Business owners beware: Weld County might not enforce state mandates, but the Liquor Enforcement Divison is in town and taking names

By Kelly Ragan
When Matt Estrin heard the state was moving Weld County to level red on the COVID-19 dial Sunday, he reached out to everyone who had reservation at his Greeley Hatchet House. He asked if they could reschedule in light of the new restrictions. 

Estrin, owner of 477 Distilling, formerly known as Tower 56, and Greeley Hatchet House, said he sent out the emails Monday morning. There was one reservation for Monday night that asked if they could still do it since it was such short notice.

“We don’t want it to look like we were trying to be non-compliant,” Estrin said. “It was one group with 10 people in it. We split them into two lanes so there was 24 feet of distance between them. We weren’t being careless – we were just trying to honor this last reservation.”

Since it was the day after the new restrictions went into effect, Estrin said he didn’t think it would be a big deal. 

But that night, the state Liquor Enforcement Division stopped by. 

“He told us we needed to shut down, so we did,” Estrin said. “We kicked the group out. We didn’t get a fine, but he said he’d be back to see if we were closed.” 

Estrin said the same agent stopped by 477 Distilling, that night as well – but 477 Distilling had complied with all the rules, so there was no trouble. 

Gov. Jared Polis announced Tuesday that Colorado businesses that decide not to comply with restrictions could lose their licenses – even if their county (ahem, Weld) isn’t enforcing the rules. 

It’s a lot like how the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment can move to suspend or revoke licenses when restaurants have salmonella outbreaks. 

While the state has mandated tighter restrictions as Weld has moved to level red, Weld County Commissioners said they won’t enforce those mandates. 

Ronica Rueb, owner of Garden City’s White Horse Inn, said the state Liquor Enforcement Division stopped by her bar as well.

She said her license wasn’t pulled and she didn’t get a fine, but that’s because she said she would comply. 

Rueb said she’s frustrated, especially because when Weld went from yellow to red, retail capacity actually increased from 25% to 50%, while bars and restaurants had to limit their capacity or close. 

“How do you pick and choose who you’re going to bankrupt?” She said. “It’s really not fair.” 

Rueb said she’s also frustrated that the state hasn’t offered more financial assistance to local businesses or their employees even when it’s making such a big ask. This time around, she said, there hasn’t been a federal Paycheck Protection Program or a stimulus check. 

“The state still wants us to pay our employees, but with what?” She said. 

Rueb said she plans to meet with some other restaurant and bar owners in Loveland who plan to go against the restrictions. She said she wants to figure out what her legal options really are. 

Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Bianca Fisher said that while she’s seen a mixed response from local businesses, the majority have embraced what the state has asked them to do. 

“The first time around, the restrictions created a ton of confusion and frustration,” Fisher said. “This time around, it’s not so much confusion, but frustration is high.” 

 Many business owners feel they have to choose which guidelines to follow, she said – whether that’s the state’s or the county’s. 

“It creates an unequal playing field,” Fisher said. “But those who are choosing to follow the state guidelines are resolved enough to do so without the support of the county.” 

While it’s easy to get frustrated, Fisher said she’d rather focus on the good – like how people can support local businesses through the pandemic and how local business owners are working toward creative solutions. 

“This is a tough, tough season to be in, but we’re going to give it everything we’ve got,” Fisher said.