Colorado restaurants can reopen dining halls and readers respond to the governor’s move

In late December, Governor Jared Polis announced on social media that on Monday, January 4, all counties of the state that are currently on Level Red on the COVID dashboard of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will be moving to Level Orange. He credited improving COVID-19 statistics in the state for enabling the change.

As a result, many companies will see relaxed regulations this week. For example, restaurants can continue to eat indoors – with a capacity of 25 percent or up to 50 customers. Still, that’s a big change from Level Red’s closed dining rooms, especially since it’s tied to the last call going back to 10pm.

But in their Westword Facebook comments on our post about Polis’ move, some readers are not raising a glass. Jeffrey says:

I see we are now using the “pretend it doesn’t exist” option.

Responds Michael:

Stay the fuck home if you’re so scared. We adults are going to fuck mature.

Sara adds:

Restaurants can definitely reopen. All its closing has accomplished is pushing people to private gatherings and places like Walmart. Let them make a living.

Emily replies:

No one drinks, eats meals, sticks forks in their COVID holes, spends hours breathing the same air, and makes new friends at Walmart …

Counters Doug:

Have them all open. If owners want to impose limits, that’s their privilege. No more lockdowns. No more mandates for face diapers. Ever!

Sarah adds:

We have to open. We have already lost too many companies.

Nick responds:

I think the plan is to lose fewer people, not businesses.

And the conversation takes a turn, thanks to this from Bill:

Ever notice how many barflies whine about Polis and COVID-45? It’s not the restaurant customers. They are barflies. They are not necessarily restaurateurs. They sell delivery meals. It is the drink that has such a high margin. Whining barflies and nagging bar owners. IF they don’t like it, get out!

Answers Constance:

You clearly don’t know business owners or anything about business in general.

Ben concludes:

Bíll is someone who clearly never scored at the bar.

Polis’s announcement surprised many health officials and restaurant owners; under the recently introduced 5 Star State Certification Program, the counties worked to lower the dial. In the metropolitan area, Arapahoe, Douglas, and Broomfield counties had already been approved for the program (in fact, some restaurants in Douglas County had already reopened restaurant dining halls); Denver just filed its application at the end of the year.

According to a hasty comment from the Colorado Restaurant Association that ended in 2020, those 5-star-certified eateries won’t be able to make a double move down – from Level Orange to Level Yellow in Douglas County, for example.

But in these uncertain times, only one thing is certain: diners can, and should, raise a glass to this state’s hard-working restaurant industry – whether it’s over-to-go dining or in a reopened dining room.

Check out our list of all restaurants and bars that will open and close in 2020 here.