Parker Chronicle 1204

Page 1

December 4, 2020

FREE

DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO

A publication of

ParkerChronicle.net

INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 35 | CALENDAR: PAGE 37 | SPORTS: PAGE 38

VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 3

Tri-County rescinds closure orders

Health department says eateries failed to comply with new COVID-19 rules BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

John Jordan, owner of Tailgate Tavern & Grill in Parker, had a busy day Nov. 27 — or as busy as he can possibly be these days. The Tailgate’s outdoor patio was near capacity days after the Tri-County Health Department rescinded orders to close the business Nov. 24. PHOTO BY NICK PUCKETT

‘They’re hurting small business’ Tailgate allowed to reopen, but its owner is not happy with the indoor-dining ban BY NICK PUCKETT NPUCKETT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

The Friday after Thanksgiving was a cause for celebration for the Tailgate Tavern and Grill and its supporters. The outdoor patio on Mainstreet was near capacity Nov. 27, two days after the Tri-County Health Department rescinded orders for the Parker restaurant to close. “How can we not support them?” said Tailgate regular Peggy Schreiner on Nov. 27. “It’s an institution in Parker.”

Tailgate was one of five Douglas County restaurants that had been ordered by Tri-County to close in late November. The health department said the eateries were violating the ban on indoor dining that came with the state’s decision to place Douglas County in level-red status, one step away from a stay-at-home order under COVID-19 protocols. Tri-County has since said it came to an agreement with all five of the restaurants’ owners that allowed them to reopen. Tailgate owner John Jordan said measures like the indoor-dining ban are government overreach. “For them to just shut us down without shutting down big-box stores — they’ve been doing this now for nine months, hurting small business,” Jordan said. “They’re hurting small business. They’re letting the corporations and the big guys stay open with no restrictions …”

Gary Mandarino, a supporter and bassist of a local band that plays frequently at Tailgate, called Jordan “a true patriot.” Supporters taped colorful posters to the front entrance of Tailgate, reading “We Love Tailgate.” The Tailgate is one of the most popular spots in downtown Parker on any given weekend. Jordan sees the Tailgate as a leader of small businesses in Parker, one that needs to push back against the government orders on behalf of others. Jordan is considering legal action against the state and Tri-County Health Department. “There’s a couple thousand restaurants in the metro area that are going to have to lay off 75% of their employees,” Jordan said. “You just can’t do that to people. I know the virus is serious, but if you’re going to do that, you have to close everything.”

KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON

Many holiday attractions in the metro area carry on despite pandemic P35

Tri-County Health Department has rescinded orders to close sent to five Douglas County restaurants, located in Parker and Castle Rock, after owners agreed to follow the latest health order disallowing indoor dining. The restaurants, the health department said, had continued to allow guests to eat inside after the state moved Douglas County to level red on its dial framework, which restricts counties’ levels of openness based on COVID-19 cases. The rule was put in place at 5 p.m. Nov. 20. “Tri-County Health Department has reached an agreement with all five restaurants that we closed on Monday and therefore have rescinded the closure orders for those establishments,” according to a Nov. 25 emailed statement from the health deparment. “Our goal is to achieve compliance in order to prevent the spread of COVID, and we worked closely with the owners of each restaurant with a shared goal of helping them to reopen safely.” The restaurants sent the order to close on Nov. 23, according to TriCounty: The Whiskey Lodge in Castle Rock; The Library Co. Bar & Kitchen in Castle Rock; The Office Bar & SEE CLOSURE, P4

TITANS’ RUN ENDS

Legend closes out stellar season with loss to Valor in the 5A semifinals P38


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