“Level Up” is the buzz phrase for Larimer County’s bars and restaurants. The Level Up program allows county businesses to operate one level below the county’s current COVID safety level.

So what does that mean, exactly? If Larimer County as a whole is at level Yellow (Concern), as it is currently, approved Level Up businesses can operate one level below – in this example, level Blue (Caution). Higher levels come with stricter requirements, but businesses that have been approved can operate with fewer restrictions.

Achieving Level Up status requires a lot from businesses. Bars and restaurants participating in the program must:

● Record customer names and contact information for contact tracing purposes, to be submitted in a weekly spreadsheet

● Submit to the county a proposal to enforce mandatory mask-wearing and describe how signage will be used and how staff will communicate with customers who arrive without masks

● Document use of signage throughout the business labeling 6’ distances to ensure those from different households remain 6’ apart

● Include a plan for regular sanitation and cleaning of high touch surfaces

● Include a plan for daily employee temperature, symptom, and exposure checks

● Include a plan for customer symptom screening, including protocols for those who do not pass symptom screening

● Have a business-specific plan for outbreak detection, reporting, and response

● Provide sufficient quality ventilation including an HVAC system that meets county safety guidelines and maximizing outdoor airflow

● Promote the Exposure Notification Service, through with employees and customers who sign up will be notified if they are potentially exposed to COVID-19

● Display information for customers who wish to lodge a safety violations complaint

● Maintain special hours or accommodations for populations most at-risk

● Have zero prior citations of noncompliance

● Complete a lengthy application, interview, and onsite visit process

Bars and restaurants currently operating at level Blue must adhere to the following guidelines:

● Indoors 50% capacity (max 175 people)

● Outdoors 6’ between parties

● Alcohol sales, including take-out, must conclude by 12 a.m.

● Party size is limited to 10 people or fewer

● Reservations are encouraged to alleviate crowds