Support for Small Businesses

November 5, 2020

Jefferson County to move "Safe at Home Dial" to level 3 - Orange

New Grant Opportunities available – Applications are being accepted now

Statewide - Winter Outdoor Grant
Lakewood - Business Relief and Recovery Grant Program Round 3

Paid Family Medical Leave Act Passes – What does it mean for Colorado Businesses?

Personal Protective Equipment supplies are still available for Nonprofits and Small Businesses around Jefferson County

State to Move Jefferson County to Level Orange in the Dial Due to Continued Surge in COVID-19 Cases

New Restrictions will go into effect Monday, Nov. 9th at 5:00 p.m.

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) was notified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) that the county will be moved to Level Orange, formerly Level 3, in the Dial Framework, effective Monday, Nov. 9 at 5:00 p.m. MT.

Despite the county implementing a comprehensive mitigation plan, COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and the testing positivity rate in Jefferson County — three key indicators for how the virus is spreading in a community — have all continued to increase at an alarming pace. In the past two weeks, there have been 2,513 total cases of the virus in Jefferson County, or 431.0 per 100,000 residents (10/20-11/2). Over this same time period, hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have also increased across the region by more than 75 percent. Additionally, Jefferson County’s two-week average test positivity rate is 7.7 percent.

“We were hoping we could avoid these new restrictions, but unfortunately cases have continued to increase in Jeffco and across the state. At the same time, we recognize that this has been such a long event, and we are all experiencing different levels of exhaustion,” said Dr. Margaret Huffman, director of Community Health Services at JCPH. “It’s important to remember all the reasons we have been working so hard to keep ourselves, loved ones and community healthy. Whether it’s to be able to enjoy celebrations together sooner, to protect our healthcare workers who are coping with burnout, or to help keep our schools and favorite businesses open, we have so many reasons to pull together to save lives.”

Here’s what everyone can do to help protect our community’s health, safety and economy:

Wear a mask to protect yourself and others. Remember that wearing a mask has been proven to greatly reduce the spread of the virus between individuals. Some early research has indicated that if you do contract the virus, masks could help reduce the dose, or how much of the virus is spread, which could lower the severity of the illness.
Watch your distance. Keep 6 feet or more apart and avoid gatherings with people who do not live with you.
Wash your hands often. Scrub for 20 seconds with soap and warm water. When using hand sanitizer, make sure to choose a product with 60% or higher alcohol content.
Get tested and stay home if you’re sick. There are many free testing sites around Jeffco.
Be kind to your neighbors. Check in on one another and support your friends and loved ones, especially those who live alone or are homebound.
Support local businesses. Keep them open by slowing the spread. You can also show your support by ordering takeout or delivery from your favorite restaurant, keeping memberships when possible or purchasing a gift card to a local retailer this holiday season.

“Even some small changes, like staying home two or three more times a week, can go a long way,” Huffman said. “Just know that your individual steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 matter and protect those around you. If you look at the last nine months and all your hard work, they likely already have.”

JCPH’s Public Health Order 20-009 will remain in effect at least until the county officially transitions to Level Orange, and then may be modified or rescinded based on these new changes.

For more information about CDPHE’s Dial Framework, including guidance for the community and businesses under Level Orange, please visit https://covid19.colorado.gov/data/covid-19-dial. You can also refer to CDPHE’s Dial Public Health Order (PHO 20-36) for more details on Level Orange requirements.

Winter Outdoor Grant Program Application Process for Restaurants Is Now Open

Gov. Jared Polis, in partnership with the Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA), the Colorado Restaurant Foundation, and Xcel Energy, announced that applications are open for the Winter Outdoor Grant Program, which will provide funds to restaurants to winterize patio space for outdoor dining. In mid-October, Gov. Polis was joined by CRA and restaurateurs to discuss ways to support local restaurants during the pandemic.

“The restaurant industry is critical to the economic health of the State of Colorado, and it’s vital to the well-being of our local communities,” said Governor Jared Polis. “We need to continue to support our restaurants, even as we work to contain the virus and reduce transmission. This innovative program offers funding and inspiration to make outdoor dining plausible through the cold months. It will give restaurants means to keep their doors open, to keep their staff employed, and to continue to safely serve our communities. I hope the public join me in supporting restaurants this winter, perhaps by experiencing these unique winter outdoor dining concepts, or by dining out or ordering takeout or delivery.”

The Winter Outdoor Grant Program is made possible by a seed commitment from Xcel Energy Foundation and Xcel Energy, which made a $500,000 contribution to the Colorado Restaurant Association Foundation to help support local restaurants through the winter season. In addition to this donation, they are also committing to matching donations of $50,000, up to an additional $250,000, for every $500,000 that’s raised for the Colorado Restaurant Association Foundation. That’s a possible total contribution of $750,000 from the Xcel Energy Foundation and Xcel Energy. This is one of the single largest gifts the company has made in their history.

Grant funds can be used toward design, construction, applicable fees and supplies like tents, heaters, etc. Grants will be distributed through the Colorado Restaurant Foundation.

The program developed feasible ideas for how all restaurants could effectively create and adapt to additional dining via the Outdoor Winter Design Workshop held on October 19. This event brought together the American Council of Engineering Companies of Colorado, the American Institute of Architects Colorado, the Associated General Contractors of Colorado, other design and construction professionals, public health officials, representatives from local fire departments, building officials, restaurateurs, and more. Teams were assigned a specific outdoor space type (e.g. rooftop, parking lot, adjacent park) and geography (e.g. urban, mountain resort). They were asked to consider safety, cost, permitting, regulations, ease of implementation, and the comfort of the guest as they created their concepts. The final conceptual plans are now available at COOutdoorDining.org.

COVID-19 Lakewood Business Relief and Recovery Grant Program

The City of Lakewood has created a recovery grant program to provide financial assistance to qualifying small businesses that have been directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will disperse over $3,000,000 in total grant awards.

Round 3 applications available now

Round 3 grant awards will be weighted against the below rubric. Grants will be awarded in amounts up to $30,000. Grant amounts will be calculated by the businesses' lost revenues in July and August 2020. Applicants that received a grant in Round 1 or Round 2 are not eligible to receive a grant in Round 3.

Eligible Business Criteria

A business may apply for the grant program if they meet the following:

The business has a physical Lakewood address where it primarily conducts business.
If awarded a grant, the business affirms that they intend the business to be solvent and in operation for at least 90 days from the date of grant award.
No post office box, private mail box at a mailing service center/store, or a virtual mailbox will be accepted as a physical address.
The business is located within the City of Lakewood’s non-residential zone districts.
The business has an active Lakewood business sales tax and/or use tax license.
The business is registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State and their register agent must be a resident of Colorado. Non-Colorado businesses are ineligible.
The business is in good standing with any City permits, licenses, fees and taxes as of March 1, 2020.
The business has been in operation on or before January 1st, 2019 for large qualifying grants.
Able to provide proof of ongoing business operations between August 1- September 30, 2020.
The business does not have more than 100 employees; this could be Full Time Employees (FTE) or full-time equivalents as of February 29th, 2020. (For purposes of estimating FTEs (full time employees), the FTE count shall be based only on the specific location applying for the program.) Business has between 25-100 full-time or full-time equivalent positions.
The business has been forced to temporarily close or forced to dramatically limit operations due to the Public Health Orders related to the COVID-19 public health crisis and resulted in lost revenue.
Businesses with more than one physical location in the City of Lakewood may apply for the program for one location only.
Corporately-owned national chains may not apply for the program; however, locally owned franchise owners/operators are allowed to apply.

Exclusions:

Non-profit 501(c)3 organizations, marijuana businesses, home-based businesses, residential living facilities, government organizations and political organizations.
City of Lakewood elected officials, employees, their spouses and immediate families are not eligible to receive these funds.

Proposition 118: Paid family and medical leave passes

Coloradans supported the measure with 83% of the votes counted on Tuesday, November 3rd by a margin of 57%-43%

The program is funded though a 0.9% tax on an employee's annual pay. Both the employer and employee will split the fee that will go into a $1.3 billion fund. This tax will start in 2023. In 2024, the maximum weekly benefit is estimated to be $1,100. Lower-wage workers would get up to 90 percent of their wages covered, while higher-wage workers would get a smaller portion replaced.

Under the paid family medical leave program, employers will provide 12 weeks of annual leave for workers who are caring for newborns, or dealing with health issues of both themselves and family members. In addition, the leave will also cover employees who are escaping domestic violence.

Personal Protective Equipment Program for Small and Micro Businesses and Nonprofits

Jefferson County, the Arvada Chamber, West Metro Chamber, Golden Chamber, and Evergreen Chamber are supporting small businesses of 25 employees or less and nonprofits that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by distributing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) free of charge to those that qualify.

Eligibility:

Nonprofits or businesses with 25 employees or less
Get more information

Missed one of our business panels?
Watch here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTH5pW4bJZbvcvOWfLfRVUA

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center
Business Services

Business Services offers a wide array of services and resources to help businesses of any size.

Information about layoff assistance and layoff aversion programs are available, please contact Jill Howard at [email protected] or call 303-271-4768.

If your business is currently hiring, we can assist with job postings, marketing to job seekers and virtual job fairs. Contact the Business Services team at [email protected] or call 303-271-4800.

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center website:
https://www.jeffco.us/Business-Workforce-Center

Additional Resources

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Workshops: https://www.jeffco.us/calendar.aspx?CID=28

General Unemployment Insurance Information Related to Coronavirus
Up-to-date information for employers, employees and FAQ’s about Colorado Unemployment Insurance programs and other resources.
https://covid19.colorado.gov/

Colorado Unemployment Insurance Employer Services website
Information about layoffs, labor laws, incentives and tax credits, audits, posting jobs on Connecting Colorado and more.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/businesses-employers

Unemployment Insurance Guide for Employers
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Employer_Guide.pdf

Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Learn what it means for employers.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/families_first_coronavirus_response_act.pdf

U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance for the workplace.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20200309

Jefferson County Small Business Resource Center
Non-profit organization supporting small businesses in the community including business plan development, brand and marketing material assistance, financing sources and more.
https://www.jeffcobrc.org/

Small Business Guidance & Resources
Information about Economic Injury Disaster Loan Programs, Guidance for Businesses and Employers, SBA Products and Resources, Government Contracting and Local Assistance.
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

SBA Disaster Loan Assistance
Federal Disaster Loans for Businesses, Private Nonprofits, Homeowners and Renters.
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation
Jeffco EDC is an advocate for the county’s business community and is dedicated to building economic prosperity in the community. Current resources for businesses are included on the website.
https://jeffcoedc.org/

Clear Creek Economic Development Corporation
The CCEDC works to create and offer programs for Clear Creek County businesses. Information about emergency working capital loan program is on the website.
http://www.clearcreekedc.org/our-programs

Arvada Economic Development Association
Arvada Economic Development Association has community, government, and civic partnerships which allow AEDA to provide your business with the latest business information and resources.
https://arvadaeconomicdevelopment.org/

City of Edgewater
The City's economic development programs are designed to bolster the economic health and opportunity within Edgewater and the surrounding area for residents and businesses alike.
https://edgewaterco.com/planning

Golden Community & Economic Development Division
The City of Golden Community & Economic Development Division provides a network of resources to support existing and growing businesses including grant opportunities.
https://www.cityofgolden.net/work/economic-development/

Lakewood Economic Development Division
The Economic Development Division of the City of Lakewood provides services to businesses, including business attraction, expansion, entrepreneurialism, marketing, communications and resources.
https://www.lakewood.org/Government/Departments/Economic-Development

Littleton Economic Development Department
The Economic Development Department of the City of Littleton focuses on business development, retention and attraction by providing business resources for companies operating in or planning to locate within the city.
https://www.littletongov.org/city-services/city-departments/economic-development

Westminster Economic Development Department
The City of Westminster Economic Development Division provides resources to existing and growing businesses.
https://www.westminstereconomicdevelopment.org/

Wheat Ridge Economic Development Division
The City of Wheat Ridge Economic Development Division is dedicated to both the businesses and citizens of Wheat Ridge by providing an array of resources for the community.
https://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/269/Economic-Development

Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade
OEDIT has a hotline for small business owners to call with questions at (303) 860-5881 or email [email protected]
https://choosecolorado.com/

Chambers of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce associations promote and protect the interests of the business community in a local community, and offer valuable resources and education to businesses

West Metro Chamber
https://www.westmetrochamber.org/

Arvada Chamber
https://www.arvadachamber.org/

Conifer Chamber
https://www.goconifer.com/

Evergreen Chamber
https://www.evergreenchamber.org/

Golden Chamber
https://goldenchamber.org/

Littleton Chamber
http://littletonbusinesschamber.org/

Westminster Chamber
https://www.westminsterchamber.biz/

Wheat Ridge Chamber
http://www.wheatridgechamber.org/

Wheat Ridge Business Association
https://www.wheatridgebiz.com/

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center serving Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin counties is an equal opportunity program; auxiliary services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.