In a direct shot at how Weld County Commissioners have handled public health orders, Longmont mayor wants to deny healthcare services to Weld residents

By Kelly Ragan
In a direct shot at Weld County Commissioner’s attitude toward Gov. Jared Polis’ COVID-19 restrictions, Longmont Mayor Brian Bagley told city staff to prepare an ordinance that would make it illegal for the city’s two hospitals – Longmont United Hospital and UCHealth’s Longs Peak Hospital – to provide medical services to people who live in counties or municipalities where elected officials have refused to comply with Polis’ emergency orders, according to a report by the Longmont Times Call. 

Weld County Commissioners issued a statement Nov. 20 expressing that despite the state elevating Weld to level red on the COVID-19 dial, just one below the worst,  it would not enforce the more severe restrictions called for at that level, even as reports surfaced that there were only three ICU beds available for COVID-19 patients in all hospitals within the county’s borders. Those who enter the hospital with COVID-19 symptoms often need intensive care to help them with breathing. 

In the statement, commissioners said the state’s decision to move the county to level red “does not change the stance of the Weld County Board of Commissioners with regard to enforcement of the state’s mandates.” 

That message is consistent with what commissioners have said throughout the pandemic – state mandates aren’t enforceable by them or the Weld County Sheriff. The county spokesperson, Jennifer Finch, said previously that masks aren’t proven to work despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary. 

However, commissioners insist they understand COVID-19 is serious. 

“We’ve decided to stand where we’ve stood,” said Commissioner Kevin Ross at a meeting Monday. “That being said, COVID is serious right now. It’s spreading like wildfire throughout the county.”

He encouraged people to social distance, wash their hands, and if they so choose, wear a mask. 

The county still will not promote mask use in official communications, instead opting to use the phrase “cover your cough.” 

At the meeting, Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer reiterated that the county doesn’t have the authority to mandate people stay home. 

She also said that because Weld County is so big, many folks don’t strictly use Greeley hospitals for their health care. Many residents seek care in Larimer, Adams, Boulder and Broomfield counties. 

Kirkmeyer said hospitals that serve Weld residents, including those outside of Weld County proper, have 43 ICU beds available.

That didn’t sit well with Bagely. 

“As a fellow conservative, I find it shocking that people don’t understand that it’s not appropriate to rely on your neighbor’s resources when you should be taking care of yourself,” Bagley said in an interview with CBS 4. “…(Weld County Commissioners’) behavior is going to impact our healthcare system. It will tax it.” 

In an interview with the NoCo Optimist, Greeley Mayor John Gates said he didn’t think city government had any place in managing medical facilities. 

“My thought when I saw the mayor say that was that he’s taking his stance because he’s frustrated,” Gates said. “But I would not in a million years support an ordinance like that. That’s not our decision to make.” 

Gates said he didn’t think an ordinance like that would even be possible or legal, but he said it was possible Bagley knew something he didn’t.  

According to CBS 4, the Colorado Hospital Association said federal law ensures all patients will get treatment at hospitals. 

The NoCo Optimist reached out to UCHealth Greeley Hospital and Banner Health for perspective on the issue. 

UCHealth declined to comment, but Banner Health issued this statement: 

“As a nonprofit provider, we are committed to serving all those who are in need of health care services while complying with federal and state law. We do not discriminate in services or visitation based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or disability, and we will not turn someone away because of their geographic residence.”

Where does Greeley stand? 

The City of Greeley has pivoted several times from Weld County in how it’s moved to handle the pandemic. Most recently, the city bumped itself up to level orange while the county was still at level yellow. City council also recently voted to approve a resolution supporting the use of masks, which has been a contentious issue in Weld. 

The NoCo Optimist reached out to Greeley Emergency Manager Dan Frazen for his thoughts on the escalating tensions.

“These are unprecedented times, and it is unfortunate that we are not more united across the country, state, and county to protect and care for our most vulnerable,” Frazen said in an email Wednesday. “We at the City of Greeley are committed to keeping our community safe and our workforce and most vulnerable populations as healthy as possible in this pandemic. We have never seen this type of disaster before at this scale in this political climate.” 

Gates said he is keenly aware there are folks in Greeley and Weld County who still won’t wear a mask for various reasons – and he respects that – but Gates said riding out the pandemic and getting back to normal will require some compromise. 

“I think it’s fine to say we’re all in it together, but if we have such varying viewpoints, that would mean we aren’t,” Gates said. “I still think everyone has to do their part.”

Gates said it is and has always been important to look to and listen to hospitals to gauge the pandemic. 

“Case numbers can go up and down based on testing, but hospital administrators have sounded the alarm and we need to pay attention to that.” 

And sounded the alarm they have. 

Dr. Mark Wallace, Chief Clinical Officer at Sunrise Community Health (and former Executive Director of the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment), Dr. William Neff, Chief Medical Officer of UCHealth Northern Colorado Region, and Dr. Kathryn Perkins, Chief Medical Officer of Banner Western Region and NOCO Banner Health signed an open letter to the community.

Nearly 2,400 Coloradoans have died from the virus and spread continues unchecked in every county in Colorado, according to the letter, with 1 out of every 49 Coloradoans infected. 

“Each of us is experiencing COVID fatigue in some way. But the reality is we are facing a very steep and challenging part of this marathon battle against this coronavirus. The virus is perfectly suited to take advantage of us if we let down our guard on a handful of things we know can slow the spread: masks, physical distancing, handwashing, disinfection, small groups, and isolation when infected,” according to the letter”…It is time for all of us to lean in hard to our fatigue. The upcoming holidays are further temptations to let our defenses down. We ask you to be a strong front line to this battle. ...Let us never grow tired of caring for one another.”