Governor Polis, in collaboration with the Colorado Restaurant Association, has proclaimed Tuesday March 16 as Dine Out to Help Out Day. Coloradoans are urged to dine out, take out or order delivery to help support local restaurants in commemoration of the one-year anniversary of restaurants being ordered to shut down.
Dine Out to Help Out Day is meant to raise awareness about the significant losses that the restaurant industry has faced during the pandemic and encourages the community to play a role in recovery.
“On March 16, 2020, restaurants were told that they must close their doors the following day due to pandemic concerns,” said President and CEO of the Colorado Restaurant Association, Sonia Riggs. “After an entire year of navigating this crisis, COVID-19 has decimated the restaurant industry. It could take three to five years, at minimum, for restaurants to recover from this, and the public can play a huge role in helping to turn this around more quickly. As much as possible, and specifically this Tuesday, we encourage everyone to Dine Out to Help Out at their favorite restaurant.”
The dining area of La Herradura in Buena Vista. Image by Henry DeKam.
With a statewide industry loss of more than three billion dollars and nearly 94,000 jobs, the restaurant industry has been one of the hardest hit over the past 12 months. Hundreds of restaurants have closed, and thousands are struggling to keep their doors open.
Governor Polis’ proclamation letter states “restaurants are a vital part of our communities, serving as gathering places for all Coloradans, vibrant mainstays in our neighborhood geographies, backdrops for life’s important moments, and boosters of civic causes; and restaurants are an essential part of the state economy, accounting for more than $12 billion in revenue and nearly 300,000 jobs.”
Melissa Traynham, Executive Director of the Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce, said it has been a long haul but local restaurants have persevered. “I am so proud of our local restaurants here and the way they pivoted and remained flexible throughout the past year,” she said.
“We saw just how innovative our business community can be when it came to delivery options, modified menus to accommodate take out, markets popping up, family dinner ideas, and so much more. It certainly wasn’t easy for our restaurants to make these changes – sometimes with little notice – but they did it with heart and commitment to the community. We are proud of our restaurants and encourage the community to continue to show them support during Dine Out to Help Out Day and beyond.”
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