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COVID-19 Small Business Response Resources Guide

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Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)

• Colorado Small Business COVID-19 Disaster Response Hotline: 303-860-5881 
• OEDIT COVID-19 Small Business Resource Center Website
• OEDIT- Minority Business Office

Social Distancing Calculator: This calculator is provided to help you plan social distancing for your employees and customers. 

Energize Colorado: Energizing the economy through the generosity of Coloradans helping Coloradans. This resource supports small businesses in mentorship, gap fund, mental health, and reopening Colorado.

Colorado Executive and Public Health Orders

View the latest public health & executive orders by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment here. 

CDPHE Business Operating Guidelines

• See the latest guidance for businesses
• COVID-19 Dial Business Guidance (updated January 8, 2021)

Tri-County Health Department Business Support: Ask your business-related questions or get guidance on requirements by contacting the Business Re-Opening Task Force (Spanish interpretation available). Contact covidbusinessrecovery@tchd.org or 720-713-6030.
Hours of operation: Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Business Finances

• Action Opportunity Fund: LegalZoom has teamed up with the NBA, WBNA, and NBA G League to assist communities by helping small business owners. Fast Break for Small Business is a $6 million commitment in grants and LegalZoom services to help thousands of small businesses all over the country, and Accion Opportunity Fund is the nonprofit administrator of the program.

• Adams County COVID-19 Grant Program: Accepting Applications Starting Nov. 1 Utilizing American Rescue Plan funding, Adams County is accepting grant applications starting November 1 from non-profits, school districts, special districts, businesses, and non-governmental organizations providing targeted services that meet the county’s priorities or for businesses needing additional economic recovery and relief assistance.

• Disproportionately Impacted Business Grant: Provides funding to Colorado businesses that were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and did not receive meaningful access to federal or state loans and grants under the CARES Act. Businesses will receive a minimum of $1,500 and a maximum of $10,000. This grant is intended to cover expenses that have not been covered by other federal or state funding. Round 1 applications closed on Oct. 3, 2021 and round 2 applications will open in late October. Please check the website periodically for updates.

• Comcast RISE Grant: Comcast RISE was created to invest in the success of these critical businesses by providing valuable and practical support. There are separate applications for the marketing and technology services awards and the Comcast RISE Investment Fund. Eligible business owners may apply for either, or both programs.

• Commerce City Small Business COVID-19 Relief Loan: COVID Relief Loans with a maximum loan amount of $25,000 to businesses that were existing and generating revenue pre-COVID-19. 
  • Edgar Silerio (bilingual contact): edgar@coloradoenterprisefund.org.
    
    
• Colorado’s CLIMBER Loan Fund: During the next two years the CLIMBER Loan Fund program will seek to distribute $250,000 million in working capital loans to businesses of 5 to 99 employees that were doing well before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
  
  
•  Adams County Small Business Stabilization Program (SBSP): (Paused May 2021) The Adams County Community & Economic Development Department has established the Small Business Stabilization Program (SBSP) to provide local businesses with grants to retain jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• COVID-19 Small Business Alternative Financing: A live spreadsheet, updated regularly with alternate sources of financing available for Colorado’s small businesses.

• Small Business Administration (SBA) Programs: Learn about the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance Program, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, and other resources. 

• IRS: Subscribe to e-News for Small Businesses. This free electronic service provides tax information for small business owners and self-employed individuals. By signing up, you’ll receive information on important upcoming tax dates, what’s new for small businesses on the IRS website, reminders and tips to assist small businesses with tax compliance, and news releases and special announcements from the IRS that pertain to small businesses.

One-On-One Program Application Assistance Resources

• OEDIT- Minority Business Office
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Counselors
• SCORE - Denver
• Colorado Small Business Navigator Hotline: 303-860-5881 

Other Finance Resources

• SBDC Small Business Financial Recovery Guide: A resource for managing your business finances to mitigating risks and recovery

Other Resources

• Colorado Enterprise Fund: Update regarding CEF's PPP & Loan Forgiveness Applications
• Colorado COVID small business legal program: Helps match volunteer lawyers with small businesses needing legal assistance due to the COVID-19 economic crisis.
  • Legal help for businesses
  • Legal help for non-profits
• PPE directory of manufacturers 
• The Safe & Open Pledge: The Safe & Open campaign in Adams County offers a marketing opportunity for businesses who take the pledge to help move toward a thriving economic environment once again, while protecting against the renewed spread of coronavirus. Businesses that take the pledge will be listed on the Adams County Safe & Open Pledge map hosted by Adams County. This message will be shared widely via social media, public relations, and more.

Tax Deferment, Credits, & Other Waived Fees

Income Tax Deferment:

• Department of U.S. Treasury Information and Resources
• IRS efforts to assist taxpayers

Tax Credits Programs:

• Employee Retention Credit: Helps employers keep employees on payroll.

• Payroll Tax Deferral (CARES Act): Allows businesses to defer payroll taxes owed in 2020. Half would be payable December 2021 and the other half December 2022. Businesses receiving EIDL or Paycheck Protection Loans are not eligible. Filing and Payment Deadlines Questions and Answers.

Waived Fees:

• The Commerce City City Clerk's Office is waiving liquor license renewal fees through January 31, 2022. Existing Club and Hotel & Restaurant licensees will have their liquor renewal fees waived during this time. The Department of Revenue – Liquor Enforcement Division is also waiving State fees for all license types through December 7, 2021. For more information, please contact Tiffany McGraw, Licensing Coordinator, at tmcgraw@c3gov.com or 303-289-3784.

Employee-Related Resources

• Resource for Jobseekers: The State of Colorado has launched an online resource to help Coloradans who have lost their jobs connect to essential life services, such as food and shelter, retraining opportunities, and jobs.
• Remote Working Checklist: A guide to help small business owners work from home.
• Employer Fact Sheet for setting up a work-share program.
• Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE)
  • CDLE published emergency rules that temporarily require employers in specific industries to provide a small amount of paid sick leave to employees with flu-like symptoms while awaiting COVID-19 testing.
• Rapid Response-Layoff Transition Services
• Job Attached Unemployment: Job attached unemployment means that a person is expected to return to his/her most recent employer after a separation of up to 16 weeks. To begin collecting benefits, employees must estimate their potential lost payments and file a claim with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Division of Insurance. Then they must register with the state Workforce Center and fill out all necessary paperwork posted to the Division website. Processing of claims may take four to six weeks to complete. Once the processing is complete, employees will receive their requested payment or a notice of why the claim was denied.
• Angel Relief Fund for Dislocated Restaurant Industry Employees

Restaurants and Retailers

Add your restaurant for food delivery service:

• Uber Eats
• Door Dash

Other Resources

• National Restaurant Association - COVID-19
• A COVID-19 fact sheet for restaurant owners

Public Health Resources

The SBRC is not a health organization; for the latest information regarding the current health situation, please utilize the public health resources listed below.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have several posters you may download and print for your office, including:

• Germs Are All Around You
• Stop the Spread of Germs
• Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
• Tri-County Health Department

The following SBRC consultants and partners are available to help answer small business questions.

You may request assistance at SBRC@c3gov.com. 

Partners: