CAR COVID-19 Update: Stay at Home Order and Essential Services Interpretation

With the continually evolving COVID-19 circumstances that are impacting all of our personal and professional lives, the Colorado Association of REALTORS® staff and leadership team are committed to providing you with timely, factual information throughout this crisis.

CAR has been in communication with the Attorney General’s office and has learned that the Third Updated Public Health Order 20-24 that was issued in conjunction with the Stay at Home order (Executive Order D 2020 017) does not consider in-person showings and open houses to be a critical business/service. According to the Attorney General’s office, only real estate transactions that actually transfer real property ownership (Closings) are permissible and even they must comply with the Social Distancing Requirements set forth in the Health Order.

We are expecting further and more detailed interpretation and guidance as well as potential restrictions on business activities across a wide range of sectors, including real estate activities and other services previously mentioned under existing orders from the state Attorney General’s Office. We are working to more specifically clarify an interpretation of approved real estate activities that, according to the Attorney General, could potentially expand public risk and exposure.

In the coming hours, we’re also anticipating additional information from the Governor’s office and Attorney General regarding the statewide stay-at-home order and the impact of some of the critical businesses mentioned in the Governor’s Order.  In addition, we have solicited guidance from the Division of Real Estate with regard to the Attorney General’s interpretation.

Having successfully lobbied on your behalf to ensure the inclusion of some real estate in the Governor’s list of approved essential services, we are equally motivated to do our part and adhere to the mandates of the government, healthcare and other experts who are calling upon us all to do our part to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 and the risk to the public. We are focused on protecting you and your businesses, while we are equally focused on doing everything we can to help be a part of the solution and to help save lives.

Once we are able to hear and read any forthcoming updates from the Governor and the Attorney General’s office in the days ahead, we will evaluate and interpret that information and share pertinent changes to our industry practices with you.

Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do in support of our industry, your fellow members, clients, neighbors, and communities as we continue to navigate through this rapidly moving and unprecedented challenge.