WESTCLIFFE — Citing major declines in coronavirus cases and progress in vaccinations, the Custer County Board of Commissioners has voted to eliminate all pandemic-related restrictions on social gatherings, businesses and government operations.
KCNC-TV reports that the board voted Thursday to lift restrictions immediately. Health authorities in the southern Colorado county consulted with the state health department before recommending action to the board.
Dr. Clifford Brown, director of the county Public Health Agency, told board members that a consistent decline in new COVID-19 cases and successful efforts to vaccinate at-risk individuals merited the reopening.
Custer County, with an estimated population of about 5,000, has reported 164 positive cases and one death since the pandemic began last year.
Board members will meet March 10 to examine pandemic data and evaluate the reopening measures.