Nearly 300 restaurants, bars and breweries have applied for Denver’s new patio expansion program – Denverite

Its a fraction of the eligible businesses in the city.

Nearly 300 bars, breweries, cafes, distilleries and restaurants in Denver have applied for the city patio expansion program as of Friday after the city started taking applications earlier this week.

A list provided by the citys Joint Information Center shows businesses started applying at noon on Monday after the city announced the program, which is supposed to provide more dine-in service space for restaurants to follow social distancing rules in place due to COVID-19.

Rules are still being developed, but the program would allow businesses to expand into outdoor areas like adjacent parking lots, streets and sidewalks.

The first 10 applicants include:

Excise and Licenses spokesperson Eric Escudero said over email there are 2,794 establishments in the city including bars and restaurants that could be eligible for the patio expansion program.

The city is still waiting on guidance for dine-in restaurant services from the state. The city said no applications have been approved as of Friday, though it expects to approve the first applications soon. Approval will be required from both the city and state. Food or drink establishments arent allowed to have onsite consumption until there are changes to state law, which the city expects will be announced on Monday.

As we expected, the city has received a great deal of interest in this program and its clear this initiative could meet a real need for our local bars and restaurants, city spokesperson Nancy Khun said in an email to Denverite. Although we dont have a reopening date for these businesses yet, if reopening is permitted, were prepared to help Denverites be able to enjoy dining outdoors this summer with social distancing and safety still in mind.

Lisa Sanchez owns Berkeley Inn and Nug Nugs Diner and applied for expansion program for both. The two eateries are about a block away from each other on Tennyson Street. Sanchez received federal money to help stay afloat but said this program could help expand seating for about 40 people between the two eateries and help pay a combined staff of nine people.

As soon as I saw that link come up, I said, OK, here we go, Sanchez said. It could change the game. Im struggling to pay the rent right now. If they allow me to do what they say theyre going to do, I can pay my rent and pay my girls.

Andrs Chaparro owns LaRola Urban Colombian Food at Zeppelin Station and Los Parceros, another Colombian food restaurant on Colfax Avenue near Monaco Parkway. Los Parceros has offered take-out since the pandemic started, though Chaparro said he plans on using the citys patio program to expand his existing outdoor seating space.

Right now, he has space for two tables outside Los Parceros to seat four people each. He wants to expand onto space in front of neighboring businesses and has already reached out about providing more seating. He hasnt applied to the citys program yet.

Anyone who comes here always asks can we sit because they are not yet informed about the process, Chaparro said. He estimated providing outdoor seating could triple his daily revenue.

Other restaurants may take more of a wait-and-see approach. Pizzeria Locale brand manager Chris Donato said the popular pizza restaurant is not interested in applying at the moment and instead will wait on more information about dine-in options. The restaurant has patios at two of their locations and has stayed open while offering take-out services.

Were excited that Denver is headed in this direction, Donato said. We figure there are some restaurants that will truly benefit from this. Were just not sure if were one of those restaurants yet.

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Nearly 300 restaurants, bars and breweries have applied for Denver's new patio expansion program - Denverite