After initially resisting such a sweeping mandate, Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday ordered the majority of Colorado’s 5.8 million residents to stay home in the state government’s most forceful attempt yet to counter the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The order, which took effect 6:00 am Thursday March 26 and expires Sunday April 26, comes as nearly one in three Americans are now living under some type of stay-at-home order. Leaders nationwide are working to flatten the curve of new coronavirus cases and prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed by surges of patients.
“Our generation is being called upon to sacrifice to save the lives of our fellow Coloradans and our fellow Americans,” Polis said during a news conference announcing the order. “And that sacrifice is staying at home. And that is a sacrifice for those who live paycheck-to-paycheck.”