Short-term rentals, and campgrounds are the key to safe awakening.

From the onset of the COVID-19 crisis we identified two primary threats to our community. First and most immediate was the novel virus itself because little was known about its aggressive nature. Second was the collateral damage to our economy. Chaffee County relies heavily on tourism, and our campgrounds and Short-Term Rentals (STR’s) are key elements of our leisure industry market. These groups play a key role in awakening our economy and now can aid significantly in preventing community spread of the coronavirus.

The “Stay home, stay within you zip code, please don’t visit small mountain communities” message and the state’s attempts to disincentivize visitation with closures met with limited success. Individuals and families from in and outside of the state continued to flow into Chaffee County while potentially bringing the virus with them. The STR’s and campground closures meant a significant number of these people were curtailed to stay on public lands and weren’t heeding our current fire restrictions – increasing the threat of wildfire in our threat matrix.

We conveyed this dilemma to state leaders at every opportunity and ultimately asked for campgrounds and STR’s restrictions to be lifted. Thankfully the Colorado Department of Health and the Environment (CDPHE) approved our variance request enabling us to allow reopening’s.

Lodging facilities frontline staff also provide vital communication opportunities to share our community message to enjoy life, but be please be prudent – follow the social distancing guidelines, comply with masking recommendations, and use good personal hygiene practices. I often use the analogy of transiting rough air in an airliner or crossing rough seas – it may be unnerving but in general it’s safe IF we take the necessary precautions and pay attention to what we’re doing.

Our innkeepers, campground operators, and STR owners/ managers are doing their part by following strict protocols and checklists to help prevent spread of the coronavirus. This is one more way Chaffee County citizens are continuing to work together and show overwhelming unity to defeat the COVID-19 threat and restore from the crisis.

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Dan R

Danny “Dan R” Ridenour has been in radio and television broadcasting for over 40 years, starting as a senior in high school in Rogers, Arkansas. His radio career has had stops in Nashville, Memphis, Oklahoma, and eventually, Colorado. Dan enjoys being involved in the community, having been a member of the Upper Arkansas Service Club and is currently on the board of directors for the Salida Community Center and is a member of the Chaffee County Fair Committee. He and his wife Carrie spend their days doing everything the mountains have to offer: hiking, camping, fishing and skiing. They've raised 3 children and have 2 grandchildren.

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