Gear up for Mandatory Vaxxing

Checking IDs is about to be the least of your worries.

The upcoming OSHA regulation requiring businesses with over 99 employees mandate COVID vaccinations or weekly testing for all workers means there’s about to be a spike in both those things. Here are updated resources for free, at-home rapid tests as well as no-appointment-required vaccine clinics.

Operators in Boulder County also have the option to bypass the county’s mask mandate as of this Friday by opting for an arguably more contentious vaccine mandate for guests—and in a scenario that seems like a damn cakewalk after the last 19 months, the Colorado Restaurant Association has guidance on whether you can accept digital ID in lieu of a physical card.

The following information comes from the CRA’s September 22 newsletter. Sign up to receive the full version here.

State COVID-19 Testing Program Now Offers Rapid-At-Home Testing

Governor Polis has announced that the state’s COVID-19 testing program will now include Rapid-At-Home testing that Coloradans can receive for free, mailed directly to their homes. There is no need to have a medical professional witness test administration. The state has purchased 2 million Binax rapid tests to supply this program. This could serve as an incredible resource for businesses with 100 or more employees that qualify for the vaccination or weekly testing mandate outlined in President Biden’s COVID-19 Action Plan – or for any Coloradan!

New Colorado Community Vaccination Sites

Colorado has opened four new community vaccination sites with the ability to administer up to 1,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine per day. These sites will be operating at this capacity until September 30. Appointments are not required at any locations, but you can pre-register here.

Here are the locations and information for each vaccination site:

Aurora – Aurora Municipal Center
15151 E Alameda Pkwy, Aurora, CO 80012
Drive-through clinic
Hours of operation: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Littleton – Southwest Plaza Mall
8501 W Bowles Ave, Littleton, CO 80123
Drive-through clinic
Hours of operation:10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Colorado Springs – Chapel Hills Mall
1710 Briargate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Walk-in clinic
Hours of operation: 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Commerce City – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Parking Lot
6000 Victory Way, Commerce City, CO 80022
Lot F 9/20-9/22, Lot H 9/23-9/30
Walk-up clinic
Hours of operation: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

If you would like to host a vaccine clinic at your restaurant, click here to learn more about the State’s workplace vaccination program.

Applications for Boulder County Fully Vaccinated Facility Program Open on Friday, September 24

Boulder County’s Public Health Order 2021-08, which mandated that masks be worn in all indoor public spaces, allows business to voluntarily become approved as a Fully Vaccinated Facility. Approved businesses will have the authority to allow individuals to remove masks within their designated indoor spaces. Applications for the program will open on Friday, September 24.

Learn about the application and program details and apply here.

Boulder County is hosting a cross-industry support session webinar September 23 at 1 p.m., on current public health trends in Boulder County, details on the Fully Vaccinated Facility Program launch, and legal clarifications around internal/external vaccination policies.

Clarifying Information on Digital IDs in Colorado

We have received questions recently regarding the Colorado Digital ID and would like to provide clarifying information: The Colorado Digital ID is an approved ID for age verification in a liquor-licensed establishment so you may accept it without any further proof of age. That said, you are allowed to ask for a physical ID if you prefer, and if the customer does not produce one, you can deny them service.

In other words, you are not required to accept digital IDs for age verification, but you can.

Talk to us! Email your experiences (and thoughts, opinions, and questions—anything, really) to askus@diningout.com.