Will Denver’s 5 Star Certification Program Save Local Restaurants?
The business-variance program could begin pre-certifying area eateries as soon as the first week of February but increased indoor capacity will have to wait until pandemic metrics go down.Denise Mickelsen •
January 27, 2021
350 for seven days. That’s the magic marker that restaurateurs across Denver County are waiting for, the indicator that the county’s COVID-19 two-week incidence level is low enough, and has remained low enough for seven consecutive days, that they can officially apply for the Denver 5 Star Certification Program and increase the number of guests allowed inside their restaurant dining rooms.
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RANGELY | The Rangely Town Board of Trustees was called to order at 7 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2021. Mayor Andy Shaffer and trustees Richard Garner, Tim Webber, and Keely Ellis attended in person. Trustees Robie and Geer were present via telephone. “There is lots to do,” Town Manager Lisa Piering said. She reported that department supervisors are working on finishing year end projects. Marketing Coordinator Jeannie Caldwell is busy promoting economic development and applying for grant funding. Piering shared the most recent COVID-19 immunization information from Rio Blanco County Public Health. She said the first vaccination clinic did not go well logistically at the Fire Training Center because elderly participants were standing in the cold waiting. Subsequently, the next vaccination clinic was held at the LDS church.
The improvement on the COVID-19 dial from red to orange has allowed many restaurants to resume offering indoor dining to their customers, and Tuesday's announcement of the first counties eligible for the state's 5-Star Certification Program may ultimately do the same for other eateries.
The Rio Grande at Park Meadows a link in a Colorado chain that got its start in 1986 reopened its dining room on December 26, to 25 percent capacity. All over Douglas County, restaurants are applying to be certified by the county, which was approved by the state for the 5 Star Certification Program. That allows businesses that agree to enhanced safety guidelines to move down a notch on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment COVID-19 dial.
Under Level Red, restaurants are only allowed to offer outdoor dining, takeout and delivery. But under the 5 Star program, certified restaurants can operate at Level Orange rules, which allow dining rooms to reoperate at limited capacity.
Jefferson County Applies For Colorado s 5-Star Program yahoo.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from yahoo.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.