City of Boulder Extends Outdoor Dining and Business Expansion Through August 2022

The City of Boulder has extended its emergency orders until Aug. 31, 2022 to allow the Boulder Business Recovery Program (BBRP) to run through the summer. Since its inception, the BBRP has helped over 100 Boulder businesses and was created by the city in response to COVID-19. The program enables businesses to offer more space to their customers by expanding outside.

Edit 6.30.22: BBRP is being succeeded by the Outdoor Dining Pilot Program.

“We are pleased to be able to support our local Boulder businesses by extending this program once again,” said Community Vitality Department Interim Director Cris Jones. “The economic effects of COVID-19 continue to challenge our community and this extension will allow participating businesses to continue their current expansions as the city works with its partners and City Council to determine how the program might evolve and continue when the emergency orders do end.”

Businesses and restaurants that are currently part of the program do not need to re-apply with the city to continue using their expansions. New businesses that would like to participate or businesses that want to modify their existing expansions are welcome to apply for the extension by April 30. As part of the extension, street closures currently in place along west Pearl Street and on University Hill will remain in effect and the HOP bus will continue to run on a modified route.

The city will continue to waive permitting and licensing fees for the program. Businesses are required to retain proof of insurance nad must provide and approval letter from the property owner. There is no requirement that businesses notify the city if they do not wish to continue their expansion. However, businesses seeking extension of temporary alcohol license modifications must reapply with the City of Boulder, pay the associated state fee, and be approved by the State of Colorado by May 31.

The city will continue its work with the Downtown Boulder Partnership and City Council on a post-pandemic outdoor dining pilot, which would tentatively begin once emergency orders end and run for five years. Council is scheduled to consider the pilot later this spring. The pilot will allow staff to evaluate and study safety, infrastructure and access considerations.