Colorado Restaurant Association & Foundation

🚀 Exciting news from the CRF Apprenticeship program: We're launching a new mentorship program! 🎉 Our seasoned apprentices will now have the opportunity to virtually mentor current apprentices, fostering peer-to-peer connections and growth. This initiative is yet another way the CRF is strengthening industry connections and building a brighter future together. Meet the apprentices who have completed their training and are on their way to becoming mentors. All are certified line cooks: Julia Grote - The Butchery Bryant Wright - Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center Owen Kunselman - Panzano (currently employed at Mercantile Dining and Provision) #corestaurants #coloradorestaurants #futureofwork #apprenticeshipcolorado

CRA chapter members: Join us at the table and help your community thrive! Chapter Board of Directors applications are now open! This is a GREAT way to get involved, work with your local restaurant community, and help shape legislation that will affect your business. And, as a board member, you'll be among the first to get legislative updates and learn about compliance issues facing your business. Applications are due on August 31. Visit the link below to learn more and apply. https://lnkd.in/gFzSHdHs #corestaurants #coloradorestaurants #coloradorestaurantassociation

The City of Denver has announced its annual minimum-wage rates for 2025, which will increase the non-tipped wage to $18.81 per hour and the tipped wage to $15.79 per hour, as of January 1. This reflects an increase of $0.52 per hour over the previous minimum wage. How will the increase in Denver’s minimum wage impact your business? Click the link below to take a flash survey and let us know... so we can advocate for your business! https://lnkd.in/gWrXNMgE

The Denver Food + Wine Festival is coming up September 4 - 7! 🍴 Join us for the culinary celebration of the year and our biggest fundraiser. Learn more & view the events taking place over four days at https://lnkd.in/dpembzPF.

We're hiring! Please spread the word and help us find the next member of our rockstar team. https://lnkd.in/gzUbKE2K

Colorado operators: The new DOL Overtime Final Rule began last week, on July 1, raising the standard salary threshold for overtime pay to $43,888 annually. For more information on this rule, visit the link below. Consider becoming a CRA member, too, to receive our info-packed newsletters! Restaurant operators should take the following measures in regard to the Overtime rule: 1. Review job duties to ensure correct classification (exempt vs. non-exempt) 2. Check payroll records to identify exempt employees below the new threshold 3. Consider adjusting salaries or reclassifying employees as non-exempt and tracking hours for overtime pay 4. Seek guidance from a local employment attorney to ensure compliance with the Final Rule and relevant laws #corestaurants #CRA #compliance #restaurantlife https://lnkd.in/eqWdrPUp

Two Durango restaurants have joined the Colorado Restaurant Foundation's Apprentice Program!👏 Colorado is proud to be one of the few states selected to implement certified apprenticeship programs, launched through a partnership with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. These workforce development programs help Colorado restaurants and hotels expand their teams at a crucial time in our industry’s history. Carver Brewing Company in Durango now has its first Kitchen Manager apprentice: Shannon Veeder. Carver Brewing Co is also a recipient of the Work-Based Learning Incentive (WBLI) grant, which is a state-funded program that provides incentives for Colorado employers interested in growing and diversifying Colorado’s experiential-learning system to create new or enhance existing work-based learning programs for youth and adults. Manna Soup Kitchen is piloting the Colorado Restaurant Foundation's new Culinary Bridge Internship Program, which gives young professionals a look at careers in the restaurant industry before they become certified apprentices. Manna Soup Kitchen currently has SIX interns completing a month-long internship, led by culinary instructor Megan Feuerbacher. Visit the link in our bio to learn more about CRF's Apprentices Program and how it can help your business! #corestaurant #futureofwork #coprostart #coloradorestaurants

📣 Call for nominations! YOU can help the Colorado restaurant industry succeed. @corestaurants members of one year or more are invited to apply to the Colorado Restaurant Foundation Board of Directors… which is perfect for those industry folks who are passionate about helping our industry’s employees advance and thrive. Are you interested in being at the table to set the strategy for the future of the CRF? Would you like to get to know other leaders to share ideas and discuss workforce development, training, and health & wellness in the restaurant and hospitality industry? If so, serving on the CRF Board of Directors may be a great choice! If you're interested, please fill out the nomination packet through the link below and return it by Monday, June 24, 2024. #strongertogether https://lnkd.in/gBWQUJyd

Big win for the Colorado Restaurant Association & Foundation and restaurants around the state. To-go alcohol now permanent!!!! www.lakelandlocal.co Lakeland Marketing #eatlocal

🎉It’s a happy Friday indeed! Alcohol to go is now permanent in Colorado thanks to the signing of Senate Bill 24-020. ℹ️The bill, sponsored by Senators Dylan Roberts and Nick Hinrichsen and Representatives William Lindstedt and Rose Pugliese, permanently legalized the sale of alcohol for takeout and delivery from restaurants. 💸Alcohol to go has been a vital source of revenue for restaurants since the early days of the pandemic and we’re thrilled it can continue from now on! 📃The Colorado Restaurant Association is grateful to the bill sponsors, its partners, including the Tavern League and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, and the Colorado Governor’s Office, for their support. Cheers!