Boulder restaurants can now spread onto sidewalks

A recently approved law will allow businesses on the Hill and Pearl St. to set up outdoor seating on public sidewalks.

Restaurant and cafe owners say they're happy about the new law. Andrew Ramsey, a worker at Half Fast Subs, says he thinks it's a good idea.

"I feel it's a very positive move. The outdoor flow from the whole Pearl Street, it's such a good flow," Ramsey said.

With so many coffee shops and other restaurants doing this anyway, officials say they might as well make it legal.

The new law stipulates that businesses can't serve alcohol on public sidewalk seating, and they must remove it between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Some critics say this could create a safety issue for the many pedestrians in Boulder.

"It could be kind of insane...There may be some safety issues, but restaurant owners are going to be very conscious of it, because now that it's legal it's up to the restaurant managers to manage it and keep it safe," Ramsey said.