Denver's Restaurant Expansion Program: Revenue Report Released

DENVER, CO — Denver's restaurant expansion program preserved around $287 million in revenue for local businesses, according to the city's finance department.

The revenue resulted in a projected $24 million in retained tax revenue for Denver, which "would otherwise been lost had local restaurants not been able to quickly and safely reopen for business," the department said.

The program allowed more than 340 businesses to expand into streets and other public areas.

Food services and drinking places are the "single largest contributor" to the city's sales and use tax revenue, according to the Denver Department of Finance.

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Several city departments worked with the Mayor’s Economic Relief and Recovery Council to run the program. The council is an advisory group established to support the city's pandemic relief efforts.

“The creativity and resourcefulness of our restaurant and bar industry has shined bright during these uncertain times with creative and safe outdoor dining expansions,” Mayor Michael Hancock said in a statement.

“Combined with the hard work of many city agencies to launch this successful program, these public health steps have provided hope to these businesses as we continue to focus on keeping our community healthy and supporting the safe re-opening of our economy.”

The program has been extended through October 2021.

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