Known as the 5 Star State Certification Program or the 5 Star Variance Program by the CDPHE, the program in Douglas County is known as the COVID Best Practices Business Certification Program and those who seek and achieve successful certification will receive designation as a Certified COVID Best Practices Business. This is a variance from the State and falls under the direction of the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners, and will be administered by the County, the Tri-County Health Department, municipalities, and the Northwest Chamber and Economic Development Council, Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, and Douglas County Libraries.

The COVID Best Practices Business Certification Program is a voluntary local certification program that enables businesses to operate at a sustainable capacity while ensuring compliance with COVID-19 transmission controls and best practices. Program success will create consumer confidence, open the economy to the greatest extent possible and control the spread of the virus in our community.

The County’s application received approval on Dec. 21  contingent on the county’s ability to meet the declining or stable hospitalization metric.   On Wed., Dec. 23, Douglas County received word from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) stating “Douglas County meets 10 days of stable and declining hospitalizations and may now authorize certified businesses to open.”  This is a variance from the State and falls under the direction of the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners, and will be administered by the County, the Tri-County Health Department, municipalities, and the Northwest Chamber and Economic Development Council, Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, and Douglas County Libraries.

Please note: Certified Businesses need to remain in Level Orange until the County has achieved Level Orange metrics for 7 days, at which time Certified Businesses can move to Level Yellow.

Eligibility and Certification Process

This program is voluntary and open to all eligible businesses in Douglas County. Businesses that have received a citation, formal notice of violation, or similar formal notice of non-compliance with public health orders on or after the beginning of the 5 Star Program on Dec. 16, 2020 are not eligible for certification.  For questions and answers please visit Certify My Business FAQs.

To enroll, you must submit a Business Interest Form stating your business is willing and able to meet all the criteria on the Business Certification Checklist. Please note:  Businesses with multiple locations must certify each location separately.

Once a business has submitted the Business Interest Form and is approved for moving forward in the Program, they will be contacted with instructions on how to submit a completed checklist confirming their compliance with the elevated Best Practices standards. These checklists can be downloaded here:

• Checklist for Fitness
• Checklist for General
• Checklist for Indoor Events
• Checklist for Personal Services
• Checklist for Restaurant

Businesses that qualify for this voluntary program will receive a certificate for display.  Click here to view an interactive map of certified businesses in Douglas County.

For additional questions please click here.

Additional Resources for Businesses

Tri-County Health Department

• COVID-19 Information and Updates
• The Business Re-Opening Task Force was created to assist businesses in navigating changing public health guidelines, as well as to answer questions about compliance. Representatives are available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. by calling 720-713-6030 or by email at [email protected]. Spanish translation available. The department also hosts weekly webinars that focus on public health order requirements and best practices. 
• Tri-County Health Department Print Materials

Colorado State

• CDPHE Print Material
• COVID-19 Information and Updates 
• Dial-Framework 
• Guidance For Businesses

Additional Forms and Guides

• Capacity Restrictions at each level (green through purple)
• COVID-19 Outbreak Report Form (Fillable)   
• Customer Screening Form  
• Employee Health Screening Form   
• Exposure Notification – Add Your Phone  
• Mask Required Signage
• Outbreak Supplemental Information
• Report a Public Health Concern
• Retail Food Public Health Order Guide    
• Ventilation and COVID-19 Guide