EL PASO COUNTY — The City of Colorado Springs announced Wednesday that a regional coalition including El Paso County, the City of Colorado Springs, the City of Fountain, the City of Manitou Springs, the Town of Monument, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, local hospitals, and law enforcement will jointly apply to the State to re-open local businesses.
Currently the state's 5 Star Program is the only option for businesses to increase capacity limits and for restaurants to provide indoor dining while in level red on the state’s dial framework.
The release from Colorado Springs said the local application will initially apply to restaurants, which are the businesses most effected by recent regulations.
“The success of a program of this magnitude hinges on the whole-hearted support from our community coalition,” said Dirk Draper, President and CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC. “And this program is critical for our local businesses most impacted by COVID protocols to reopen as quickly and as safely as possible.”
Based on the State’s criteria, the region may be eligible to apply to the State on January 1, 2021, according to the City of Colorado Springs.
The local application reflects a regional approach to implement this program. Municipalities such as the City of Colorado Springs, Fountain, Manitou Springs, Monument, will each directly implement portions of the plan and supply resources from their respective jurisdictions. Information on contribution of resources will be released as details are finalized, the City of Colorado Springs said.
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