Release Date: May 27, 2020

Restaurant Reopening Resources

Longmont Prepared to Help Restaurants to Reopen Under Pandemic Guidelines

The City of Longmont and its economic development partners have developed an expedited process for reopening local restaurants that need to expand their physical footprint to accommodate physical distancing based on new health and safety guidelines released by Governor Jared Polis.

According to the revised state regulations, restaurants will be allowed to open for on-premises consumption of food and alcohol beverages and to provide outdoor seating areas to promote physical distancing.

At eateries that want to continue only pick-up and delivery services, most of the guidelines in place during the stay-at-home and safer-at-home phases will still apply. But for restaurants that want to open for dine-in options, there is a strict set of rules. See state guidelines for restaurant and food services reopening: https://covid19.colorado.gov/safer-at-home/restaurants-food-services.

In Longmont, economic development partners – the City of Longmont, the Longmont Downtown Development Authority (LDDA), the Longmont Economic Development Partnership (LEDP), Latino Chamber of Commerce and the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce – have created a procedure that streamlines the process so that local restaurants can apply for permits that will allow for outdoor eating and drinking options to comply with the Governor’s guidance.

Restaurant owners who want to expand their footprint to the sidewalks, alleys or parking lots can start the process by completing a short form located on the City’s website: https://www.longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-a-d/city-clerk/licenses-and-permits/restaurant-temporary-expansion-request-for-covid. If the business serves alcohol, in addition to the City’s form it must submit to the City a Report of Changes - Temporary Modification of Premises Application FORM DR 8442  along with required documentation pursuant to the Emergency Regulation 47-302. The City will work to expeditiously get permits issued to restaurants without liquor licenses and will collaborate with the State Liquor Enforcement Division to get liquor licensed establishments their approvals as quickly as possible.

While the economic partners are expecting a lot of applications, they promise to expedite the process so that owners can open their establishments as quickly as possible.

“The City is doing all it can to see that our local businesses get back on their feet as soon as possible,” Longmont City Manager Harold Dominguez said. “We have waived late fees on tax payments and created centralized resources for business loans and grants. Our strategies will extend to helping our local restaurants get through the approval phase as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

For faster service, please email questions to city_clerks_staff@longmontcolorado.gov because due to the current closure of City facilities many employees are working remotely.  Questions may also be directed by phone to the City Clerk’s office at 303-651-8649 and more information can be found on the City’s website: https://www.longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-a-d/city-clerk/licenses-and-permits/liquor-licenses.