Larimer County Department of Health and Environment COVID-19 Operations Guide for Schools and Child Care
Subject to change-Updated September 20,21
This guidance was created to ensure Larimer County can achieve the following outcomes:
Children can continue to learn in-person at school and childcare centers with minimal disruptions
Help us keep our hospitals stocked with the necessary resources to provide care for all our community’s critical needs.
Near universal vaccination in Larimer County allows for a return to pre-pandemic levels
Masks Effective October 20, 2021. Pursuant Colorado Revised Statute 25-1-506, 508 and 516 and other applicable laws, the Public Health Director for Larimer County Department of Health and Environment issued a Public Health Order that requires face coverings to remain in Public Indoor Spaces within Larimer County to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This order is necessary to maintain Larimer County’s health care capacity. All persons aged 3 and over must wear masks in public indoor spaces, regardless of their vaccination status. Click here for more information.
Masks are required on school buses – to and from school and on all field trips. Public transportation, including school buses, requires that you wear a mask. For more information, please refer to this federal order
Medical Exemptions For Masks In Schools
Medical exemptions from wearing masks at schools are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act, and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. These regulations are the responsibility of each school/district.
Schools are required to provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or who request an exemption from wearing masks. These are some examples of reasonable accommodations:
Different types and styles of face coverings/or face shields
Changes to the classroom environment (e.g. Increased spacing between students; seated students near ventilation or purification equipment.
Additional PPE is used by classroom staff
Personal adjustments
Instruction and/or services offered outside, at home, or in another setting.
For the student, masks are taken off
Develop an IEP/504 goal, plan and goal to increase mask use (e.g. videos or social stories about the importance masks
A note or letter of a physician may be required to support the exemption request. However, it is not necessary for the schools process of evaluating the request.
Larimer County’s public health orders are not meant to allow schools or other entities covered by the ADA, to bypass the processes required by those regulations.