Governor Polis Extends Restaurant and Bar Closures Statewide

The coronavirus state of emergency has caused the state government to step in.

March 16, 2020

Image: Colorado Governor Jared Polis provided a COVID-19 update.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis provided a COVID-19 update. @GovofCO

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Today at just after 4 p.m., Governor Jared Polis announced that all Colorado restaurants and bars will be required to close beginning first thing Tuesday; the order extends for the next thirty days. "I’m ordering no dine-in restaurants and bars," he said. "Delivery, takeout and drive-thru will still be available."

"Now, more than ever, it is important that we all do our part to stop the spread in Colorado," he wrote on his Facebook page as a note accompanying the press conference.

During that event, Polis acknowledged the difficult times ahead for both restaurant owners and employees, and pointed to state assistance such as the Colorado Work-Share Program, which allows employers to split employee salaries with unemployment benefits as a way to prevent layoffs.

Earlier today, Mayor Michael Hancock had already imposed an eight-week dine-in ban for bars and restaurants within Denver city limits, which also begins at 8 a.m. on March 17. Hancock's order allows restaurants to sell food for pick-up or delivery, too.

We'll continue to update our list of metro Denver restaurants offering pick-up, drive-thru and delivery services. In the meantime, with so many places ordered to close tomorrow, calling ahead or checking the business's website, Facebook page or Instagram feed might be the quickest way to get your favorite eatery's latest status.

Mark Antonation is the former Westword Food & Drink Editor. In 2018, he was named Outstanding Media Professional by the Colorado Restaurant Association; he's now with the Colorado Restaurant Foundation.

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