El Paso County Public Health issuing cease and desist order to Calhan restaurants

CALHAN, Colo. (KRDO) -- The dining rooms that were opened Wednesday in Calhan despite a state public health order have been ordered to cease and desist by the El Paso County Public Health Department.

The department confirmed to KRDO Thursday that it is moving forward with a cease and desist order to Karen's Kafe and Stephanie's Bar & Grill in Calhan.

This comes after KRDO reported that the dining rooms at those establishments were opening to customers and serving food, even as staffers didn't wear masks or gloves.

The owners of Karen's Kafe told us that they were reopening with 50% or less capacity, and their goal wasn't for profits but to "respect your Constitutional rights and protections."

An El Paso County Public Health spokesperson told KRDO Wednesday that the department had reached out to the restaurants and "provided education regarding the public health order stating they cannot offer in-person dining."

Thursday, the restaurants' dining rooms were still open to customers.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.