When Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis shut down eateries in Larimer County to slow the spread of the coronavirus, restaurant owner Clay Caldwell began lobbying to keep his shop open.
“We just want to open and earn our own living,” said Caldwell, proprietor and chef of Betta Gumbo, which serves Southern fare in Loveland, Colorado, the second-most populous municipality in Larimer County.
Now, Caldwell is fighting orders to close the restaurant and threatening to disregard restrictions.
The county on Nov. 24 moved to a more restrictive status because of an increase in virus cases. When Caldwell’s employees heard about the shutdown, they asked him to oppose it.