DENVER (KDVR) — The City and County of Denver is taking steps toward reopening as the State of Colorado lifts its COVID-19 dial framework and hands control over to county health departments.
Starting immediately, Denver has lifted its outdoor mask requirement to line up with what neighboring counties have already done. Masks will still be required indoors and on public transportation.
Additionally, Mayor Michael Hancock announced that starting on Friday most businesses will be allowed to operate at Level Blue capacity restrictions. This means there can be 100% capacity, as long as all groups remain six feet apart.
At the The Bardo Coffee House, there was hope they’d go a little further.
The coffee shop space can only accommodate a limited number of people due to space issues.
“It means nothing to us. It doesn’t make any difference,” said Bardo’s owner Chris Graves.
Level Blue: Caution 3.0 Dial Update:
- Bars can operate at 25% capacity or 75 people, whichever is fewer
- Restaurants can operate with 100% capacity with 6 feet of spacing between groups
- Last call for bars and restaurants will be at 2 a.m.
- Gyms can operate with 100% capacity with 6 feet of spacing
- Retail, offices and non-critical manufacturing can now operate at 75% capacity
- Outdoor events no longer have state-capacity restrictions, counties can decide
These changes will be reassessed in early May.
“Based on key public health factors, we believe it is necessary to maintain many requirements and restrictions and the dial for at least the next 30 days,” Hancock said.
Over at My Neighbor Felix LoHi, capacity stays the same too. But there’s hope more changes are coming soon.
“For us to move from yellow to blue us showing that we are all moving forward and we are seeing the light at the end do the tunnel,” said VP of Operations Kasie Waxman.
The changes we are told are being made in alignment with most other Denver Metro Counties are doing with their public health orders.
However, Denver’s order will not be similar to Douglas County’s order which will allow businesses to open at 100% capacity.
While the State of Colorado is doing away with the COVID Dial on Friday, Denver will continue to use the designations, especially as infection rates continue to climb among a younger demographic.
Vaccinations, the mayor said, are key to getting things back to normal.
The folks over at The Bardo can’t wait.
“I’m hoping that by mid-July were looking at like putting our tables back and setting up our living room which is what a lot of customers love,” said Graves.