A statewide program that would allow certified businesses to operate at higher capacity limits than the COVID-19 dial allows will start accepting applications Friday. 

The “5 Star” Certified Business Variance Program by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment rewards businesses that implement extensive safety measures that surpass the requirements from the public health order and COVID-19 guidelines.

Certified businesses in Level Red areas such as Adams, Arapahoe, Denver and Douglas counties, where indoor dining is currently banned, would be allowed to operate at Level Orange restrictions: 25% capacity. 

In order for a Level Red county to be eligible for the program, it must record declines in the number of positive COVID-19 cases, positive rate and hospitalizations for two weeks straight. 

Certified businesses in Level Orange, Yellow or Blue counties would be able to operate at lower level regulations after meeting certain thresholds. 

“5 Star certification reassures employees and customers that businesses are adhering to enhanced guidance in other areas,” officials said in a media release.

Purple counties are exempt from the program.  

Last month, state health officials asked for public opinion when they released a draft for the program. They have since received nearly 1,000 comments from stakeholders, local governments, local public health and local business officials.

CDPHE releases draft on statewide program that would allow certified businesses to operate at higher capacity limits

Some of the requirements to be certified include:

• Having a business specific written implementation and compliance plans, filed with administrative committee
• Have a business specific plan for outbreak detection, reporting and response. 
• Sufficient quality ventilation
• Exposure notification service promotion and outreach to employees and customers
• And extra efforts to create special hours or accommodations for at-risk populations.

Each individual county will have the opportunity to apply for the program, but will need to establish an administrative committee that  that must include the local public health agencies.

Officials from other impacted entities such as the local Chamber of Commerce, nonprofits, elected officials and industry association members can also be appointed to the committee. 

In order to be eligible counties must be in compliance with the state public health orders and are working in the community on compliance and enforcement of the orders.

Each individual committee must apply to the CDPHE for approval and if approved will have to review each prospective business’ plan, complete an inspection to certify the business and continue to monitor each business to assure compliance.

In the event a business does not comply with the mandatory requirements, the committee can remove the certification.

CDPHE also has the right to remove the program from any county that is found to not be performing enforcement, or if cases and hospitalization begin to rise the program may be suspended.

If a county reaches more than 90% of its ICU capacity, the program is automatically suspended, according to the release. 

Counties interested in applying to become apart of the program can do so here starting Friday.