DENVER (KDVR) — The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is imposing additional restrictions to the approval for the state’s high school football championship games in Pueblo.

One of the new restrictions includes not allowing spectators. Attendance will now be limited solely to football teams, athletic staff, cheerleaders, band members, broadcast staff, and other essential personnel.

The CDPHE said Wednesday the additional restrictions come as Pueblo County continues to have widespread transmission of COVID-19. Experts at the Colorado School of Public Health estimate that 1 in 29 people in Pueblo and surrounding areas are contagious with the virus. Much of the county is restricted by stringent capacity limits, as dictated in Level Red of the state’s dial.

“We appreciate the ongoing partnership with the Colorado High School Activities Association as we navigate these tough times,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director, CDPHE. “Early in the season, our organizations both agreed that additional safety measures like these might need to be taken, and now unfortunately we are there. These decisions aren’t made lightly, but they’re necessary.”

“Our administrators always advocate for the full high school experience and although disappointing, we support these tough decisions,” said Rhonda Blanford-Green, Colorado High Schools Activity Association Commissioner. “Season A football for 218 schools that competed this fall and approval of the culminating championships in these unprecedented and tumultuous times, would not have been possible without the support of CDPHE, state and county officials.”

CDPHE will continue to monitor the situation over the week. If conditions worsen, CDPHE may need to revisit the modified variance.