The State Dial 3.0 evolved to local control starting Friday, April 16th, 2021. 

Two important statewide measures will remain in place: 

• A statewide mask mandate 
• Capacity limits for indoor gatherings 

Please watch for updates on the CDPH webpage. 

What the Local Larimer County Dial means for Business, Gatherings, Events, and Activities 

April 16, 2021 - The Larimer County Department of Health & Environment (LCDHE) issued a new local public health order to help guide the county through the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and toward a full reopening. For the most part, the order aligns local restrictions with what was Level Blue of Colorado’s Dial 3.0. This means that most Larimer County businesses will now have fewer restrictions and increased capacity limits to operate under.  

Find guidance here

The Larimer County Health Department will be working with businesses to work through the new capacity limitations. Please contact the Health Department through one of these options: 

• Call the Joint Information Center: 970-498-5500 (open Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm) 
• Text us questions: 970-999-1770  
• Email us: Submit your general questions and concerns about the COVID-19 Dial 2.0 and reopening guidance here.

To provide updates on this situation and answer your questions the Larimer County Health Department hosts weekly question and answer sessions every Thursday at 2:00 p.m. via Zoom. To help make this session as informative and helpful as possible, please submit your questions in advance.

Fort Collins

• ForFortCollins.com - a hub of education, marketing materials, and information to help the Fort Collins business and nonprofit community reopen.
• Sign up your business to be apart of the Support Fort Collins Business, a tool that maps out businesses offering online sales, gift cards, delivery, take-out, and other specials. 
• Looking for face coverings, cleaning, and safety supplies for your business?
  • Visit NoCoSafetySupply.com, a marketplace for small business safety gear. Post what you have or what you need to keep northern Colorado employees and workplaces safe.

The City of Fort Collins is launching temporary outdoor dining expansions for restaurant and bars, which temporarily allows restaurants, bars, and retail businesses to expand their business footprint onto the public rights-of-way. Businesses must apply for, and be approved to use additional public space.

 Overview: 

• Fort Collins has created a temporary program to expand options for restaurants and bars to operate in outdoor patio settings adjacent to their businesses. 
• The intent of the program is to allow for greater social distancing and safety for bar and restaurant‐goers when public health orders allow restaurants and bars to resume sit‐down service. 
• To gauge interest, Fort Collins has created an application for businesses for the City to review. 
• Final rules and regulations are in development. Under this program, Fort Collins would consider allowing businesses to expand existing patio space or establish new outdoor areas, potentially including parking lots, sidewalks, street parking spaces, and possibly closing select streets to expand outdoor operating areas. The City would maintain ADA access at all times. 

Requirements: 

• All outdoor seating must be spaced at least six feet apart. 
• It is strongly encouraged to test workforce for COVID-19.  
• Use single-use paper menus, condiments, etc. 
• Provide easily accessible sanitizing options for patrons and employees. 
• It is strongly encouraged to implement contact-less ordering and payment processes. 
• All restaurants are encouraged to use a reservation system to prevent capacity issues and patrons from congregating while waiting for service. 
• Facial coverings must be worn by all staff members. 
• Request facial covering of customers when not eating or drinking (i.e., walking past other tables to be seated and/or using restroom).
• Floor markings for traffic control and waiting queue space is highly recommended.
• Limit contact with dining guests by reducing the number of visits wait staff make to each table. 
• Maintain ADA access at all times in the public right-of-way. 

Find a list of Frequently Asked Questions here.

Outdoor Winter Dining: As winter is approaching, and outdoor dining becomes chillier, we expect tents and heaters to be added to both permanent and temporary outdoor dining spaces.

• To add heaters to your spaces please fill out a PFA permit here: https://www.poudre-fire.org/online-services/contractors-plan-reviews-and-permits/ast-ust-permit-application
• For tents over 400 square feet, or general tent questions, please contact Justin Moinester justin.moinester@poudre-fire.org.

Review the Winter Outdoor Dining Guidance.

Alcohol Sales Guidance - To-Go & Last Call:

• The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) based on the Governor’s Executive Order D2020-199 are as such regarding alcohol. County guidance. State guidance.
  • Bars may conduct take-out service. 
  • Bars that have adapted to operate like a restaurant may continue in-person service.
  • Alcohol sales, including take-out alcohol orders, are dependent on county dial level (Larimer County is currently operating in Level Orange):
    • Level Green: Alcohol sales MUST conclude by the county’s local last call time.
    • Level Blue: Alcohol sales MUST conclude by 12 a.m.
    • Level Yellow: Alcohol sales MUST conclude by 11 p.m.
    • Level Orange: Alcohol sales MUST conclude by 10 p.m.
    • Level Red: On premise Alcohol sales MUST conclude by 8 p.m. Sales for takeout alcohol may continue till 10pm.
    • Level Purple: No on-premise alcohol sales.

Apply for an Outdoor Dining Expansion Permit