Think you got it bad in Oklahoma City if you are caught not wearing a COVID mask? The fine is only $9 for the first and second offenses.
But a visit to some cities in Colorado could lead to jail time. In addition to a $5,000 fine!
It’s what Out There Colorado reported this week.
A growing number of Colorado mountain towns are enacting mandatory mask orders in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, requiring the use of face coverings or masks in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Going maskless comes with a large fine and possible jail time, depending on the mountain town.
The mountain town of Aspen recently issued a mandatory mask order requiring the use of face coverings or masks at all times in a designated downtown zone including the Roaring Fork River to the north, Aspen Mountain to the south, Original Street to the East, Aspen Street to the west. The Highlands transportation and commercial zone is also included.
The only exception to this mandatory mask order, which went into effect in Aspen on July 31st, is when individuals are seated at restaurants or inside one’s personal motor vehicle. The order also states that masks should be worn when the six-foot distance of separation from other individuals cannot be maintained.
Maskless violators could be fined $50 for the first offense, $250 for the second plus a mandatory court appearance, and $2,650 and/or a prison term of up to one year for all subsequent violations. For more details, please visit: cityofaspen.com/maskinfo.
In some mountain towns, the fines nearly double.
Also piggybacking off the statewide mask mandate, San Miguel County, home to Telluride, Norwood, Ophir, and Sawpit, is requiring masks or face coverings to be worn when entering or moving within any public indoor space.
This order will remain in effect in San Miguel County until 12:00 a.m. on August 28th, unless other extended. Fines for going maskless climb up to $5,000 with a maximum of 18 months in county jail.
Summit County (home to Breckenridge) is requiring masks to be worn in both indoor and outdoor public spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained.
The mandatory mask order, which is set to last until 11:59 p.m. on August 31st in Summit County, carries penalties of up to $5,000 in fines and a maximum of 18 months in county jail. More details here.
According to the latest update from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the statewide COVID-19 death toll currently stands at 1,691 individuals, with 47,716 confirmed cases of the virus in Colorado.
Source: Out There Colorado