Colorado food service workers left waiting after dine-in ban extension

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - The wait for restaurants and bars to open back up at full capacity continues, after Gov. Jared Polis announced only some COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted on May 1.

Polis said in his address Monday, the new “safer at home” order involves the continuation of takeout services for restaurants and bars, and “exploring phase-in reduced capacity opening” for them.

KRDO crews went out in the city on Tuesday and talked to people directly affected by the extended ban on dine-in services.

The Goat Patch, like many other Colorado Breweries, is feeling the sting on both ends.

“We’re completely down from our distribution because no one is around to distribute to right now,” Robert Mitchell, an employee for the company, told us. Their N Cascade location also remains empty.

Tyler Hill with Loyal Coffee explained that this is even more of a burden because their margins are so small.

“Coffee shops and restaurants in general - it’s always tight,” he said.

When it comes to the promised government assistance, Chef Robert “BB” Bernet at Momma Pearl’s Cajun Kitchen told KRDO he’s not holding his breath.

“We’re not counting on it. We have to make our own way through this,” Chef BB told us. “I’ve come up with the phrase: Superman ain’t coming, we all have to be heroes for each other.”