Hundreds of Colorado restaurants were given more than $1 million in grants through the state’s most recent round of the Winter Outdoor Dining Fund, Gov. Jared Polis announced Tuesday.

The program, funding outdoor dining spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic, is in partnership with the Colorado Restaurant Association, the Colorado Restaurant Foundation, Xcel Energy and the Xcel Energy Foundation.

“In a year of challenges, our restaurants, bars, and food trucks and workers have faced hardship and remained resilient through it all,” Polis said.

“This new round of grants from the Winter Outdoor Dining Fund will allow our partners to implement creative solutions, remain in operation and continue to serve their customers while inspiring consumer confidence.”

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This round provided grants to 260 restaurants in 30 counties. The grants can be used for the design, construction, fees and supplies of outdoor dining spaces, including permits, tents and heaters.

Indoor dining is currently closed or restricted to 25% capacity in 56 of Colorado’s 64 counties because of COVID-19 public health orders.

Theo Otte, chef and co-owner of the Grand Junction restaurant 626 on Rood, called receiving the Outdoor Dining Fund grant “a lifeline.”

“This winter of COVID has been tough, but the grant is the kind of help that we can use right away to begin to grow back our business,” Otte said, “while also giving us hope and assurance that things can and will get better in the coming months.”

The first round of grants provided funding to 129 restaurants. The fund has raised $2,418,305 to date.

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The Winter Outdoor Dining Fund was started by Xcel Energy’s $500,000 contribution to the CRA to support local restaurants through the winter. Xcel is also matching donations, adding $50,000 for every $500,000 raised up to $250,000.

Other contributors include the Colorado Health Foundation, MDC Holdings, New Belgium Brewing Company, DoorDash, Leprino Foods and the Denver Broncos. CHF also donated $350,000 for restaurant owners who are people of color.

“This is not a silver bullet – restaurants still need significant support if they are to make it to the other side of this crisis – but it certainly helped some restaurants keep their doors open for a few more months,” said Sonia Riggs, CEO of CRA.

“That gets them closer to the finish line.”