Good morning southern Colorado and here's what you need to know on your Thursday morning.
If you'd like to read the full story, be sure to click on the story headline.
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Gov. Jared Polis plans to extend statewide mask mandate
Gov. Jared Polis intends to extend Colorado's statewide mask mandate before it expires this coming weekend, according to the Denver Post. According to News5's partners in Denver, Denver7, the Post confirmed this with members of Polis' staff on Wednesday. The mask mandate was issued by Polis on July 16, for one month. The order requires everyone 11 years of age and older to wear a mask or face-covering in public indoor spaces.
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Colorado releases guidance for schools, families to respond to positive coronavirus cases, outbreaks
Colorado public health officials released more guidance Wednesday for how school districts and parents can prepare for the event a student, staffer or class contracts coronavirus and needs to quarantine at home, and how they can return. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said that more than 70 districts, school nurses, teachers union representatives, counties and local public health agencies had input over the past week on the guidance released Wednesday.
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Much hotter today with critical fire danger out west
We're looking very hot across the forecast area today with mostly dry skies. Colorado Springs and Pueblo will be closer to heat records today, with highs in the 90s and lower triple digits. We could see an isolated storm try to form in Kiowa county with strong winds, but that chance is very low.
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Seniors breaking out of social isolation to play parking lot bingo
Life during the last few months has been tough for many of our seniors. It's mainly because they are isolated and vulnerable to the impacts of the coronavirus. Fountain Valley Senior Center needed approval from county health officials, a gaming license, and protocols to make sure everyone who comes out feels safe. Now that all of those things taken care of, seniors are now playing parking lot bingo.
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Pine Gulch Fire on Western Slope grows to 58,836, ranks 6th-largest wildfire in state history
The Pine Gulch Fire grew to 58,836 acres by Thursday morning, making it the sixth-largest wildfire in Colorado history. It has surpassed the acreage of the 416 Fire from 2018. The fire remains 7% contained. Fire officials say the Pine Gulch Fire burning on Colorado's Western Slope has been active the past few days thanks to relentless heat and wind.
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