Denver Approves 250 Outdoor Expansions For Restaurants, Bars

DENVER, CO — Denver has approved its 250th outdoor business expansion application, city officials announced Thursday. The application is part of a program that allows restaurants and bars to temporarily increase their outdoor service capacity area, which includes expansion into adjacent streets, sidewalks and parking lots.

"This program is just one more way Denver is backing up our commitment to help our local businesses and their employees get back on their feet,” Mayor Michael Hancock said in a statement.

“Along with our residents wearing their face covering when they go out, the milestone reached today means more people will now have the opportunity to safely support our restaurants and bars, and keeping our city moving toward recovery.”

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Some of the latest street closures for outdoor serving capacity include:

• South Pennsylvania St. from Bayaud to Ellsworth;
• RiNo at 25th from Larimer to Lawrence Streets,
• Larimer St. from 27th to 30th Streets;
• Zeppelin Station at 35th St. from Wynkoop to Wazee Streets, and
• The Dairy Block at Wazee from 18th to 19th Streets.

A list of approved restaurants and bars can be found here.

Denver has approved 148 right-of way closures that include partial closures of sidewalks, parking lanes and travel lanes, the city said.

Officials are also temporarily allowing communal dining that permits multiple restaurants to share a common outdoor dining area. The first communal dining area, which was approved June 23, requires a street closure at Glenarm Place between 15th and 17th St. — adjacent to the Denver Pavilions.

The expansion program is available to businesses through Sept. 7, but the city may choose to extend the program.

Denver created a website for eligible businesses to submit a proposal for city review with considerations for safety, mobility and local emergency access. Denver has approved 83 percent of its 300 complete applications, the city said.