Governor Jared Polis has made an executive order that all ski resorts in Colorado will be closed for a minimum of one week due to the outbreak of COVID-19. This comes after many resorts had already announced they would shut down beginning March 15.

Vail Resorts, Alterra Mountain Company, Aspen Snowmass, Telluride, Arapahoe Basin, and Loveland all announced closures Saturday. Telluride and Aspen Snowmass indicated on social media ahead of Polis’ announcement that he would be ordering all of Colorado’s resorts to close.

Gov. Polis released a statement on Saturday evening, saying:

“Never would I have believed that a global pandemic would force the temporary closure of our world-class ski resorts. I have been skiing since I was four years old. Our family has had a place in Vail for three decades. And, like so many Colorado families, we were planning a ski trip with our kids over their spring break next weekend. Beyond being a major part of our way of life, skiing supports our workers and businesses. For those of us who treasure living our lives outdoors, sacrificing our fun is the easier part; but for those who depend on employment in our Colorado high country, the uncertainty of how long they will be out of a job is terrifying. It is with a profound sense of pain and grim responsibility that I take the agonizing action that this moment demands. I take solace in knowing that while we will be temporarily closed for business, we will be saving the lives of hundreds, perhaps thousands of Coloradans in the days and weeks ahead.”

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