Larimer County is now among the handful of counties that have been approved by the state health department to begin implementing the 5 Star State Certification Program.

More than 34 certified businesses ranging from cafes and breweries to an escape room reopened to the public at 25% indoor capacity limit, which is higher than the current state COVID-19 dial allows for Level Red counties.

“Yesterday felt a little bit like Christmas morning as we watched restaurants reopen their dining rooms. It’s also inspiring to see the business community come together and collaborate with other leaders and agencies,” said Laura Levy, the pandemic recovery manager for Larimer County.

The Waffle Lab, one of the businesses deemed eligible to open on Wednesday, posted on social media with joy.

“We are freaking thrilled to announce that we received approval through the level up program to reopen our dining room,” the post read.

CDPHE deems Broomfield County eligible for the 5 Star State Certification application

Similar sentiment was shared by the folks at C.B & Potts that’s attached to Collindale Golf Course.

“IT’S A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE! OUR INSIDE DINING IS OPEN!,” the post read. 

Larimer County joins Douglas and Summit counties as the only three counties that are allowed to begin implementing their local 5 Star Certification programs.

Thirty-three businesses opened on Wednesday in Douglas County and as of Tuesday, more than 130 restaurants in Summit County have taken advantage of being able to become a certified business.

Douglas County first in the metro to be eligible for the 5-Star Certification Program

Although not currently eligible for the program, officials from Arapahoe County and most recently Jefferson County have submitted applications to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and are awaiting approval.

Others, including Adams, Boulder and Denver counties, have not submitted applications as of Thursday.

Officials from Boulder and Denver counties have stated in recent days that when eligible, they will apply to the program.

Tammy Vigil, a spokeswoman for Denver’s Department of Public Health and Environment, previously said that officials expect to apply sometime in January.

However, in Adams County, officials have not determined whether they will apply once they are deemed eligible by the state, said Christa Bruning, the director of communications for the county.

“We’re not eligible to apply yet because we’re also under a health order from Tri-County Public Health. I don’t know if we will apply once we are eligible, but we’ll make that determination at that point,” said Bruning.

More than 130 Summit County restaurants reopen to indoor dining under certification program

In order to become eligible for the program, a county currently in Level Red must show a declining number of COVID-19 cases, positivity rate and hospitalizations over a two-week span, according to the 5 Star State Certification Program’s guidelines.

Although Broomfield has not yet applied to CDPHE to gain approval of the certification program, Carolyn Romero, the chief communication officer for the county, said it is actively in the process of applying after receiving news that it is eligible.

Arapahoe County submitted its application to the state on Tuesday and most recently, Jefferson County on Wednesday.

In Jefferson County’s proposal, officials said its “emphasis will be on restaurants without a (drive-thru) option.” County officials say giving those businesses an opportunity to reopen could be life saving.

“We want to get these businesses open because people want and need to make a living,” said Jefferson County Commissioner Casey Tighe.

“We’ve asked everyone in the county to sacrifice so much this year, so if people are acting the right way and if businesses are operating in a way that’s safe for everybody, let’s get them open and get business going.”