5-star program approved for Pueblo County

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- According to sources in the Pueblo County government, the County's request to bring a 5-Star State Certification Program to Pueblo has been approved by the state of Colorado and Governor Jared Polis' office.

Businesses that become certified through this program are required to implement COVID-19 safety measures beyond what is already required by public health orders and guidelines. If businesses are able to meet these stricter standards, they will be able to expand operations.

For instance, Pueblo County is currently under Level Orange on the State's COVID-19 dial. If a business in Pueblo is approved for the 5-star program, they will be eligible to function at Level Yellow. Under Level Yellow, businesses and restaurants can operate at 50% capacity.

On Tuesday, Pueblo County Commissioner Garrison Ortiz unveiled the new 5-Star Program.

Ortiz credits lower COVID-19 numbers in the community as a large reason for why Pueblo County's application was approved on Monday.

"Our metrics in several areas including the two-week incidence rate, hospitalizations, and some other things all had to improve to a specific level," said Ortiz. "We have what you call a report card that our director of the health department sends out every week and we are finally to those metrics."

If a business wants to be 5-star certified it must adhere to certain COVID-19 safety measures. However, Jennifer Priest, the owner of 1129 Sprits and Eatery in Pueblo, says most businesses in Pueblo are already operating at a 5-star level.

"We were already at 95% of the work," said Priest "So the other 5% has been very easy to adapt to."

The other 5% mostly includes contact tracing. 5-star businesses are required to take the name and phone number of every patron that comes through their business.

"We have to hold (the phone number) for the 5-star certification program for 30 days for contact tracing purposes," said Ryan Cambo, the General Manager of Brues Alehouse in Pueblo.

Brues Alehouse was approved to join the 5-star program Tuesday morning. Commissioner Oritz says 30 other businesses in Pueblo County are currently being evaluated for the program as well.

"They did a facility walkthrough, and went over our COVID-19 prevention plan that we submitted as a part of the 5-star certification process," said Cambo. "They were overly pleased with everything and gave us the stamp of approval."

Not only will Brues Alehouse be able to operate at 50% capacity, but Cambo says the restaurant will be able to re-hire employees they were forced to lay off earlier in the pandemic.

"Hopefully this is one step closer to COVID being in the rearview mirror," said Cambo.

The following businesses are currently 5-star certified as of Jan. 26:

• Brues Alehouse
• Pizza Ranch
• High Desert Elite Valley Ball Club
• Applebee's (both Pueblo locations)
• 1129 Spirits and Eatery

If you are business owner in Pueblo County and would like to apply for the new 5-star certification program you can find out how here.