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The Governor of Colorado has made a proclamation, and this one is a lot more fun than having to wear a mask and stay socially distant. (Although please, do both!) Jared Polis has proclaimed September 12, 2020 Colorado Restaurant Day, recognizing the importance of the state’s hospitality industry and encouraging Coloradans to take a break from quarantine cooking to support the local food and drink establishments we all love.
In the proclamation, Polis stresses the contribution that restaurants make to our communities and economy, citing the $12 billion in revenue they supply and 300,000 workers they employ. COVID-19 has jeopardized a majority of Colorado’s eateries, and the new holiday is an official way of asking Coloradans for their support to keep these businesses, many of which are small and independently owned, afloat. To celebrate the day, Polis urges us to stop into our favorite neighborhood spots to show them some love, or order takeout or delivery to eat at home.
The Denver Food and Wine Festival, an annual September event, has also switched gears this year to focus on supporting restaurants statewide. It launched a social media campaign to urge Coloradans to eat out on September 12 and asking them to donate to the Colorado Restaurant Association’s Angel Relief Fund, which assists hospitality workers experiencing financial hardship. If you order from a Larimer Square restaurant or the brand new My Neighbor Felix (a pan-Mexican spot celebrating its grand opening in the former Marcella’s space in LoHi) this weekend, you’ll be invited to contribute to the fund. Diners are also encouraged to donate to the Colorado Restaurant Association’s Mile High chapter and other regional chapters.
If you take up your civic duty to eat deliciously on Saturday, share your support on social media with the hashtags: #DineOutToHelpOut and #ColoradoRestaurantDay.
Check out our list of restaurants open for dine-in service here, and a list of those offering patio dining here.
