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State approves El Paso County variance request to increase capacity at outdoor and indoor venues

Colorado Springs restaurants
Posted at 6:49 PM, Jun 29, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-30 10:01:27-04

EL PASO COUNTY — El Paso County has received more encouraging news when it comes to restaurants and other indoor venues.

The state has approved a variance request that will allow up to 175 people inside a confined indoor space or 50 percent of the maximum capacity, whichever is less. This includes, gyms, athletic training facilities, Indoor Water Park at Great Wolf Lodge, theaters, indoor malls, libraries, restaurants, indoor private events such as receptions and business meetings, indoor attractions such as museums and art galleries, and indoor recreation activities such as park nature centers, bowling alleys, ice rinks, laser tag, indoor gun ranges, escape rooms, and Nerfgun battles, according to the county.

Specified outdoor venues can also operate at a capacity up to the lesser of 50 percent occupancy or 250 people per designated activity. If the venue can fit more people, groups of 250 can be compartmentalized at different locations on the property.

The county said this includes outdoor attractions such as outdoor museums and the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, outdoor recreation activities such as paintball, miniature golf courses, go-kart tracks, and outdoor private events such as receptions and family reunions. Amusement parks, such as Cave of the Winds and Santa’s Workshop were not included in this request approval. The county said they are seeking further clarification from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on locations such as these.

One variance request was rejected by the state. That was to allow 75 percent capacity for shuttle bus services. The state will only allow 50 percent capacity at this time.

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Related: We're Open Colorado