Colorado Whitewater Covid Rules and Procedures

Version 1.5 (Last updated 5/2/2021)

The following rules and procedures shall apply to all Colorado Whitewater Association sponsored events for as long as the state of emergency is in effect and the Covid-19 dial system is being used by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Any state or local law shall supersede any of these rules or regulations even if it means a trip must be cancelled. As always, participants may be asked to leave any sponsored events for any reason (including failure to follow these rules and procedures) at the discretion of the event coordinator. These rules may be changed at any time by the board. Please check back before any event for the most recent version of these procedures.

These rules apply to all participants regardless of a positive or negative covid-19 test result, antibody test result, or whether a participant has received any number of doses of a vaccine. 

However, these rules are not intended to represent the board’s opinion on how members should recreate privately. For private trips, at a minimum, we recommend members follow all state and local laws and regulations as well as the guidelines provided by the Outdoor Alliance at https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2020/3/24/how-to-get-outside-during-a-pandemic 

Before Activities and Events

1. Pre-registration. All participants must pre-register for an event either through the website or by contacting the event coordinator. Participants who do not register before an event may be turned away.

2. Number of Participants shall be restricted based on current state and local guidelines.

3. Waivers. All participants shall sign a “RELEASE FOR COMMUNICABLE DISEASES INCLUDING COVID-19” in addition to the standard American Canoe Association liability waiver. 

4. Stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, have been in close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 in the last 14 days, or tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days.

During Activities and Events

1. Masks. All participants shall wear a mask over their mouth and nose at all times during Colorado Whitewater sponsored activities and events while off the water. This includes but is not limited to while checking in and signing waivers, loading and unloading equipment, and shuttling. While actively eating or drinking, participants shall maintain at least 6 feet of physical distancing from participants from other households.

2. Distancing. Participants are strongly encouraged to maintain 6 ft of physical distancing between people not part of the same household whenever possible while on and off the water. This is not intended to restrict rescues in any way.

3. Shuttles. If shuttling is required, the following rules shall be followed:

   1. No more than 2 households shall be in one vehicle at one time.

   2. All windows shall be all the way open while members of more than 1 household are in the vehicles. 

   3. If inclement weather means extended time in an enclosed vehicle, then the event should be rescheduled.

   4. Masks or face coverings shall be worn at all times while inside vehicles.

4. Supplies. When possible, avoid using grocery stores, gas stations etc. in the communities you visit to prevent the spread of COVID-19 across communities. Secure food, water, gas, and any other needed supplies in your home community.

After Activities and Events

1. Post event socialization. All of these rules and procedures shall apply for the entirety of all sponsored events. After an event is complete participants are asked to be respectful of others and their differing risk tolerances.

2. Notification. After an event, any participant who tests positive for or shows symptoms of Covid-19 within 14 days of an activity or event they participated in shall notify the event coordinator as soon as possible. The event coordinator will notify the board who will direct further communication and action with state and local public health authorities.

Colorado Whitewater Association Compliance with Contact Tracing

1. Colorado Whitewater will retain records of activity and event participants, including contact information for all participants, for a minimum of 8 weeks after each activity or event.

2. Colorado Whitewater will share contact tracing information with state and local public health authorities upon request to comply with COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing.

Additional resources:

https://covid19.colorado.gov/outdoor-recreation

https://covid19.colorado.gov/covid-19-dial

https://covid19.colorado.gov/recreation

https://covid19.colorado.gov/public-transportation

https://covid19.colorado.gov/organized-sports

https://www.sadlersports.com/coronavirus-risk-management-in-sports/ 

https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2020/3/24/how-to-get-outside-during-a-pandemic