Customers are returning to Colorado restaurants, bars, retail shops and other businesses, but they may not have anyone to take their order and serve them, help them find merchandise or take their payment.
That s because many businesses in the state s service sector are struggling to hire enough workers to handle the increased number of customers and sales now that many COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have been lifted. Business owners report they can t get anyone to respond to their job postings and help-wanted ads, let alone show up for an interview, accept a job and start working.
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment adopted an emergency rule last week designed to push more people receiving unemployment benefits to return to the job market. The rule will cut off jobless benefits if applicants fail to show up for a scheduled interview or first day of work, which has become a growing problem.
Customers are returning to Colorado restaurants, bars, retail shops and other businesses, but they may not have anyone to take their order and serve them, help them find merchandise or
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Dealer Deb Ortiz works the Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em Table at the Wildwood Casino in Cripple Creek on Thursday, April 29, 2021. This weekend will be the debut of no-limit betting in three mountain gambling towns, including Cripple Creek, Black Hawk and Central City. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette
Norma Engelberg/Pikes Peak Newspapers
Norma Engelberg/Pikes Peak Newspapers