Colorado restaurant shut down for opening in-person dining

DENVER (AP) — A restaurant that opened for full service on Mother’s Day in defiance of state rules banning in-person dining was ordered closed by state health officials on Monday.

A video posted by Colorado Community Media showed people sitting at tables and waiting close together in line at the counter while others lined up outside for a chance to get inside the eatery in Castle Rock about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Denver. Except for one person wearing a mask, the scene and the din of people talking appeared like just another busy day at any restaurant before the government limited eateries to all but take out service to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The Tri-County Health Department said C&C Coffee and Korean Kitchen was ordered to remain closed until the department determines that is in compliance with Democratic Gov. Jared Polis' latest health public health order. If the owners refuse to comply, further legal action would be taken against the restaurant that could include the revocation of its license, the department said.

“It is disheartening that this restaurant has chosen to move ahead of the public orders and not even consider implementing best practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is not fair to the rest of the community and other business owners that are following Safer at Home and doing their part," the department's executive director, John M. Douglas, Jr. said in a statement.

In a tweet to President Donald Trump, the restaurant's owners said they were standing up for America, small businesses, the Constitution and against Polis' overreach in response to the outbreak.

The owners, Jesse and April Arellano, could not be reached for comment by telephone on Monday. After laying off most of their staff during the outbreak, Jesse Arellano told KCNC-TV on Sunday that they wanted...