A long-awaited program that will enable qualifying and approved businesses to operate with fewer COVID-19 restrictions was officially kicked off in Pueblo on Tuesday at 1129 Spirts and Eatery. The restaurant is one of the initial businesses, alongside Brues Alehouse, to join the county's COVID-19 health restrictions variance program. About 30 businesses are currently in the queue to become certified through the program and raise capacity. Dubbed the Five Star Variance Program, Commissioner Garrison Ortiz has championed the program and sought state approval for its enactment since at least early December. Implementation was stalled due to the high number of active COVID-19 cases in the state, as well as the indicator level for COVID-19 in Pueblo County that remained at level Red. Others who have been involved in getting the project off the ground included the Latino Chamber of Commerce.