Featuring Colorado Restaurant Association President & CEO Sonya Riggs

In this episode, Ryan sits down with Sonya Riggs from the Colorado Restaurant Association for a real-time update on the state of Colorado's restaurant industry and the growing pressure restaurants are facing from rising costs, shrinking margins, and credit card swipe fees.

The conversation centers around Colorado Senate Bill 134, a proposed piece of legislation aimed at eliminating credit card processing fees on sales taxes collected by restaurants and retailers. Sonya breaks down how restaurants are currently paying swipe fees not only on food and beverage sales, but also on the taxes they collect and remit to the government.

Ryan and Sonya unpack:

• Why restaurants say the current system is unfair
• How Visa and Mastercard dominate the payment landscape
• Why restaurants are operating on razor-thin margins
• The hidden costs consumers are already paying
• How rising labor, food, rent, insurance, and utility costs continue to squeeze operators
• Why surprise service fees frustrate diners
• How Colorado restaurants continue to show resilience despite economic pressure
• The impact GLP-1 medications may already be having on restaurant traffic and spending
• Why local restaurants matter culturally and economically to Colorado communities

The episode also highlights exciting developments in Colorado's food scene, including Michelin expanding coverage statewide and upcoming events like Drink Red Wear Red and Denver Food & Wine Festival.

And of course, the episode wraps with restaurant recommendations ranging from Shanahan's Steakhouse and Casa Bonita to Anthony's Pizza and Post Chicken & Beer chicken tenders.

Key Topics

• Colorado Senate Bill 134
• Restaurant economics in 2026
• Credit card processing fees
• Colorado small business policy
• Restaurant industry recovery after COVID
• Consumer dining behavior
• Michelin Guide expansion in Colorado
• Denver restaurant culture
• Hospitality industry challenges

https://corestaurant.org/ https://leg.colorado.gov/find-my-legislator https://realgooddenver.com/