Calhan restaurant spurns state health order, opens dine-in service
CALHAN, Colo. (KRDO) -- The owners of Karen's Kafe and Stephanie's Bar & Grill in Calhan say that they're reopening their dine-in service to "respect your Constitutional rights and protections," but thousands of restaurants across Colorado remain shuttered due to a state public health order.
This comes despite an order by Gov. Jared Polis for all restaurants to close dine-in service to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Polis hasn't given a date for restaurants to reopen yet.
A Facebook post early Wednesday morning indicates that Karen's Kafe is not only open for dine-in service, but their special today is the rattlesnake skillet.
However, a KRDO reporter inside the restaurant spotted kitchen staff not wearing gloves or masks, and customers weren't required to wear masks either.
Enforcement of the health order is up to the El Paso County Department of Public Health. We reached out to the department for comment, and a spokesperson said, “Public Health is aware of this situation. The facilities have been contacted and provided education regarding the public health order stating they cannot offer in-person dining.”
We've also reached out to the owners of Karen's Kafe for comment.
Karen's Kafe says it reopened dine-in with 50% or less capacity. The governor's safer-at-home guidelines indicate that non-essential offices can begin reopening this week with 50% capacity, but that doesn't extend to restaurant dining rooms.
Calhan Mayor Jasmin Thorpe, who is listed as a registered nurse in Colorado Springs on the town's website, was at the restaurant and said that she had a duty as the town's mayor to "protect the Constitution" and stand up for small business. Thorpe said she wants them to reopen and that keeping them closed any longer lessens their chances of reopening.
But despite their claims, the public health order isn't a violation of Constitutional rights due to the state of emergency that has been declared by Gov. Jared Polis and President Donald Trump.
We're working on getting more information on this story. Check back for updates.
