I know the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging situation for everyone. Parker’s small business community, in particular, has been significantly impacted over the past several months due to severe health restrictions imposed by the State of Colorado.
The Parker Town Council passed a resolution on Dec. 7 stating its formal opposition to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) decision to move Douglas County from the State’s COVID-19 Dial Level Orange to Level Red. Among other restrictions, this change prohibited indoor dining at our local restaurants during one of their busiest times—the holiday season.
As your Mayor, I will continue to fight for our community's small businesses. I was proud to support and endorse Douglas County's successful pursuit of a variance from CDPHE that now allows increased occupancy for local businesses—including restaurants—at a level lower than the published COVID-19 Dial. We need to ensure that the spirit of that agreement is honored, and the State and Governor live up to its end of the deal of allowing certified businesses to operate at a higher capacity with that certification—without exception or restriction.
Douglas County’s COVID Best Practices Business Certification Program was approved by CDPHE and went into effect on Dec. 23. This voluntary program enables businesses who meet the necessary criteria and obtain certification to operate at a more sustainable capacity, while ensuring compliance with COVID-19 transmission controls and best practices to help reduce virus spread in our community. We are happy to see our local restaurants opening back up for indoor seating!
This program was created in collaboration with and with the support of Douglas County, Tri-County Health Department, local hospitals, business community leadership, law enforcement and Douglas County municipalities, including the Town of Parker.
Interested businesses may now apply for certification through the Douglas County website. We encourage all Parker businesses that are eligible for this new program to apply to help get our community back to doing business at a more sustainable level.
For more information on how to apply for the COVID Best Practices Business Certification Program, visit
www.douglas.co.us/certify-my-business.