Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday issued a statewide mask mandate Thursday afternoon, after days of pressure from his fellow Democrats to make the move.
Polis announced at a news conference that he has issued an executive order requiring everyone age 10 and older to wear a mask or other facial covering while in public indoor spaces. The order is effective at midnight.
“Look, in Colorado, there’s no shirt, no shoes, no mask, no service,” Polis said. “Very simple.”
Several sources with knowledge of his decision-making, but who were not authorized to speak publicly about the governor’s plans, told The Denver Post that his office informed legislative leadership Wednesday that the order was coming.
Polis previously had said he can’t enforce a statewide mask order.
Nearly 40 cities and counties in Colorado already have issued mask orders as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations climb in the state.
The mask order was first reported by Colorado Politics.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
