The Journal publishes local restaurant inspection reports provided monthly by the Montezuma County Health Department.
Unannounced inspections are conducted for restaurants, school, hospital and nursing home cafeterias, grocery stores, convenience stores, fairgrounds, resorts, food trucks and any event or facility where food is sold to the public.
Inspections of retail food facilities are done at least once a year.
Melissa Mathews conducts about 145 retail food facility inspections every year for Montezuma and Dolores counties as the Health Department’s environmental health specialist.
New rulesNew inspection regulations took effect Jan. 1 in Colorado.
Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations are based on a national standard for retail food sales and include several changes.
Every facility serving food to the public must have at least one certified food protection manager, who may educate other staff, Mathews said.
“Studies have shown that when there is a certified food protection manager at staff, foodborne illnesses go down,” Mathews said.
Courses typically take two days and include a test. Classes are available at 970-565-3056.
Restaurants and food facilities may use sturdy, noncommercial-grade equipment and use any size of hand-washing sink. Food may be prepared in the three-sink area previously restricted to dish washing.
Facilities must date stored foods and must control food temperature.
Customer containers may be used for to-go food, but after the container is washed properly by the facility.
Staff must wash hands between glove changes when beginning a different task. Hand-washing between glove changes while doing the same task is no longer required.
Food facilities must have procedures for cleaning up after vomiting and diarrheal events.
New violation categories are “Priority,” “Priority Foundation” and “Core.” “Critical” and “noncritical” categories are no longer used.
“Priority” and “Priority Foundation” are critical violations that might cause foodborne illness. “Core” violations are noncritical and carry less risk of foodborne illness.
Mathews said inspections now take longer because of the need to educate facility staff. Facilities are encouraged to keep a hard copy handy or bookmark it on a computer desktop.
Ute Coffee Shop17 S. Broadway, Cortez
date: July 31
priority violations: 2
1. Preventing contamination
inspector comments: Observed employee putting bread in a toaster with bare hands and then handling toast barehanded. Problem corrected during inspection.
2. Food separated and protected
inspector comments: Observed employee with gloved hand cracking eggs and then not discarding once finished. Gloves are single-use only. Problem corrected during inspection.
priority foundation violations: 1
1. Demonstrates knowledge
inspector comments: The person in charge shall demonstrate this knowledge by complying with this code by having no violations of priority items during the current inspection. Problem corrected during inspection.
core violations: 0
Nanny’s Taqueria101 S. 11th St., Dolores
date: July 30
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 1
1. Certified food protection manager
inspector comments: Owner has completed the food handler certification but will be working on the manager’s course.
Fiesta Mexicana No. 3430 Colorado Highway 145, Cortez
date: July 20
priority violations: 1
1. Property cooling
inspector comments: Observed picadillo in the walk-in at (less than) 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The product had been prepared and began cooling on 7/19/20. The product did not cool properly from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in 2 hours and them from 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit in four additional hours, Product was discarded. Problem was corrected during inspection.
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
Once Upon A Sandwich7 W. Main St., Cortez
date: July 7
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
La Casita de Cortez332 E. Main St., Cortez
date: July 9
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 1
1. Certified food protection manager
inspector Comments: Facility is working on becoming certified.
Main Street Brewery and Restaurant21 E. Main St., Cortez
date: July 2
priority violations: 0
priority Foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
J Fargo’s Grill and Bar1209 E. Main St., Cortez
date: July 2
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
Antique Corral6817 U.S. Highway 160
date: June 19
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
Loungin’ Lizard2 W. Main St., Cortez
date: June 25
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
El Grande Cafe28 Main St., Cortez
date: June 24
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
Loop’s Coffee House & Bistro795 Railroad Ave., Dolores
date: June 23
priority violations: 0
priority Foundation Violations: 0
core violations: 0
Dolores Food Market400 Railroad Ave., Dolores
date: June 23
priority violations: 2
1. Hot water and chemical methods
inspector comments: Observed spray bottle containing a bleach solution tested as a disinfectant being used for food contact surfaces. Problem corrected during inspection.
2. Reduced oxygen packaging category
inspector Comments: Fresh fish is not able to be processed using a reduced oxygen packaging. Observed fish that has been packaged using this method. The fish was fresh prior to packaging and freezing. Problem corrected during inspection.
priority Foundation violations: 1
1. Demonstration category
inspector comments: The person in charge shall demonstrate knowledge by complying with this code by having no violations of priority items during the current inspection. Problem corrected during inspection.
core violations: 0
Dove Creek Superette445 U.S. Highway 491
date: July 10
priority violations: 1
1. Cleaning procedure category
inspector Comments: Not using the correct procedure when washing hands. Problem was correct during inspection.
priority foundation violations: 2
1. Demonstration category
inspector comments: The person in charge shall demonstrate knowledge by complying with this code by having no violations of priority items during the current inspection. Problem corrected during inspection. Problem corrected during inspection.
2. Common name-working containers category
inspector comments: Spray bottle storing a purple cleaner is not labeled. Problem was corrected during inspection.
core violations: 0
Stonefish Sushi and More16 W. Main St., Cortez
date: July 24
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
Beny’s Diner200 W. Main St., Cortez
date: July 21
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
Hunan Kitchen2561 E. Main St., Cortez
date: July 21
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant332 W. Main St., Cortez
date: July 17
priority violations: 1
1. Gloves use category
inspector comments: Observed employee using single use gloves on raw chicken and then rinsing with sprayer nozzle and continuing on with other tasks. Problem corrected during inspection.
priority foundation violations: 2
1. Demonstration category
inspector comments: The person in charge shall demonstrate knowledge by complying with this code by having no violations of priority items during the current inspection.
2. Where to wash category
inspector comments: Observed employee using the sprayer nozzle at the 3 compartment sink to wash hands. Problem corrected during inspection.
core violations: 1
1. Certified food protection manager category
inspector comments: Facility still has not received certification.
Dove Creek Sinclair419 W. Highway 491
date: July 10
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0
Stateline Bar & Grill69696 U.S. Highway 491, Dove Creek
date: July 10
priority violations: 0
priority Foundation Violations: 0
Core violations: 0
Absolute Bakery & Cafe110 S. Main St., Cortez
date: July 7
priority violations: 0
priority foundation violations: 0
core violations: 0