DENVER — Countless people have called or emailed 9NEWS to ask what can be done about businesses that aren’t complying with the stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Jared Polis (D-Colorado).
The order, which was issued earlier this week, bars non-essential businesses from conducting anything but remote work.
Nevertheless, employees at certain businesses have contacted 9NEWS saying that their employer is fudging the system and incorrectly alleging their businesses are essential when they aren’t.
“That’s against the law and those businesses will be shut down,” Polis said at a news conference on Friday. “So please report them immediately.”
How to tattle on a specific business depends on where you live. Statewide, you can contact the Attorney General’s Office at covid19@coag.gov.
Attorney General Phil Weiser said employees who want to telecommute due to health concerns but are told they can’t should first speak to their officer’s human relations representative, before contacting their local health authority or law enforcement.
“If there's bad employers out there, that are just saying somehow we're exempt, no employer is exempt from this order," Polis said. "If you are critical, you are required to do the maximum social distancing you can. That means you have to allow telecommuting.”
If your company is based in Denver, complaints can be filed with the Denver Public Health Department (you can call 311 in Denver), which will send an investigator to determine if a closure is warranted.
In Jefferson County, contact local law enforcement. JeffCo Public Health will then send someone to educate a certain business before any enforcement occurs.
Boulder County requires citizens to contact the health department. The agency may call, visit, send a warning letter or email to first educate the business. According to the health department's frequently asked questions, "If (Boulder County Health Department) determines a violation has occurred or is occurring, it will initiate enforcement.
Tri-County Health in Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties are still working on procedures but said they will stress education before enforcement.
Polis’ stay-at-home order lists which businesses are and are not essential. You can read that below.
And for information about what is and is not allowed under the order, click the link below.
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