At least one Colorado city is implementing a two-week curfew in an effort to stem the swelling tide of positive COVID cases.

According to the Pueblo Chieftain, the city of Pueblo announced the curfew on Thursday which will go into effect today. (October 30)

The daily curfew will be in effect from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. for the next two weeks. That means no one can be walking or driving around town during those hours unless the activity is determined to be critical or essential- as defined by an amended public health order issued earlier this week. Exceptions would including going to the grocery store, a pharmacy or to work.

The mayor of Pueblo says the local police department will be enforcing the curfew which carries a penalty of up to a $1000 fine and up to one year in jail. However, the local police chief said violators will not be taken into custody.

While Pueblo's two-week positivity rate ballooned to 5.6% this week, the entire state is seeing significant increases in positive cases. As of Thursday, Mesa County's two-week positive rate was at 5.8% with a two-week total of nearly 600 positive COVID tests.

The measures taken by the city of Pueblo to implement the 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. curfew seem drastic, but these are certainly unprecedented times. Some may view the action as a restriction of freedom and rights, but, the reality is, this temporary curfew is intended to prevent deeper restrictions, another shutdown, and a further loss of freedom.

Only time will tell if other communities in Colorado will follow suit and implement daily curfews in their effort to keep residents safe and slow the spread of the virus. Hopefully, Colorado residents will heed the advice and warnings of health officials to wear a mask, social distance, and avoid crowds and gatherings as much as possible.

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