Colorado gyms are celebrating a win after being allowed to remain open after uncertainty.
On Tuesday, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) updated its guidance in certain Colorado counties to allow gyms to stay open.
Earlier in the week, it was unclear if clubs would have to cease indoor fitness operations if the counties moved into Safer At Home: Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions.
Now, despite the counties moving into Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions, Colorado gyms can remain open, operating indoors at 25% capacity, or 25 people — whichever is fewer.
During an October 28th panel discussion, the president of Colorado-based Club Greenwood, Paula Neubert, celebrated the updated guidance and said it is a win for all clubs in the state.
According to Neubert, the Colorado Fitness Coalition, which Club Greenwood is a part of, played a huge role in helping clubs in the state remain open. She explained the coalition contacted state officials and argued clubs should be allowed to remain open for three main reasons:
- No clubs in the state of Colorado have been the source of outbreaks.
- Clubs are easily able to do contact tracing as membership organizations; versus businesses like Walmart or Target. In addition, gyms can enforce COVID protocols much more strictly, such as requiring masks to be worn at all times; versus restaurants, where patrons can take off their masks while eating.
- Concerns surrounding health equity. Currently, it’s very difficult to exercise outside due to cold temperatures in the state. In addition, gym closures have significantly more negative impact on lower socio-economic groups.
According to Neubert, officials agreed with their arguments and updated the guidance to allow gyms to remain open during Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions.
This example showcases the power of state fitness alliances, which are cropping up in states across the U.S. Many of these alliances have been successful at getting clubs reopened sooner or preventing them from re-closing.
Read the letter sent to CDPHE Executive Director Jill Ryan by the Colorado Fitness Coalition.
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
