Week of September 28, 2020

The City and County of Broomfield is committed to providing frequent news, updates and information related to COVID-19. Please find resources and opening information at Broomfield.org/COVID and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.   Please be mindful that information may change rapidly, even by the hour.

Public Health Update You can always find day to day changes on Broomfield’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard, along with information on regional hospital capacity and demographic details. Visit the state website for more information on hospital capacity, outbreaks and county case information. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) updates cases daily at 4 p.m.

Note that the changes detailed here (+) are the change from Sunday, September 20 to Sunday, September 27. Data is released by the state at 4 p.m. each day and reported on Broomfield’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard by 6 p.m. Hospitalizations to date may reflect information that was recently reported to Broomfield Public Health but may have happened in previous weeks.

Free COVID-19 testing will take place on Tuesdays through the end of the year (new extension!) from 2-6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Health and Human Services building at 100 Spader Way. Pre-registration not needed. Testing is for those who are symptomatic and are Broomfield residents, work in Broomfield or go to school in Broomfield.

The Dial: Counties in the State of Colorado may be in different levels of restrictions due to COVID-19 depending on metrics outlined by the State. How do you know where Broomfield County is? Read the Broomfield Community Update Check Social media including the City and County of Broomfield Facebook, Twitter or NextDoor Listen to the weekly community update at 303.438.6391 Visit Broomfield.org/COVID Watch Channel 8 (Comcast Customers only)

Frequently Asked Question: Is COVID-19 really worse than the flu? Should I still get a flu shot this year?  While people often compare COVID-19 to the flu, there are some differences that warrant greater caution when it comes to COVID-19. This includes a longer incubation period (up to 14 days) for COVID-19, lack of vaccine, and that it is a novel virus and the long-term consequences are still unknown. Influenza is a virus that has been more thoroughly studied as it has been around much longer.  The 2019-2020 flu season is defined as late September 2019 to late May 2020 (~8 months). During that period, there were over 3,500 hospitalizations due to flu, 3 pediatric deaths and 64 outbreaks in long-term care facilities. In comparison, COVID-19 has led to a far greater number of hospitalizations and outbreaks and currently has a higher death rate.Surveillance data for the 2019-2020 influenza is reported on the state website.  This could be a particularly bad year to get the flu as hospitals could be strained by COVID-19 patients. Getting the flu and COVID-19 together could expose you to extra health problems, especially if you are in a vulnerable population. The flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu. Most people who get the flu vaccine have no side effects and you can help prevent the spread to others close to you. Flu vaccine providers can be found at FluVaxColorado.org, including, for those who are uninsured. New this year, pharmacies can choose to administer flu and other vaccines to children over the age of 3. This will provide an additional resource for the public to safely and easily receive the flu vaccine.

Upcoming Events

City Council will convene tomorrow night, Sept. 29. View the agenda. Public participation via telephone will open at approximately 6 p.m. by calling 1.855.695.3744 and pressing star 3 (*3) to be placed in the queue. Written comments are requested to be sent in advance to [email protected]. This meeting will be presented live on the City Council website Broomfield.org/CityCouncil and through your local television, Channel 8.

Telephone Town Hall: Join the Telephone Town Hall on the fourth Thursday each month. The next one will be Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. Residents can call 855.695.3744 the night of, or sign up to be called directly. RSVP and share the Facebook event for updates. Town Hall audio is streamed live on Channel 8 as well. If you are not able to make it, listen to the available recordings.

Drive-Thru Job Fair: The community is invited to a Workforce Center Drive-Thru Open House tomorrow, Sept. 29 from 9-11 a.m. Following all health and safety guidelines, visit from your own personal vehicle where you will receive a job search essential goodie bag with resources highlighting core services, meet the awesome (masked) team, and the first 45 visitors will receive a special gift card from local Broomfield Businesses. Find more information on Broomfield.org/Workforce.

The 2020 General Election is just around the corner! Find all information about voting in Broomfield at VoteBroomfield.com. Find: How to register to vote or update your voter registration Critical dates for the 2020 General Election, such as the deadline to vote by mail Frequently asked questions about voting by mail and the Colorado voting process Election results as available Locations of Broomfield's seven secure 24-hour ballot drop-boxes Public elections events (Public Logic & Accuracy Test, Post Election Risk-Limiting Audit (Round 1) and General Election Canvass and Certification) dates and access information!

City Updates Broomfield Pals is looking for two volunteers to be matched with residents on the waiting list who need help with ongoing outdoor home maintenance. This is a great opportunity to be a good neighbor, while getting to know a Broomfield neighbor! Apply today at Broomfield.org/BroomfieldPals.

Volunteers are needed to help at drive-thru community COVID-19 testing sites. Volunteers do not need a medical background or experience; they will help collect registration information, manage patient traffic, and assist with patient communication and result notifications for a drive-thru community COVID-19 testing site open to any Broomfield symptomatic patients. Visit Broomfield.org/Volunteer (and click on the Emergency Operations Center" link)for more info and to sign up.

Virtual Broomfield Days Wrap-up: Thank you for making this special Broomfield Days a success! 1,346 residents participate in Virtual Broomfield Days! See some of the highlights!

New Look for Broomfield Voice: The community engagement tool is getting a new look! If you have used the site in the past to follow city projects you will find that it functions exactly the same, but soon when you visit BroomfieldVoice.com you will find an easier to read layout and a new page design to improve user experience!

Census 2020 Update: The Census is still going on. A United States District Court judge in the Northern District of California ruled on Sept. 25 that the revision to end enumeration on Sept. 30, after previously extending to Oct. 31 would not be permitted to move forward. As such, the Census enumeration period will continue through Oct. 31, 2020*. (*It should be noted that the United States Department of Commerce and the United States Census Bureau are appealing this ruling and future changes to the timetable may occur.) A snapshot of response rates as of September 28, 2020: National  Self Response Rate:66.4% Total Enumerated (Self Response + Non-Response Follow Up (NRFU)): 97.9% State (Colorado) Self Response Rate: 69.5% Total Enumerated (Self Response + NRFU): 97.5% County (Broomfield) Self Response Rate: 76.9%

Public Art Mural: Broomfield’s first large-scale mural project will bring conversation, representation, and awareness to complex issues of mental health, diversity, suicide prevention, and inclusion. The Broomfield Public Art Committee (PAC) received many submissions and have chosen eight images to install on the brick wall at the intersection of Hwy 128 and US 287. PAC thanks the community for helping create space for meaningful dialogue through art. Find more details and images of the artwork.

BCC Ribbon Cutting You’re invited to celebrate the opening of the brand new Broomfield Community Center on Oct. 3! Enjoy this historical Broomfield event from your home by tuning into the virtual ribbon cutting broadcast live at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, or by signing up for a small group tour of the new facility. Learn more at BroomfieldCommunityCenter.com.

Thanks to more than 1,500 participants of the 2020 Virtual Broomfield 100! If each visitor walked the average trail length, all together Broomfield walked 4,992 miles; almost the length of the Amazon river! A special congrats to participants: Lacey M., Kirk P. and Kelleigh N., who were randomly selected to win a gift card to Golden Bear Bikes! The summer’s challenge is over, but the Broomfield 100 app is still available to help everyone find new trails in Broomfield! Heide Murray (@AllGoodWishes) posts:"Riding into 50 years this weekend. Thanks broomfieldbikeclub for a good friday ride! @broomfield_co #bike #electricbikeparade #lights #sunset #thingstodoinbroomfield #goodfun #bicycle #colorado"

Thanks to @leftovercyan for tweeting about this Mural at 287 and Miramonte

Safer at Home Activity Need a good laugh? Check out 303’s list of 10 Colorado comedians to laugh out loud with at home. View more activities for staying active and entertained.

Featured Programs and Classes

Make an appointment for fitness today! The Paul Derda Recreation Center is OPEN by appointment, and the Broomfield Community Center is currently accepting appointments for Oct. 5 and beyond! Schedule your appointment at either facility today at B-REx.com. Broomfield’s two amazing fitness centers are open seven days a week and offer: 💪 Group Fitness Classes (stay safe and accountable with small group fitness classes) 🏋️ Cardio and weight room use by appointment 🏊‍♀️ Pool use by appointment including family swim, lap swimming, Masters Swim team, river walking and more! Not sure you’re ready to get back to the gym? Try out the Paul Derda Recreation Center and Broomfield Community Center for seven days. Details at Broomfield.org/Passes. Information and Assistance Program in Senior Services: The new Information and Assistance Program, funded through DRCOG, provides information and assistance to adults age 60 and older to ensure everyone has access to services and programs to support healthy aging. Residents are provided resources and advocacy in making contact with appropriate agencies to meet individual needs. Follow up and evaluation are provided to ensure the resident is receiving the appropriate services. Trained staff will help older adults navigate resources and services in the area. Please call 303.464.5526 or visit the webpage for more information.

Laser Cutter Appointments: InventHQ is open for laser appointments! Book your two-hour appointment to use the laser cutter at inventHQ today! (Limit: one appointment per week)

Story Time: Join the final outdoor story time Wednesday at 10 a.m. for fun with stories and movement. This program meets outside the library at the amphitheater next to the pond. Registration is required. Broomfield Early Learning is offering preschool: In person and online learning options available for preschoolers 2.5-5 years old. Register today; Classes start Oct. 5 and 6. Children's safety and happiness is the number one priority. Each class includes two weekly online circle times, and daily at-home activities.

Show how you are supporting your community and doing your part Using #WeAreBroomfield, #DoingMyPartCO

Find Reliable, Updated Information: Broomfield Public Health and Environment (BPHE)  Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) Federal Center of Disease Control (CDC)