Newsroom

March 17, 2023

CRF Announces Colorado ProStart® Student Invitational Winning Culinary and Management Teams 

On March 16, 2023, The Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF) held its annual Colorado ProStart® Student Invitational, a competition showcasing the culinary arts and restaurant management skills of high school juniors and seniors from across Colorado. Fourteen high schools competed, with nearly 100 students in chef coats and management uniforms vying for medals, prizes, and scholarships. Odyssey Early College and Career Options High School in Colorado Springs won the culinary competition, and ThunderRidge High School in Highlands Ranch won the restaurant management competition. The two teams will travel to Washington, D.C., to represent Colorado at the National ProStart Student Invitational® from May 2 to 4, 2023.

March 6, 2023

Shari Harley of Denver’s Candid Culture to Headline the 2023 Colorado Restaurant & Bar Show

The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) is delighted to announce the return of the Colorado Restaurant & Bar (CRB) Show, taking place on Tuesday, March 21 and Wednesday, March 22 at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver. We’re also proud to share that the headlining keynote speaker of the 2023 CRB Show, sponsored by Healthy Hospitality, is Shari Harley, founder and president of Denver-based Candid Culture.

March 2, 2023

Colorado Restaurants Grateful for House Business Affairs & Labor Committee “No” Vote on HB23-1118

The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) and restaurants across the state are incredibly relieved this afternoon, after the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee voted eight to two against HB23-1118, or restrictive scheduling. The bill is postponed indefinitely, which effectively means it has no future path forward during this Legislative Session.

February 27, 2023

Colorado Restaurant Employees Speak Out Against “Unfair” Restrictive Scheduling Bill 

The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) released a letter with more than 640 signatures from local foodservice employees pleading with House Business Affairs & Labor Committee members to understand “the horrible impact that HB[23]-1118 would have on the livelihoods and mental health of restaurant workers like us in Colorado.” 

February 17, 2023

Colorado Restaurant Association: Restrictive Scheduling Bill Would Harm Employees and Crush Restaurant Viability and Growth

The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) remains opposed to and extremely concerned about HB23-1118 (Fair Workweek Employment Standards), which was laid over for action only after a seven-hour hearing in the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee last night. The bill shows a dire misunderstanding of the way the restaurant industry operates and disregards a fundamental pillar of restaurant employment: flexibility. It harms Colorado workers, consumers, and businesses of all sizes.

October 31, 2022
Colorado Restaurant Association and Foundation Announce 2022-2023 Boards of Directors
The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) and Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF) are pleased to announce each organization’s Board of Directors for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, including the CRA Board’s newly elected chair, Daniel Ramirez, Co-CEO of Ramirez Hospitality Group, who has taken over the role from Beth Gruitch, co-owner of Crafted Concepts restaurant group, also in Denver. The CRF’s new leadership includes Chris Weil, Regional Manager for FOODMatch, Inc.

October 19, 2022
Colorado Restaurant Association Announces 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award and Industry Spotlight Award Winners
The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Awards, who will be celebrated at the CRA’s Board of Directors and Lifetime Achievement Awards Dinner on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at the Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs.

September 20, 2022
Colorado Restaurant Association Announces Position on Proposition 126
The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) and its Board of Directors are pleased to announce support of Proposition 126 (Third-Party Delivery of Alcohol Beverages), which will appear on the Colorado State Ballot in November 2022.

July 6, 2022
Colorado Restaurant Association Announces Partnership with Climate-Solution Organization Zero Foodprint
The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) is pleased to announce its new community partnership with Zero Foodprint, the award-winning, California-based nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing the food world around agricultural climate solutions.

May 12, 2022
Colorado Restaurant Foundation Adds Mental Health Care Coverage to Angel Relief Fund
The Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF) has added mental health and wellness coverage to its Angel Relief Fund so that restaurant and hospitality industry employees can apply for grants of up to $1,000 to cover the cost of mental health treatment.

April 26, 2022
Support Restaurant Workers and Enjoy a Night Out at Drink Red Wear Red on June 9, 2022, at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
For 11 consecutive years, this dining and wine-tasting affair has raised money for restaurant employees experiencing hardship, while celebrating Denver’s dynamic hospitality industry.

February 17, 2022
Gary Obligacion of The Alinea Group to Headline the 2022 Colorado Restaurant & Bar Show, Presented by What Chefs Want
Tickets now available for the Colorado Restaurant Association’s two-day event, March 8 and 9.

February 7, 2022
Colorado Restaurant Association Economic Impact Data
New survey data from the Colorado restaurant community underscoring the lingering effects of the pandemic on local businesses. This data reflects the economic state of the industry based on a survey of 174 Colorado restaurants conducted between January 14 and 31, 2022.

January 25, 2022
National Restaurant Association Omicron Impact Data
The National Restaurant Association (NRA) has released new Colorado-based survey data highlighting the devastating impact the omicron variant has had on the restaurant industry so far, as well as the positive impact of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). The survey was conducted between January 6 and 18, 2022.

October 22, 2021
Colorado Restaurant Association Announces Updated 2021-2022 Board of Directors
The Colorado Restaurant Association’s 2021-2022 Board of Directors roster includes an outstanding group of hospitality industry professionals who will work tirelessly with the CRA to support and advance the restaurant industry across Colorado.

October 20, 2021
Colorado Restaurant Association Announces 2021 Industry Spotlight Award Winners
The CRA’s Industry Spotlight Awards is the only awards program for Colorado’s hospitality community that celebrates contributions at all levels of the industry, from back-of-house employees and bartenders to managers and chefs. Awards are given to honor individuals and hospitality partners who serve as outstanding mentors and allies, contributing to the community in myriad ways and pushing the Colorado dining scene to ever-greater heights.

October 4, 2021
Colorado Restaurant Association Announces 2021 Humanitarian and Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
The CRA’s annual Humanitarian and Lifetime Achievement Awards celebrate Coloradans who are devoted to the idea of hospitality and practice it in their daily lives. These individuals are recognized throughout the industry for the significant contributions they have made through their careers in leadership, service, and dedication to the foodservice industry and community.