Bars reopened for in-person service two weeks ago, but with the recent incline in positive cases of COVID-19, Gov. Jared Polis announced bars will be closed again for in-person services to fight coronavirus in the state. Bars may continue to sell take-out alcohol, and those which serve food and function as restaurants can continue to do so if patrons remain six feet apart, they are seated with their own party, and do not mingle with other patrons.
“We are experiencing a slight uptick the last two weeks,” Polis says. He went on to say that there are 32,717 cases.
Polis notes the surges that neighboring states are experiencing, and in efforts to avoid Colorado becoming “a mecca” for visiting bars, he’s taking measures to continue social distancing. “We don’t want to stand out,” Polis emphasizes. “There is not a way that we have found for them to be a reasonably safe part of people’s lives during the month of July, in our state.”
He notes conversations he had with the governors of Arizona and Texas, who say their states’ recent surges are blamed, in part, on large parties, bars, and nightclubs.
“Having bars and nightlife in an unsustainable way is too big of a risk in Colorado,” says Polis. “It’s too big a risk of schools being too unsafe to return to; it’s too big a risk of having to close gyms and pools.”
He continues in saying that visitors to Colorado are urged to be responsible and wear a face mask, follow health guidelines, and maintain good hygiene.
Some counties which qualify for the next phase of reopening, “Protect Our Neighbors,” will be allowed to open bars. Polis says officials are working on guidance that will allow bars to expand outside like restaurants.
State health officials say communities can start requesting approval to enter the Protect Our Neighbor phase next week. They will be approved if they can meet qualifications such as enough available hospital beds, enough PPE (personal protective equipment), and stable or declining number of hospitalizations.
