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Steamboat Magazine

Colorado Honors COVID-19 Victims

05/14/2020 11:51AM ● By Alesha Damerville

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS – Across the Centennial State, Governor Polis is asking local communities to honor the more than 1,000 individuals who have died from the coronavirus in Colorado. The statewide remembrance event will take place at 7pm, tomorrow, Friday, May 15.

“Casey’s Pond has been the hardest hit in our community,” commented Interim Fire Chief Chuck Cerasoli. “We want to honor each person that has passed, but also everyone at Casey’s Pond and across our community working to ensure we do everything we can to keep anyone else from succumbing to this disease.”

The Governor is asking citizens to take a moment of silence for one minute at 7pm to honor the
individuals the state has lost to the disease. In addition, if you have building lights or a porch
light, please turn it red for the evening. Don’t forget to wear your facemasks to display our efforts to do our part to save lives.

As part of the ceremony locally on Friday, the Steamboat Springs Police Department, Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue and Classic Air Medical will assemble around Casey’s Pond for the moment of silence. Our first responders will turn on vehicle emergency lights for one minute to pay their respects to COVID-19 victims, including the six deaths that have occurred in Steamboat Springs and Routt County. In addition, Classic Air Medical’s helicopter will do an honorary fly over at the same time.

“Being on the frontlines, we understand the emotional and physical toll that accompanies situations like this,” said Police Commander Annette Dopplick. “Losing any member of our community is one too many and our hearts go out to the friends and family of those that have lost a loved one to COVID-19.”

The pedestrian path immediately around Casey’s Pond will be closed from approximately 6:45pm to 7:15pm so that public safety vehicles and staff can stage for the event. If members of the public are interested in joining, please adhere to physical distancing, wear masks and understand that this moment will be emotional for many on our team.

As of this morning, Routt County has seen 64 cases, 1,380 tests and 6 deaths. While Colorado cases have reached 20,475, 112,505 tested and 1,062 deaths. The state is currently under a statewide Safer at Home public health order from the Governor. Washing hands, wearing protective face coverings and maintaining physical distancing measures are imperative in stopping the spread of this virus.