The program provides new opportunities for year-round outdoor dining rules following the expiration of the COVID temporary program for restaurants, brewpubs, taverns, breweries, distilleries and wineries.

On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, Boulder City Council voted unanimously to implement an Outdoor Dining Pilot Program designed based on feedback from the temporary outdoor dining expansions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The five-year pilot program provides year-round outdoor dining rules for restaurants, brewpubs, taverns, breweries, distilleries and wineries.

The program enables these businesses to offer more space to customers by expanding outside with more consistent, pre-approved infrastructure for the expansion areas, and will begin Sept. 1, 2022, immediately following the expiration of emergency orders on Aug. 31, 2022, that allowed the current temporary expansions. The City of Boulder is offering various options for the consistent infrastructure for the seating areas, with varying levels of aid from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Pilot program specifics and guidelines are on the city’s website. The application will be available on the city’s website on Monday, June 27.

The first application window for participation in the pilot program is Monday, June 27 through Friday, July 15, 2022, for three-year permits beginning Sept. 1, 2022. Applications will only be accepted during a one-month application window each year after the initial application period. There will be a two-phase transition process to bring businesses into compliance with the pilot program. Phase I allows businesses choosing not to participate in the pilot program to remove their current outdoor dining infrastructure by Aug. 31, 2022. Phase II allows businesses which choose to participate in the pilot to transition their current infrastructure to compliance with the new program requirements through Oct. 31, 2022. Application, permitting/leasing and licensing fees will apply.

City Council approval includes a check-in after two years to determine the success of the pilot program. City Council will separately discuss the West Pearl Street closure later this summer.

Visit the city’s website for more information about the program and details on how to apply.

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