City of Montrose Declares Emergency and Takes
Preventive Measures to Mitigate COVID-19
Spread and Impacts

Montrose, CO — The Montrose city manager has implemented a Declaration of Local Disaster Emergency effective immediately. This is a proactive measure to slow the potential spread, impacts, and damage of COVID-19 and will assist the City of Montrose in securing regional, state, and federal resources, if necessary.  

The City Council will hold its regular meeting Tuesday, March 17, at 6 p.m. and consider an ordinance that would extend the declaration indefinitely through the end of the pandemic.

According to Montrose County Public Health, at this time there are zero confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Montrose County, but there are confirmed cases in some neighboring communities. 

“We are making this declaration only after careful deliberation and planning over the past several days by a team of dedicated and caring professionals here at the city and after detailed consultation with our partner agencies here and across the state,” said City Manager Bill Bell.

The following city closures and restrictions will be in place for the public beginning March 17 at 7 a.m and will extend through the duration of the COVID-19 emergency period:

• City Hall and Municipal Court will be operating with limited access out of the Visitor Center at 107 S. Cascade Ave during normal business hours. 
• The Visitor Center, Animal Shelter, Public Works Shop, and Pavilion Events Center will close to public access. 
• The Police Department will remain open with limited access and officers will be on duty and responding to calls. 
• City Council will meet as scheduled unless otherwise posted. Meetings are open to the public via virtual participation only and citizens may watch all City Council meetings via live stream at www.cityofmontrose.org/civicmedia, on Channel 191 or on Elevate Channel 970.  Anyone wishing to provide public comment during the meeting may call the City Clerk directly at 970.240.1404 or email to: cityclerk@cityofmontrose.org.
•  City parks will remain open, but all public restrooms are closed for the duration of the emergency declaration. 
• The City Clerk's office will operate through email (cityclerk@cityofmontrose.org) and phone (970.240.1430) moving forward. 
• The Black Canyon Golf Course will remain open, but with some changes in business operations to increase player and staff safety.
• The city's public meeting spaces, including the Montrose Pavilion, Centennial Room, and Lions Clubhouse are closed. 
• Park shelter reservations are on hold.   

Essential city services including water, sewer, trash/recycling, and law enforcement will continue. 

A copy of the declaration can be viewed here.

The city strongly encourages customers and residents who do not need to conduct business with the city in person to use email, phone, and web-based communication. The city has created a community resource web page that will serve as a community information guide with daily updates (www.cityofmontrose.org/COVID19).

To avoid the interruption of best hygiene practices like hand washing, the city is suspending water utility shutoffs for delinquent customers while working with them to make future payment arrangements. 

The city will be working with community partners and non-profit groups to help support organizations that serve residents in need. More information about these efforts will be released in the coming days. 

“It’s a new day in America and in Montrose. As we navigate the uncharted waters of this new challenge, please know the health and safety of all who live and pass through Montrose is our top priority,” Montrose Mayor Dave Bowman said. “Community leaders at every level in Montrose are diligently and cooperatively working together to seamlessly deal with this intense situation. Please heed the advice of our scientists, medical professionals, and community leaders so we will overcome this unprecedented challenge as soon as possible.”

The City of Montrose is continuing to closely monitor direction from Montrose County Public Health and state and federal agencies and will follow guidance for the health and safety of the Montrose community and city staff.

All City of Montrose offices have implemented Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for cleaning city facilities.

Important local COVID-19 public information:
• Montrose County Public Health COVID-19 hotline: 970-252-4545
• Montrose County Public  Health website: www.montrosecounty.net/COVID19
• Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment: www.colorado.gov/cdphe/2019-novel-coronavirus
• Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 website: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
• For public meeting notices: www.cityofmontrose.org/notifyme

For more city news visit CityofMontrose.org.

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