Denver to Reopen 8 Golf Courses Tomorrow, April 22

In addition to the reopening of golf courses, more updates have been given regarding Denver and statewide stay-at-home orders.

Life will not return to normal for a long while, however, in Denver, a few small steps are being taken. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announced yesterday that eight of the city's golf courses are reopening on Wednesday, April 22.

There will be some protocols and guidelines in place as the city tests out this new phase. Physical distancing restrictions will be applied to all golf courses, including the expectation that players will observe physical distancing of at least 6 feet from everyone in their group and staff at all times.

Here are a few more things to remember if you want to head out to the links:

Driving ranges, putting greens, and other practice facilities remain closed.
You must reserve a time in advance, call the course you want to visit directly.
Do not arrive more than 15 minutes prior to your tee time.
Pay by credit card over the phone when you arrive by calling the pro shop: no cash, gift cards, credit book or rain checks will be accepted. If you are paying for a group try and have one player pay for the reservation, then settle with everyone later.
Scorecards and pencils will NOT be available. Players are encouraged to keep score on the Denver Golf app.
All reservations are made as riding and can be changed to walking at the time of check-in. Only single-rider carts will be available, persons with disabilities accompanied by a caretaker will be the exception.
Kennedy West 9 and Par 3 will be walking only.
Pull carts will be available for rent. All golf carts and pull carts will be cleaned and disinfected after each use.
All players must wear face masks or coverings in the clubhouse and when interacting with staff.
No caddies or spectators.
Bring prefilled water bottles. Bunker rakes, ball washers, water coolers, sand bottles, and towel buckets have been removed.
Restrooms on the course are closed, clubhouse restrooms will be open.
DO NOT touch anyone else’s golf equipment—including bag, clubs, balls, tees, pull cart, etc.
Hold on to all trash, especially food items, until the end of your round.
Food served on-site will be to-go only, call ahead to place an order.

Please check the City of Denver’s golf website to see the complete guidelines and restrictions.

“The courses will only remain open if everyone obeys all the safety and physical distancing requirements. We are all in this together. Thank you in advance for respecting each other by adhering to all physical distancing protocols which enables us to remain open for you to enjoy. Players must follow all physical distancing rules, or they will be removed from the course without a refund!”

Other Updates to Denver and Colorado's Stay-at-Home Orders:

Mayor Hancock also said he would extend and update public health orders restricting large gatherings in the city by the end of this week. Currently, the social distancing ordinance in Denver is in place through May 11. The statewide stay-at-home order will expire on April 16, while the Denver stay-at-home order runs through April 30. Some other updates were also provided on Monday in regards to the city moving forward.

A women’s shelter has been set up in the Denver Coliseum and opened up on Monday to women and transgender people in the city who are dealing with homelessness. The shelter will offer each guest a hot meal and a place to sleep. Hancock also announced that small businesses in Denver will start to see the first wave of grants intended to help them recover from the effects the pandemic has had. Most of the businesses that will receive the first batch of funds are owned by women and minorities in neighborhoods that are most vulnerable. The city will also begin compliance checks at residential care facilities. Hancock plans to give these facilities priority access to PPE, additional staff, and virus testing.

Commerce City announced yesterday that it will not open its Paradice Island Pool this summer to follow social distancing rules. Other water parks, like Elitch Gardens and Water World, as well as concert venues and sporting facilities, will all soon have to make the same hard decisions about the 2020 summer season.

Statewide, with the stay-at-home order set to expire on April 26, Governor Jared Polis announced yesterday that personal services like hair salons, dental offices, and tattoo shops will be able to reopen soon, as he rolls out a new phased approach. The second phase is a "safer-at-home" concept, and more details are set to be released later this week.

Springtime is perfect weather to get out and hit some shots, so the thought of getting back on the course will likely appeal to a lot of folks. How do you feel about the city of Denver allowing golf courses to reopen? Are you comfortable with the idea? We want to hear from you in the comments.