At a special emergency meeting on Dec. 30, the Golden Rain Foundation Board of Directors voted 13-5 to continue the shutdown of outdoor amenities pending a Jan. 22 special meeting, when the issue will be reconsidered. The golf course, Veterans Plaza, the Amphitheater for religious services and Mission Park facilities will remain closed amid a worsening outbreak of COVID-19 cases that has ambulances

First Reported COVID-19 Variant • The first reported U.S. case of the COVID-19 variant that’s been seen in the United Kingdom has been discovered in Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis announced Dec. 30, adding urgency to efforts to vaccinate Americans. According to news reports, the variant was found in a man in his 20s who is in isolation southeast of Denver in Elbert County and has no travel history,