| CARES Act Funding |
Human Needs Recovery |
Public Health |
Variances | Volunteer/Donate |
ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Small Business Grant Program
Small businesses countywide with physical locations and 100 or fewer employees may be eligible for COVID-19 impacts reimbursement grants of up to $10,000, funded through the County’s share of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, distributed through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). For more information click here.
Property Owner Preservation Program:
Gov. Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs announced the Property Owner Preservation program, resulting from state House Bill 20-1410, a recently-signed act that provides $20 million in direct rental and mortgage assistance to Coloradans experiencing financial need, including $350,000 for legal aid for renters at risk of eviction. Income restrictions may apply based on the chart listed at tinyurl.com/IncomeRequirement. For example, the maximum monthly household income for the month prior to a request for assistance in Denver metro-area counties is $4,579.
Landlords and property owners can apply for assistance on behalf of multiple tenants, and tenants can also apply on their own. Visit https://cdola.colorado.gov/rental-assistance or call 303-864-7810 for the steps to apply.
Douglas County Disaster Emergency Waivers for Businesses to Address COVID-19 Safety Provisions
In anticipation that some businesses will need to modify buildings to accommodate social distancing and other safety measures aimed at minimizing the transmission of COVID-19, the Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution to temporarily enable the Planning Director to grant waivers to some zoning requirements so that businesses are able to make operational modifications quickly and inexpensively. Examples of the types of modifications that may be requested are expanding the seating area of a restaurant into a patio area, converting parking areas to drive-up lanes to provide curb-side takeout, or adding an external door to enable better circulation within a store.
Please contact Planning Services at 303-660-7460 or [email protected] to inquire about your business needs.
Tri-County Health Department’s Business Re-Opening Task Force
This Task Force was developed to support businesses as they operationalize COVID-19 plans for reopening as an increased number of businesses begin operating under the state-wide Safer-At-Home Order in Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties. Businesses can access this service through email at [email protected] and by phone at 720-713-6030.
For businesses seeking clarity as to how the Safer at Home order affects you, please contact the Tri-County Health Call Center at 303.220.9200 or via email [email protected]. In addition, DORA regulated facilities, including but not limited to, dentists, acupuncturists, physical therapists, optometrists, and hair salons may refer to https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CODORA/bulletins/288ba4e and https://covid19.colorado.gov/safer-at-home?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery for additional information.
Energize Colorado Gap Fund
The Gap Fund will provide more than $25 million in small business loans and grants to sole proprietors, businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 25 full-time employees. The application will open in the coming weeks. More information can be found here.
Unemployment Insurance Claims & Employment Needs:
On April 20, 2020, the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment will begin taking unemployment benefit applications under the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act), paying the additional $600 per week in unemployment benefits. For more information click here.
- Department of Labor
- OnwardCO.org is a COVID-19 response site that will provide support for individuals in Colorado impacted by job loss by connecting them to essential services, online training programs, and immediate employment opportunities.
- A/D Works has created a COVID-19 page for job seekers and businesses in need of employees.
- File for Unemployment (individuals)
Paid Leave Benefits:
- Colorado Health Emergency Leave Pay
- Families First Corona Response Act – Employee Paid Leave Rights
- Social Security Administration Corona Virus updates
Uninsured Enrollment Information
- Uninsured enrollment information – the State has opened a window to get insurance.
- Information on how uninsured individuals can sign up for health insurance
Funding Resources:
The SBA launched a new website that outlines all of their programs at Sba.gov/coronavirus Small Business Administration Loans Information:
- Payroll Protection Program Made Easy (pdf)
- Find Eligible Lenders near you – Use this tool to find a nearby lender eligible to issue a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program.
- The CARES Act includes up to $349 billion for businesses with less than 500 employees to be used toward job payroll expenses, mortgage, utilities and other expenses.
- If you maintain your workforce, SBA will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that are used to cover the first 8 weeks of payroll and certain other expenses following loan origination.
- You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Lenders will begin processing loans on April 3rd.
- The Paycheck Protection Program will be available through June 30, 2020.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Loan Advance
- Small businesses are eligible for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000.
- The advance will be available within 3 days of application and will not have to be repaid.
- Small businesses can receive up to $2 million of working capital loans that can provide economic support to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
- The SBA will pay the principal and interest of new and current 7(a) loans for a period of 6 months.
- Small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender can access up to $25,000 to bridge the gap while applying for long term assistance, such as the SBA EIDL.
- If a small business has an urgent need for cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan.
- Apply through an Express Bridge Loan Lender
Colorado SBDC Preparedness and Continuity COVID-19 Small Business Response Resources (pdf)
The USDA is offering a Business & Industry Guaranteed Loan Program to help rural communities at this time. This program applies to rural areas outside and city or town with a population under 50,000 (for instance, Sedalia). Applicants should work with their lenders to gain access to the funds.
Business Information Resources:
- Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade updates on COVID-19
- Colorado Dept of Public Health Order Information & Forms CDPHE & Emergency Operations
Douglas County Economic Development Partner Agencies
- Castle Rock Chamber is busy adding all the businesses open in our Town, including lists of Restaurants, Retail, and Professional Services.
- Northwest Douglas County Chamber & Economic Development Corporation
- Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce
- Castle Rock Economic Development Council
- Parker Chamber of Commerce
- South Metro Denver Chamber
- Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
- Denver South Economic Development Partnership