different households.
• Install plexiglass barriers where appropriate.

• Do not exceed the capacity for your event by limiting number of tickets, adopting a “one out, one in” policy, applying scheduled entry times and controlling the event perimeter.
• Follow CDPHE’s Cleaning Guidance and sanitize of common touch points.
• Install hand washing and sanitizing stations at entrances, exits and in high-traffic areas.
• Establish a separate and isolated staging area for individuals who may become ill while onsite. Equip the staging area with chairs or cots, gloves and masks to be used while awaiting departure from site.
• If ride share is being used, identify and coordinate multiple locations for drop off and pick up.
• Consider shorter event duration times or limited admission windows to reduce the need for patrons to use restroom facilities, which can be a source of transmission.
• Eliminate games or activities that require or encourage mingling, congregating and sharing materials.
• Extend setup timelines to allow vendors more time to set up and not overlap.
• Allow spacing for vendor load-in and load-out so vendors and staff can maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from each other as much as possible.
• Create a single line of booths instead of double rows. If this is not possible, create at least a 16 feet thoroughfare between the two sides allowing for a single file, one-way path down the middle.
• Establish at least 6 feet between vendors and mark booth layouts that promote social distancing.
• Create one-way traffic flow through the booths to prevent crowding or mingling.

Communication and Guest Education

•  Include the following reminders in staff trainings, community notifications and signage:

• High risk populations should stay home
• If you’re sick, please stay home/do not enter
• Face coverings are recommended
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently
• Don’t touch your face with unwashed hands
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Maintain distance between yourself and others.

• Identify and address potential language, cultural, and disability barriers associated with communicating COVID19 information to event staff, vendors, participants and attendees. Information should be easily understood by everyone.

Vendors

• The Event Organizer is responsible for ensuring all vendors are aware of and adhering to COVID-19 requirements and procedures. Additionally, vendors should:
  • Refer to the CDPHE Workplace Outbreak Guidance and apply all recommendations for prevention and mitigation that are outlined in that document to their operation.
  • Train employees in proper use of protective equipment and to refrain from face-touching.
  • Require employee handwashing upon arrival, departure and frequently throughout the day.
  • Implement symptom monitoring protocols (including workplace temperature monitoring and symptom screening questions – read symptom screening guidance).
  • Instruct employees who have been in close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 (generally within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes, depending on level of exposure) to not report to work and to self-quarantine.
  • Group employees into teams or shifts that stick together to limit mixing between different teams or shifts.
  • Provide contactless payment methods. If contactless payment is not possible, cashier must wear gloves and hand sanitizer must be available for customers.
  • Prohibit multiple people to handle objects unless they can be disinfected between each handling.

   

  Performers and Competitors

  • Maximize physical spacing between performers and competitors.
  • Disinfect high touch areas and equipment such as microphones, instruments, props, etc. between uses.
  • Instruct performers and competitors who have been in close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 (generally within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes, depending on level of exposure) to not report to work and to self-quarantine.
  • Performers and competitors should use a separate entrance and exit from attendees where possible.

   

  Attendees

  • Encourage attendees to stay home if sick or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or if they have been in close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19.
  • Screen attendees for fever, symptoms or exposures before or at their arrival.
  • Encourage frequent handwashing and make handwashing stations readily available.
  • Discourage attendees from mixing and mingling with others not in their household as much as possible.
  • Encourage remote participation whenever possible.

   

  Contact the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment at phicomments@denvergov.org with questions.

Review (PDF, 9MB)tips for small and large running events(PDF, 186KB) (updated 4/21) developed in partnership with RunColfax.org.

Outdoor Markets in Denver must operate in a manner that prioritizes public health and safety, including promoting physical distancing and enhanced hygiene practices. This guidance shall be adhered to until further notice and is subject to change as the COVID pandemic progresses. The most recent changes are made are in accordance with the most recent local guidelines for outdoor events.

Coordinator Requirements

Coordinators are responsible for minimizing risks to guests, vendors, and market staff alike. Below are the minimum requirements for each of these groups to address the highest concerns. If a market is found to be out of compliance with any of the requirements below, or with any additional requirements set forth, whether it be by Denver or the State, the operator may be subject to enforcement action.

Customers

Adequate signage at the entrance and throughout the market to encourage the following:

• Those that are ill, especially if experiencing fever, cough or shortness of breath, shall not participate
• Encourage attendees who have been in close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 (generally within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes) to stay home, self-quarantine, and not attend the market
• Covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands)
• Good hand hygiene practices
• Physical distancing while shopping and/or waiting in line to enter the market

• Physical distancing throughout the market:
  • A market layout that encourages spacing between guests with indicators such as cones, tape, etc.
  • No seating or other means that encourage congregation at the market shall be provided, including, but not limited to chairs and tables and/or children’s activities
• Hand washing stations or access to hand sanitizer shall be made available for customers throughout market

Vendors

• Physical distancing
  • Adequate time and space shall be provided for load-in and load-out for all vendors
  • Allow only the number of vendors that will permit adequate spacing between booths
• Strongly recommend creating an online ordering and touchless payment system as well as curbside pick-up for customers to encourage physical distancing
• Signage for attendees that discourages touching product that is not purchase or asking guests to allow for only vendors to touch the product.
• Highly recommended that there are two individuals running any given booth, with one handling money and one handling product

Staff and Volunteers

• Those that are ill, especially if experiencing fever, cough or shortness of breath, shall not participate
• If an information booth is provided, it shall be located at the beginning of the market and focus on market requirements as they relate to COVID-19 and other requirements in this document
• All highly touched surfaces shall be disinfected at a routine frequency
• If handouts are provided at the market, they shall be done so in a way to minimize human-to-human contact
• Market staff shall have a means to communicate with market attendees prior to the event to make them aware of market rules, such as a website or community social media page
• Good hand hygiene practices shall be adhered to through hand washing and/or the use of hand sanitizer
• Familiarize yourself with the Workplace Outbreak Guidance and notify DDPHE in the case there is a potential outbreak associated with your market

Retail Vendor Requirements

Retail vendors are responsible to ensure the safety and sanitation for themselves, fellow vendors and guests. A failure to comply with any mandates that apply to their business under the order may result in further enforcement action. Currently, individual vendors operating within the outdoor markets shall follow the retail requirements as well as the requirements listed below.

All Vendors

• Those that are ill, especially if experiencing fever, cough or shortness of breath, shall not participate
• Although not required, all vendors are encouraged to wear face coverings
• Encourage online payment and pre-ordering
• If payment occurs at booth, regularly disinfect payment devices with disinfecting wipes containing at least 70% alcohol. Dry surface thoroughly.
• Allow for and encourage physical distancing from other individuals
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as frequently as possible or use hand sanitizer when sinks are not available
• Vendors shall not shake hands with others
• Provide hand sanitizer for guest use to encourage good hygiene practices, especially if payment is taken onsite

Food Vendors, Including Food Trucks

• All food vendors are subject to the Denver Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations
• All necessary licenses shall be obtained prior to participating in the market
• All premade products, such as baked goods, must be pre-packaged at their place of production
• Hand washing sinks with hot water measuring 100F, soap, paper towels and a catch basin for gray water shall be made available at the stand and cannot be shared with other vendors or guests; food trucks must have their plumbed hand washing sink functioning, as required; pre-packaged food vendors are not required to have a hand washing sink, per the Denver Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations, but to encourage hand hygiene during the pandemic, it is highly encourage all vendors have hand washing capabilities
• Food safety classes shall be completed as required for cottage food vendors and is highly recommended for all food vendors
• Post signage encouraging guests to wash hands prior to consumption of food
• NOTE: On-site consumption and sampling of food and beverages are now allowed

Live Performers

• Performances or competitions must be a minimum of 25 feet distance from patrons**
• Live Performer Participants (e.g., players, performers, actors, competitors, entertainers, etc.) in events must be checked for fevers, symptoms, and exposures before or at arrival.
• Live Performer Participants (e.g., players, performers, actors) who do not feel well, have symptoms or have been in close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 should not participate and should self-quarantine.
• Where necessary, implement alternative placement of performers. If spacing is not possible, in some situations it may be suitable to install barriers to minimize transmission of aerosolized particles
• Maximize physical spacing between performers on-stage
• Disinfect high touch areas and equipment such as microphones, instruments, props, etc. between uses
• Performers are encouraged to wear a face covering when not performing and when closer than 25 feet to patrons

**Research and the CDC suggest that activities like singing may project respiratory droplets in greater quantity and over greater distance, increasing the risk of COVID-19 transmission, particularly with prolonged exposure.

Massage Therapist (non-healthcare setting)

• Follow all guidelines applicable to personal services, and guidelines applicable to massage therapists released by CDPHE
• Employ strict hygiene guidelines and frequent sanitization procedures for all contact surfaces and tools
• Encourage physical distancing between the clients/customers and employees when not directly performing service and also between respective client/customer and employee stations while services are being provided
• Disinfect all service equipment after each use
• Wear gloves as indicated by industry standards
• Wash hands and change gloves between customers

Every person and organization holding an event-related permit from the City and County of Denver must comply with the Public Health Orders (PHOs) that are in effect at the time of the event. These PHOs may change at any time with no prior notice and may result in additional requirements to permittees and issued permits or event cancellation. OSE and permitting agencies will make reasonable efforts to provide notice to permittees of any changes to the PHOs. This document provides tips that can help support adherence to the state’s orders and guidelines.

Parades and Processions are defined as a planned, organized, group of people or vehicles moving forward in an orderly fashion on public property with a designated start, route and end location in celebration of a special day or event. Parades and processions must limit participants plus spectators to 5,000. Any festival areas before or after the parade should follow all City of Denver guidelines for outdoor events.

Parade and Procession Organizers

•  Review the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Workplace Outbreak Guidance and develop an event-specific plan and checklist to manage the applicable prevention and mitigation requirements and recommendations.
• Train event staff on prevention and mitigation practices.
• Collect and maintain a list of staff, volunteers and contractors to support COVID-19 contact tracing.
• Collect contact information for participants through RSVPs or sign-in sheets. Include times of arrival and departure, to help with potential exposure notification.
• Ensure 6 feet or more physical distancing between all staff, volunteers, contractors and participants:
  • Parade/procession staging areas must be carefully planned to allow each participant 6 ft of physical distance, except for those remaining in their vehicle or on a float.
  • Stagger participant arrival and departure times to avoid congregating at the staging and finish areas.
  • All parade participants must wear masks in staging and finish areas of the parade.
  • Participants should walk in formations that allow 6 ft spacing between individuals. Last updated 7/10/2020
  • Musicians and vocal performers may remove masks once they are on the parade route. All other participants must wear masks when on the route, including those on floats and in cars.
  • Reduce or prohibit interaction between parade participants and spectators.
  • Give reminders to staff, volunteers and contractors to observe at least 6 feet social distance before, during, and after the parade/procession. 
• Parade floats can have no more than 10 people on each float
• Vehicles in parade can have no more passengers than the number of functioning seatbelts.
• No swag, fliers, or promotional materials can be distributed to spectators along the route.
• No goods, merchandise, food, or beverages can be sold or distributed to spectators along the route.
• Route needs to be planned to minimize occurrences of participants facing one another—traffic should always flow in the same direction.
• Discourage gathering of spectators along the route; provide streaming options when possible.
• Follow CDPHE’s Guidance for Cleaning and sanitize common touch points.
• Install hand washing and sanitizing stations at staging areas.
• Establish a separate and isolated staging area for individuals who may become ill while onsite. Equip the staging area with chairs or cots, gloves and masks to be used while awaiting departure from site.
• Consider shorter event duration times to reduce the need for staff, volunteers, contractors and participants to use restroom facilities, which can be a source of transmission.

Communication and Guest Education

• Include the following reminders in staff trainings, community notifications and signage:

• High risk populations should stay home
• If you’re sick, please stay home and do not enter
• Face coverings are recommended
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently
• Don’t touch your face with unwashed hands
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Maintain distance between yourself and others.

• Identify and address potential language, cultural, and disability barriers associated with communicating COVID-19 information to staff, volunteers, contractors, participants and spectators. Information should be easily understood by everyone.

Participants

• Messaging must go out prior to the parade participants and spectators to they follow State and City Public Health Orders, such as:

• wearing a mask/face covering
• maintaining physical distancing of at least 6 ft between individuals, not in the same househould
• recommending that those who may be sick stay home
• limiting spectators groups to no more than 8 individuals
• encouraging spectators to stay home if sick or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or if they have been in close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19

Spectators

• If expecting spectators to view the parade from public property, consider setting up specific viewing areas that will allow for physical distancing to be easily indicated and maintained.
• Discourage spectators from mixing and mingling with others not in their household as much as possible.
• Encourage remote participation whenever possible.

Contact Denver Department of Public Health & Environment at phicomments@denvergov.org with questions.

Every person and organization holding an event-related permit from the City and County of Denver must comply with the Public Health Orders (PHOs) that are in effect at the time of the event. These PHOs may change at any time with no prior notice and may result in additional requirements to permittees and issued permits or event cancellation. OSE and permitting agencies will make reasonable efforts to provide notice to permittees of any changes to the PHOs. This document provides tips that can help support adherence to the state’s orders and guidelines. 

Pop Up Drive-In events are activities in which the attendees observe entertainment and enjoy other aspects of the event experience from inside a stationary vehicle. They can take place in a venue not typically used as a drive-in theater and can be on public or private property. All city and state public health mandates supersede the requirements listed below in bold and additional recommended guidance, which is provided to aid in your planning. Because attendees of Pop Up Drive-In Events are sheltered in their vehicle, they are exempt from the mandated limits on attendance at a gathering.

Event Organizers

• Review the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Workplace Outbreak Guidance and develop an event-specific plan and checklist to manage the applicable prevention and mitigation requirements and recommendations.
• Train event staff on prevention and mitigation practices.
• Collect and maintain a list of employees, contractors and vendors to support COVID-19 contact tracing.
• Collect contact information for guests or attendees through ticket sales, reservations, RSVPs or sign-in sheets. Include times of arrival and departure, to help with potential exposure notification.
• Ensure 6 feet or more physical distancing between all employees, vendors, performers and attendees:
  • Create a queue at entrances and exits that ensures a minimum of 6 feet of physical distance between individuals and pace entry and exit to prevent congestion.
  • Establish single-direction traffic flow in and out of venue and seating areas. o Utilize separate entrances and exits.
  • Stagger guest arrival and departure times to avoid congregating at entrances and exits.
  • Give reminders to observe at least 6 feet social distance before, during, and after events.
  • Seating at events must be appropriately spaced, to reduce mingling and reinforce the necessary distance between individuals in different households.
  • Install plexiglass barriers where appropriate.
• Do not exceed the capacity for your event by limiting number of tickets, adopting a “one out, one in” policy, applying scheduled entry times and controlling the event perimeter.
• Follow CDPHE’s Cleaning Guidance and sanitize of common touch points.
• Install hand washing and sanitizing stations at entrances, exits and in high-traffic areas.
• Establish a separate and isolated staging area for individuals who may become ill while onsite. Equip the staging area with chairs or cots, gloves and masks to be used while awaiting departure from site.
• If ride share is being used, identify and coordinate multiple locations for drop off and pick up.
• Consider shorter event duration times or limited admission windows to reduce the need for patrons to use restroom facilities, which can be a source of transmission.
• Eliminate games or activities that require or encourage mingling, congregating and sharing materials.
• Extend setup timelines to allow vendors more time to set up and not overlap.
• Allow spacing for vendor load-in and load-out so vendors and staff can maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from each other as much as possible.
• Create a single line of booths instead of double rows. If this is not possible, create at least a 16 feet thoroughfare between the two sides allowing for a single file, one-way path down the middle.
• Establish at least 6 feet between vendors and mark booth layouts that promote social distancing.
• Create one-way traffic flow through the booths to prevent crowding or mingling.

Communication and Guest Education

•  Include the following reminders in staff trainings, community notifications and signage:
  • High risk populations should stay home
  • If you’re sick, please stay home and do not enter
  • Face coverings are recommended
  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently
  • Don’t touch your face with unwashed hands
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Maintain distance between yourself and others.
• Identify and address potential language, cultural, and disability barriers associated with communicating COVID19 information to event staff, vendors, participants and attendees. Information should be easily understood by everyone.

Vendors

The Event Organizer is responsible for ensuring all vendors are aware of and adhering to COVID-19 requirements and procedures. Additionally, vendors should:

• Refer to the CDPHE's Workplace Outbreak Guidance and apply all recommendations for prevention and mitigation that are outlined in that document to their operation.
• Train employees in proper use of protective equipment and to refrain from face-touching.
• Require employee handwashing upon arrival, departure and frequently throughout the day.
• Implement symptom monitoring protocols (including workplace temperature monitoring and symptom screening questions – review guidance).
• Instruct employees who have been in close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 (generally within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes, depending on level of exposure) to not report to work and to self-quarantine.
• Group employees into teams or shifts that stick together to limit mixing between different teams or shifts.
• Provide contactless payment methods. If contactless payment is not possible, cashier must wear gloves and hand sanitizer must be available for customers.
• Prohibit multiple people to handle objects unless they can be disinfected between each handling.

Performers and Competitors

• Maximize physical spacing between performers and competitors.
• Disinfect high touch areas and equipment such as microphones, instruments, props, etc. between uses.
• Instruct performers and competitors who have been in close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 (generally within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes, depending on level of exposure) to not report to work and to self-quarantine.
• Performers and competitors should use a separate entrance and exit from attendees where possible.

Attendees

• Encourage attendees to stay home if sick or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or if they have been in close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19.
• Screen attendees for fever, symptoms or exposures before or at their arrival.
• Encourage frequent handwashing and make handwashing stations readily available.
• Discourage attendees from mixing and mingling with others not in their household as much as possible.
• Encourage remote participation whenever possible.

Contact the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment at phicomments@denvergov.org with questions.

Every person and/or organization holding a film permit from Denver’s Office of Special Events must comply with the Public Health Orders (PHOs) that are in effect at the time of the event. These PHOs may change at any time with no prior notice and may result in additional requirements to permittees and issued permits or event cancellation. OSE and permitting agencies will make reasonable efforts to provide notice to permittees of any changes to the PHOs. This document provides tips that can help support adherence to the state’s orders and guidelines.

• There are no restrictions prohibiting people from out of state coming to film in Denver, at this time

• Film Productions and Photo Shoots are limited to the number of crew and talent as specified by the State of Colorado’s COVID-19 Dial restrictions for unseated outdoor and indoor events
• Productions must review the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Workplace Outbreak Guidance and develop a production-specific plan and checklist to manage the applicable prevention and mitigation requirements and recommendations
• Production must train staff on prevention and mitigation practices
• Production must collect and maintain a list of staff, volunteers and contractors to support COVID-19 contact tracing
• Production must follow CDPHE’s Cleaning Guidance for Cleaning and sanitize common touch points
• All members of the production, including cast, crew, and contractors are required to wash hands upon arrival on set, departure and frequently throughout the day
• Production must implement symptom monitoring protocols (including workplace temperature monitoring and symptom screening questions – review State of Colorado guidance)
• Employees who have been in close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 (generally within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes, depending on level of exposure) should not report to work and instead self-quarantine.
• When possible, production should group employees into teams or shifts that stick together to limit mixing between different teams or shifts.
• Cast and crews are considered coworkers, which allows them to gather in groups larger than 10 and be within 6 feet of one another, but face coverings are recommended for crew members regardless of proximity to others.
• Actors, models, and performers are encouraged to wear face coverings unless they are part of the same household OR unless they are farther than 6 feet away from all other people involved in the shoot (including other actors) and 25 feet away from the general public. (From the order: Performers who maintain at least a 25-foot distance from attendees or patrons and at least a six-foot distance from each other and other employees at all times during their performance are exempt from mask requirement. Performers must wear a face covering at all other times when they are on the premises and not performing.)