Dolores is feeling the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.
Restaurants prohibit indoors dining because of a state order, but takeout and to-go services are available.
Some restaurants chose to shut down temporarily until the crisis subsides, said chamber director Susan Lisak.
Hair salons and the yoga studio are also closed because of a state order.
A partial list of businesses that remain open include retail stores, The Outfitter and Base Camp gas stations, Speedway gas station, the Dolores Food Market, Dolores State Bank, Loops Coffee, Dolores General Store, U.S. Post Office, Methodist Thrift Shop, From our Heart Thrift Shop, Traditional Charm Antique Mall, laundromat, Family Dollar, GST Liquor, West Fork Gallery, Flying Pig, Rustic Style Furniture, Mancos Motorsports, Dolores Animal Shelter (curbside service only), and The Ginger Jar. The Outpost Motel, Mountain Inn and Cozy Comfort RV Park are also open.
The senior center at the Dolores Community Center is serving to-go meals at the regular times, but gathering will not be allowed.
Restaurants offering take out are Chavolitos, The Depot, Nanny’s Taqueria, Loops Coffee House and Bistro, and Montezuma Mexican. The Dolores River Brewery will not be sealing food to go, but will be selling beer to go. The River bar and Grill and Ponderosa restaurants are temporarily closed.
“Please support our local businesses during these difficult economic times,” Lisak said.
For questions regarding assistance for Colorado businesses adversely affected by COVID-19 contact the Region 9 Economic District of Southwest Colorado business hotline via email at oedit_sbnavigator@state.co.us or by phone at 720-665-7439.
The Tri-city Chambers of Commerce (Cortez, Dolores and Mancos) are collaborating with other business area supporters like Region 9, Small Business Association, Montezuma County, City of Cortez and others to start ONE Business-Oriented Facebook Group to disseminate information and share ideas with other businesses.
Local trails, the Dolores River, San Juan National Forest and McPhee Reservoir shoreline are still open. But people are urged to practice social distancing when recreating outdoors.
Mountain Film has been postponed from April 17 to Oct. 16. The Spring Fling playground fundraiser on April 4 has been postponed until further notice, and the Dolores Chamber Spring Banquet has been rescheduled to April 25.
Dolores Town Hall is closed to the public until further notice. Business can still be done by phone and email.
There will be a special town hall board meeting Monday at 6:30 p.m., but it will be by phone-in only.
Because of current social distancing requirements, the meeting will be held via phone conference. The public is invited to attend through GoTo Meeting by phone. Call (571) 317-3122. The access code is 160-059-813.
The agenda includes an ordinance declaring a public health emergency, an ordinance allowing for virtual meetings and resolution supporting the recent $173,000 grant award for the new playground project at Joe Rowell Park.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
UPDATE: La Plata County’s first COVID-19 case was tested in Cortez
