El Paso County Public Health will send cease-and-desist letters to two Calhan restaurants that opened Wednesday in defiance of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’ order that dine-in service remain closed because of the coronavirus, officials said Thursday.

The department will be “moving forward” with issuing the reprimand to Karen’s Kafe and Stephanie’s Bar and Grill, Public Health spokeswoman Michelle Hewitt said.

The two restaurants had planned to reopen for socially distanced dine-in service Wednesday in conjunction with Calhan’s Western Omelette 3, but the owner of the breakfast eatery, Bill Borders, reversed course after receiving a call from county Public Health, he told The Gazette.

The pandemic has hurt the businesses “drastically,” Borders said. Karen Starr, owner of Karen’s Kafe and Stephanie’s Bar and Grill, said she’s seen a 90% reduction in business with carryout and delivery the only revenue still coming in.

After the governor’s stay-at-home order was lifted last week, phased reopenings with strict social-distancing guidelines have been in place for businesses like retail and salons. So far, the state has not given a reopening date for industries such as gyms and restaurants.

“Violation of public health orders is a criminal offense and could also affect retail food establishment licensing,” a Public Health spokeswoman said. “That said, please know that El Paso County Public Health … has a history of robust collaboration with our retail food partners, and we are committed to continuing to work together to find position solutions.”

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