Newsroom

April 4, 2025

Colorado Restaurant Association and Foundation Announce Summer, Fall 2025 Event Lineup

The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) and the Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF) are pleased to announce the return of exciting public events taking place during summer and fall 2025: Drink Red Wear Red on June 5; the Denver Food + Wine Festival from September 3 – 6; and the HOSPYS on November 10. These events help the CRA/F raise funds to support local restaurant employees through training, education, and emergency assistance and restaurant operators through advocacy, compliance resources, and community-building. Media are invited to attend all three events!

March 15, 2025

Restaurant Relief Act Passes House Finance Committee with Amendments, Goes to Appropriations

The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA), EatDenver, the Hispanic Restaurant Association, the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Denver Partnership, Downtown Boulder Partnership, and the Tavern League remain allied in supporting HB25-1208, the Restaurant Relief Act, which passed through the House-Finance Committee last night on an 11 – 2 vote after an action-only hearing.

With amendments, there will be no reduction in the wages of tipped food-and-beverage workers in those districts that have a higher local minimum wage that that of the State, including Denver, Boulder, Boulder County, and Edgewater. The existing $3.02 tip offset will remain in place for all localities, and it will be up to local governments to make changes to the tip offset in the future.

March 13, 2025

Colorado Swipe Fees Fairness and Consumer Safeguards Act Passes House Finance Committee, Goes to House Floor 

The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) remains allied with the Colorado Retail Council, the Taver League, the Colorado Brewer’s Guild, and the National Federation of Independent Business in supporting HB25-1282, the Colorado Swipe Fee Fairness and Consumer Safeguards Act, which was passed through the House Finance Committee on an 9 – 3 vote after a more than three-hour hearing.

Several local restaurant industry representatives — owners and employees alike — testified at the House committee hearing to share their experiences and support of the bill, which would eliminate credit-card swipe fees on sales tax and tips. They spoke about the enormous burden interchange fees put on their businesses and how they need relief right now.

February 11, 2025

Restaurant Relief Act Will Keep Restaurants Open, Help Fix Pay Gap for Non-Tipped Workers

The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA), EatDenver, the Hispanic Restaurant Association, the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Denver Partnership, Downtown Boulder Partnership, and the Tavern League are all allied in supporting HB25-1208, the Restaurant Relief Act, which was introduced at Colorado’s State Capitol today.

The bill would reset Colorado’s tip offset laws for food-and-beverage workers, including those in localities where the non-tipped wage exceeds the State’s.

November 7, 2024

The Colorado Restaurant Association Announces Inaugural HOSPY Award Honorees, plus 2024 Colorado Foodservice Hall of Fame Inductees

The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) is pleased to announce the 2024 class of Colorado Restaurant Association Hospitality Awards (HOSPYS) honorees, who were announced and celebrated at the inaugural HOSPY Awards Gala on November 6, at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Denver.

­The HOSPYS continues in the tradition of the CRA’s historic Industry Spotlight Awards, celebrating the exceptional talent and accomplishments of Colorado’s restaurant and hospitality community, at all levels of the industry.

September 30, 2024

The Colorado Restaurant Association Announces New Industry Awards and Gala Event: The HOSPYS

The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) is delighted to announce its new annual industry awards program and gala: The HOSPYS!  This awards program will continue in the tradition of the CRA’s Industry Spotlight Awards, celebrating the talent and accomplishments of Colorado’s restaurant and hospitality community, while introducing new awards categories, public voting for finalists, and an awards gala on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Performing Arts Complex (1350 Arapahoe St., Denver), starting at 6 p.m.

July 2, 2024

Colorado Restaurant Foundation Announces 2024 Denver Food + Wine Festival

The Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF) is thrilled to announce that the Denver Food + Wine Festival will be back from Wednesday, September 4, through Saturday, September 7, 2024. This multi-day extravaganza of food, wine, and spirits, hosted in partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (SGWS), showcases Colorado’s incredible restaurant community while raising funds to help hospitality workers across the state advance and thrive – in their careers and their lives. 

May 10, 2024

Colorado’s Permanent Alcohol-To-Go Bill Signed Into Law

It is the Colorado Restaurant Association’s great pleasure to share that Senate Bill 24-020, sponsored by Sens. Dylan Roberts and Nick Hinrichsen and Reps. William Lindstedt and Rose Pugliese, which permanently legalizes the sale of alcohol for takeout and delivery from restaurants, was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis today at Cactus Flower Restaurant in Pueblo.

October 24, 2023

Colorado Restaurant Association and Foundation Announce 2023-2024 Board of Directors Rosters

The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) and Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF) are pleased to announce each organization’s Board of Directors for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, including the CRA Board’s newly elected chair, Marc Steron, managing partner for Shanahan’s Steakhouse in Denver, who has taken over the role from Daniel Ramirez, co-CEO of Ramirez Hospitality Group, which has multiple Front Range locations. The CRF’s leadership includes Vice-Chair Chris Weil, Director of Sales, Foodservice West, for FOODMatch, Inc. and Vice-Chair of Fundraising and Vice-Chair Elect Melissa Brooks, who is VP of Human Resources for Breckenridge-Wynkoop, which also has multiple Colorado locations.

October 24, 2023

Colorado Restaurant Association Announces 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award and Industry Spotlight Award Honorees

The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Awards, who were celebrated and inducted into the Colorado Foodservice Hall of Fame at the CRA’s Board of Directors and Lifetime Achievement Awards Dinner on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at the Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs.

The CRA is also delighted to announce the winners of the CRA’s annual Industry Spotlight Awards, who will be recognized at a ceremony taking place on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at the Chambers Grant Salon in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House (1400 Curtis Street, Denver), beginning at 6 p.m.

October 2, 2023

Colorado Restaurant Foundation’s Angel Relief Fund Give-Back Campaign Honors World Mental Health Day

In honor of World Mental Health Day on October 10, the Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF) has launched a give-back campaign with local restaurants to support and raise awareness for its Angel Relief Fund (ARF).

June 20, 2023

Colorado Restaurant Association Welcomes the Michelin Guide to the Centennial State

The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) is pleased to welcome the Michelin Guide to Colorado, following its announcement last week that the Centennial State is now the eighth Michelin Guide destination in North America and the sixth in the United States. “In 2022, the Michelin Guide conducted a destination study in Colorado, and we spoke with Michelin about the excellence of the Colorado restaurant industry,” said Sonia Riggs, CRA president and CEO. “The Michelin team was pleased with the inspectors’ initial findings, and since then, the Colorado Tourism Office, led by director Tim Wolfe, has solidified the partnership. We couldn’t be happier for our industry.”

May 1, 2023

CRA Mile High Chapter and CRF Announce Return of Drink Red Wear Red at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science on June 8, Benefitting Colorado Restaurant Workers Facing Hardship

The Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF) and Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) Mile High Chapter, in partnership with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), Sysco, and US Foods, are thrilled to announce the return of our annual industry celebration and fundraiser, Drink Red Wear Red, at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (2001 Colorado Boulevard) on Thursday, June 8, 2023, starting at 6 p.m. (Tickets are on sale at https://corestaurant.org/event/drink-red-wear-red/.)

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.