Colorado restaurants could reopen dining rooms, and readers react to governor’s move

Late on Dec. 30, Governor Jared Polis announced on social media that on Monday, Jan. 4, all of the state’s provinces currently on Level Red will move to Level Orange’s COVID dashboard from Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment. He attributed the improvement to COVID-19 statistics in the state because he made the change possible.

As a result, many businesses will see relaxed regulations this week. Restaurants, for example, will be able to eat indoors – with a capacity of 25 percent or a maximum of fifty customers. But still, it’s a big change in Level Red’s closed dining rooms, especially since it’s linked to the last call back after 10pm.

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

I see we are now taking the option “pretend it does not exist”.

Reply Michael:

Stay the fuck at home if you’m so fucking scared. Our adults go to fucking adult.

Add Sara:

Restaurants should definitely be re-admitted. The only thing they closed was pushing people into private gatherings and places like Walmart. Let them make money.

Emily’s Answers:

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

Counters Doug:

Let everyone open. If owners want to set limits, it is their privilege. No more locks. No more mandates for face diapers. Ever!

Add Sarah:

We have to open up. We have lost too many businesses.

Reply Nick:

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

And the conversation takes a turn, thanks to Bill:

Have you ever noticed how many bats whine about Polis and COVID-45? These are not the restaurant customers. These are flying flies. These are not restaurant owners per se. They sell delivery food. It is the drink that has such a high margin. Whining flies, and whining bar owners. IF they do not like it, go away!

Answers Constancy:

Of course, you know no business owners or anything about business in general.

Exit Ben:

Bíll is someone who obviously never passed the bar.

Polis’ announcement surprised many health officials and restaurant owners; under the recently launched 5-star certification program, provinces have been working to move away from the dial. In the metro area, the provinces of Arapahoe, Douglas and Broomfield have already been approved for the program (in fact, some restaurants in the Douglas County restaurant have reopened restaurants); Denver only applied at the end of the year.

According to a quick explanation from the Colorado Restaurant Association that ended 2020, eateries with a 5-star certification will not be able to make a double move from the knob – from, for example, Orange to Level Yellow in Douglas County.

But in these uncertain times, only one thing is certain: Diners can raise a glass to the hard-working restaurant industry of this state, and it must – whether it’s food or in a reopening dining room.

See our list of all the restaurants and bars that opened and closed in 2020.