Resources for Families, Seniors, and Small Businesses

New Business Resources Available


Build a Plan for Reopening your Business
OEDIT and Kroger have partnered with Energize Colorado to bring together information from health experts, business leaders and government officials. Visit the website to learn more information and see templates that outline themes to consider for protecting yourself, your employees and your customers. These are actionable items that can assist you in managing your business during COVID-19.

Today TCHD finalized new guidance for businesses for Safer at Home. Our new guidance is on it’s own webpage, titled Safer at Home Guidance for Businesses. We have created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document for Business Reopening. Many of the most commonly asked questions from our Call Center have been addressed in the FAQ. The FAQ will be updated as we receive more questions.

In addition to the FAQ, we have created a Business Reopening Checklist. This checklist will help businesses develop a plan to ensure they are taking all the right steps to reopen, including considerations for signage, measures to protect employee health, measures for social distancing, measures to prevent unnecessary contact, measures to increase sanitizing, and measures to prevent crowds from gathering.

Yesterday, the CDC also released Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes.


A message from DOLA: Emergency assistance now available

Emergency funding is now available for rent and mortgage assistance to low-income families facing financial hardship due to economic disruption associated with COVID-19.

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), Colorado Division of Housing (DOH) awarded funding from Colorado’s Disaster Emergency Fund allocated through Governor Polis’ Executive Order D 2020 012 to 18 partner agencies. Two agencies will provide assistance to eligible Coloradans in all 64 counties: Salvation Army and Brothers Redevelopment.

DOH established a new online mapping tool to help Coloradans identify the entity providing emergency funding in their location. We are also encouraging applicants to go through 211 as additional or alternative resources may be available.

In order to qualify for assistance, households must have earned below 50% of the Area Median Income for their county prior to March 11, 2020. Income guidelines are available here.

Cash relief activated for Arapahoe County families in need

Arapahoe County families experiencing economic hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic may qualify for short-term, state-sponsored financial assistance to help them through the crisis.

Beginning immediately, families may apply for the Colorado Works County Emergency Disaster Program through Colorado PEAK, an online service that allows qualified Coloradans to screen and apply for medical, food, cash and early childhood assistance.

Arapahoe County Senior Resources - 303-738-8080

 Providing assistance for seniors who are unable to get out due to transportation or health issues. Staff is working remotely please leave a voicemail and they will get in touch with you.

  • RX Pick Up
  • Grocery Shopping

Small Business Resource Center -  https://choosecolorado.com/covid19/


Second Round of Federal Funding 

As Colorado awaits the anticipated second round of federal funding to reopen applications for the Paycheck Protections Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), we recommend you continue preparing to submit an application. Consider these steps:

  • If your PPP loan was already in the queue at a bank, check in with your lender to ensure all paperwork is correct and in place.
  • If you EIDL application was already submitted, check the status of your application by contacting SBA at 1-800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
  • If you have not started working with a bank yet, research available lenders to identify your potential provider. Find Eligible Lenders
  • Self-employed, sole proprietors, independent contractors should confirm that their bank is working with their business structure.
  • Set up a bank account if you do not have one. This will be necessary to receive relief funds.
  • Prepare your paperwork, including average monthly payroll calculation. (inclusive of eligible health care and retirement contributions).
  • Create a plan for the use of funds over the 8-week period.
  • Ensure that the 8-week disbursement plan complies with approved program expenditures to maximize your loan forgiveness.
  • Reach out to your accountant for guidance and support to resolve any lingering questions that could delay your loan application when the lending windows open with additional Congressional appropriations.

Information provided by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

CARES Act Unemployment Benefit Applications Open Monday

Today, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) announced effective Monday, April 20th, it will begin taking unemployment benefit applications under the CARES Act, paying the additional $600 per week in unemployment benefits and launch other new points of access for unemployed workers to obtain information. 

This includes gig workers, independent contractors, self employed and those who are out of work because of a number of reasons directly related to COVID-19 including caring for a child whose school is closed or someone who tested positive for COVID-10. Self-employed and gig workers will need to provide their 2018 and 2019 tax return with their applications. 

CDLE’s Full Announcement 

COVID-19 Business Survey

We have removed the requirement to register to submit your answers. We apologize for any inconvenience it caused. As a reminder, your responses are confidential. 

Thank you to all the businesses who have completed the survey. Your insights are valuable and will help the State make informed decisions moving forward.

Resources are available to support small businesses, non-profits, freelancers, and independent contractors. 

COVID - 19 Business Resource Center