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COVID-19 Business UpdateCOVID-19 Business Update

Business, Nonprofit, & Employee Guide for Planning & Responding to Coronavirus

In challenging moments, we encourage our community to adapt their support of local businesses (examples include being mindful of social distancing, pick up and go, purchase gift cards, and shop online). We need to remember to show kindness and support to our neighbors and local businesses to the best of our ability, as these connections have a major impact on the vitality of our community.

We will continue to share new City information. Please email the Economic Health Office at YnVzaW5lc3NAZmNnb3YuY29t with any business related questions.

Helpful resources to check out NOW:

NoCoRecovers.com - a single source of up-to-date information on potential funding resources available to support the business, nonprofit, & workforce community of Northern Colorado
ForFortCollins.com | Reopen Strong, Reopen Safe - a hub of education, marketing materials, and information to help the Fort Collins business and nonprofit community reopen. You'll be able to tell Fort Collins how you are #ForFortCollins – use the Social Post Creator to generate customized #ForFortCollins and #ForFoCo social media posts! All you have to do is customize, download and post to share how you and other customers are #ForFortCollins.

Expanded Outdoor Dining During COVID-19

The City of Fort Collins is launching temporary outdoor dining expansions for restaurant and bars, which temporarily allows restaurants, bars, and retail businesses to expand their business footprint onto the public rights-of-way. Businesses must apply for, and be approved to use additional public space.

Overview:

Fort Collins has created a temporary program to expand options for restaurants and bars to operate in outdoor patio settings adjacent to their businesses.
The intent of the program is to allow for greater social distancing and safety for bar and restaurant‐goers when public health orders allow restaurants and bars to resume sit‐down service.
To gauge interest, Fort Collins has created an application for businesses for the City to review.
Final rules and regulations are in development. Under this program, Fort Collins would consider allowing businesses to expand existing patio space or establish new outdoor areas, potentially including parking lots, sidewalks, street parking spaces, and possibly closing select streets to expand outdoor operating areas. The City would maintain ADA access at all times.
Although the state has not set a re-opening date for restaurants and bars, the City is starting the application process now to better manage the volume of applications that are expected to be received citywide.

Requirements:

All outdoor seating must be spaced at least eight feet apart.
It is strongly encouraged to test workforce for COVID-19.
Use single-use paper menus, condiments, etc.
Provide easily accessible sanitizing options for patrons and employees.
It is strongly encouraged to implement contact-less ordering and payment processes.
All restaurants are encouraged to use a reservation system to prevent capacity issues and patrons from congregating while waiting for service.
Facial coverings must be worn by all staff members.
Request facial covering of customers when not eating or drinking (i.e., walking past other tables to be seated and/or using restroom).
Floor markings for traffic control and waiting queue space is highly recommended.
Limit contact with dining guests by reducing the number of visits wait staff make to each table.
Maintain ADA access at all times in the public right-of-way.

Find a list of Frequently Asked Questions here.

Apply for an Outdoor Dining Expansion Permit

Face Covering Order

Face Covering Order - Downloadable Mask Signage

All persons (customers and employees) should wear a face covering when entering and while inside:

Any public enclosed area or adjacent patio, including retail and commercial businesses or on-site service providers, to which the public is invited or in which workers, including volunteers, from more than one household are present.
Any City of Fort Collins building or facility.
Any public transportation, including City Transfort buses.
Any other public indoor place where persons are unable to maintain safe social distancing (six or more feet separation) from others not of their own household.

Businesses and on-site service providers are required to clearly display informational signage in both English and Spanish. City, County or homemade signs are acceptable.

Half and full size face covering posters available for download.

This order is intended to make it clear how important face coverings are for the health and safety of our community. In the event of an intentional and sustained violation, there are possible penalties.  

Code Compliance officers have the authority to follow up on reported or observed violations, however, as with all forms of compliance work in Fort Collins, officers will take an education-first approach.

A visitor to a business or service provider who does not wear a face covering may be asked to put one on by an employee and if they refuse must leave the premises.

NoCo Safety Supply - Looking for face coverings, cleaning, and safety supplies for your business?

Visit NoCoSafetySupply.com, a marketplace for small business safety gear. Post what you have or what you need to keep northern Colorado employees and workplaces safe.

FAQ's

Before You Re-Open for Business - Safer At Home

Before You Re-Open for Business

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has issued a Safer-at-Home executive order D 2020 044 along with a more detailed Public Health Order 20-18 Safer At Home. The purpose of the Safer-at-Home order is to slowly step down Stay-at-Home orders and begin opening up the economy while preventing another spike in COVID-19 cases and overwhelming our medical systems.

The CO Department of Public Health & Environment and the CO State of Emergency Operations Center has created industry-specific checklists that businesses must follow prior to reopening:

To share and nominate an innovative Colorado business and to find additional assistance and resources please check out Can Do Colorado. Please submit your additional questions or concerns here.

*Please note that local governments can choose to enact stricter guidance than the state -- like extending the Stay-at-Home order within the local government’s jurisdiction.

Larimer County

Safer at Home Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic in Larimer County (includes what it means for businesses, checklists for reopening, business types, etc,)
- Checklist for Business/Facility Re-Opening - businesses are required to implement all applicable measures prior to reopening
- Safer At Home Re-Open Best Practices
- Ask questions or log a concern or speak with the Larimer County Health Department: 970-498-5500
- Face Covering Order: Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Collins

Face coverings are now mandatory for all persons (customers and employees) to wear face coverings when entering and while inside retail and commercial businesses. For information can be found here.
Sign up your business to be apart of the Support Fort Collins Business, a tool that maps out businesses offering online sales, gift cards, delivery, take-out, and other specials.
Looking for face coverings, cleaning, and safety supplies for your business?
- Visit NoCoSafetySupply.com, a marketplace for small business safety gear. Post what you have or what you need to keep northern Colorado employees and workplaces safe.
Important Water Quality Message - If you have questions about building flushing practices or your water quality in general before opening your building, please email VXRpbGl0aWVzQ3VzdG9tZXJBY2NvdW50c0BmY2dvdi5jb20= or call 970-416-4268.

Can Do Colorado

NoCo Recovers - One-stop Shop for Business Recovery Information

NoCo Recovers - One-stop Shop for Business Recovery Information

The new NoCo Recovers website is a one-stop shop for business recovery information in Northern Colorado. NoCoRecovers.com provides a single source of up-to-date information on potential funding resources available to support Northern Colorado's business community, including regular updates on the CARES Act's Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The website also features a COVID-19 Business Resource Hub, where businesses can easily sort through resources based on industry, geography and type of need.

Visit NoCo Recovers

Larimer County Small Business Recovery Loan - COVID-19

Fort Collins Small Business Relief & Recovery Loan

A new $5 million Larimer County Small Business Recovery Loan Fund will soon be available for impacted small businesses. Round 1 will include $2 million in lending capital seeded through a partnership made possible by Bohemian Foundation, the City of Fort Collins and Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce. Round 2 will follow shortly with the remaining $3 million in lending capital to be raised through regional collaboration with local foundations, banks, municipalities, private businesses and individuals.

The program is initially being implemented by the City of Fort Collins, The Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce and Bohemian foundation for the benefit of the county. Additional partners are being actively recruited to aid in supporting this program.

Funding for COVID Relief Loans are limited and will be administered on first come first serve basis. Once you have submitted this Loan Inquiry form a member of our lending team will review your inquiry. After we have reviewed your inquiry form, for initial pre-qualification, you will be sent another email with a link to securely submit a formal application with associated required documents.

Please note - due to funding limitations and other requirements applicants may meet minimum requirements and submission guidelines but not receive funding.

Due to the volume of submissions our response times may be longer than usual but we will do our best to back in touch within 3 business days. Non-Profit organizations are not eligible for COVID Relief Loans in Larimer County through this product. If you are a non-profit in Larimer County seeking a relief loan please contact CEF directly through the form on our website.

Loan details are as follows (subject to change as the program finalizes):
- Loans amounts between $2,500-$50,000 at a fixed rate of 3.50% and no origination fee; and
- Loans are intended to support the stabilization and recovery of businesses.

Eligible Business will (in addition to other requirements):
- Be located within Larimer County, Colorado (primary address) and employ 20 or fewer workers.
- And has through normal operations held sufficient human, intellectual, and financial capital to be deemed economically viable prior to March 15, 2020.

For more information, please visit nocorecovers.com.

Loan Inquiry Form

Local Tax Relief Programs - COVID-19

City, County, & State Tax Relief Programs

City of Fort Collins:

Qualified businesses can defer sales tax payments due on April 20 and/or May 20 to June 22, 2020; interest and penalties will also be waived for approved businesses.
- Qualified businesses:
  - Average monthly sales tax remittance in 2019 was $2,000 or less OR
  - Current tax filings for April and May are $2,000 or less
  - Must apply to the Sales Tax Department and receive a positive confirmation to be accepted
- The Fort Collins Sales Tax Department has set up a dedicated email address at c2FsZXN0YXhAZmNnb3YuY29t, and is also offering online chat from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday at fcgov.com/salestax, and a hotline at (970) 221-6780 to assist businesses with related questions.

Larimer County:

Larimer County Treasurer's Office is offering payment plan options for Business Personal Property Tax to businesses experiencing economic hardship. Businesses must reach out directly to the Treasurer's Office to seek payment plan options. Please contact Cindy Stromberg at Y3N0cm9tYmVyZ2VyQGxhcmltZXIub3Jn or 970.498.7029 to discuss options. This does not apply to real property taxes owed. For additional information, please visit Larimer County Treasurer's website here.
Larimer County Treasurer’s Office updated the temporary property tax interest waiver for the first-half payments which may now be made by April 30, 2020.
- The second-half payment deadline remains June 15, 2020.
- The full payment deadline remains on April 30, 2020.
- Treasurer Josey encourages those who are able to pay their property taxes timely please do so.
- Temporary waiver of interest and collection of multiple payments can be found here.
- Contact the Larimer County Treasurer's Office at bGN0cmVhc3VyZXJAbGFyaW1lci5vcmc= or (970) 498-7020
Larimer County Assessor's Office extends the deadline to file 2020 business personal property declarations from April 15th to June 15th 2020. More information can be found here.
- Contact the Larimer County Assessor's Office at b3ZlcmJlYmNAbGFyaW1lci5vcmc= or (970) 498-7050

State of Colorado:

Businesses that are required to file a sales tax return and remit sales tax on April 20, 2020 may extend their filing and remittance deadline to May 20, 2020.
- This includes local sales taxes for 272 state-collected local taxing jurisdictions.
- The Department will waive penalties and interest that may accrue if the business files and remits the full amount of state and state-administered sales tax on or before May 20, 2020.
- Businesses do not need to do anything to apply for this automatic extension.
- See Executive Order D2020 023
- Contact the Colorado Department of Revenue at PGFjbGFzcz0=.us">RE9SX1RheHBheWVyU2VydmljZUBzdGF0ZS5jbw==.us or (303) 238-7378

City Leniencies - COVID-19

City Leniencies - COVID-19

City Parking Services is temporarily suspending enforcement of non-safety related violations such as:
- The 4-Hour Block Face Rule
- Time limits
- Expired registration
- Immobilization
- Contact Parking Services for additional information at cGFya2luZ3NlcnZpY2VzQGZjZ292LmNvbQ== or (970) 221-6617
City Zoning is temporarily suspending signage permitting - essential businesses will not have to go through the usual permitting process but must still comply with all other City regulations. Signs, including those in the City's right-of-way, must not be a safety hazard.
- Contact Zoning for additional information at em9uaW5nQGZjZ292LmNvbQ== or (970) 416-2745
City electricity, water, stormwater and sewer service for most of Fort Collins won’t disconnect services for nonpayment until further notice. Customers having trouble paying their bills can contact Utilities for financial assistance or to make a payment arrangement. For more information, please visit Fort Collins Utilities COVID-19 Updates.

Join the #ForFortCollins Campaign

Supporting Fort Collins Business - #ForFortCollins

Tell the Community how you are #ForFortCollins - Use the ForFortCollins Social Post Creator to generate customized #ForFortCollins and #ForFoCo social media posts! All you have to do is customize, download and post to share how you can be #ForFortCollins.

For Businesses:

Check out these tools and resources created to help you gain support from loyal customers and community members while ensuring their health and safety through physical distancing.

For the Community:

Attention community champions: Fort Collins is counting on you! Check out these marketing resources to guide you while you rally behind local business owners and organizations, so they can come back stronger than before!

Visit ForFortCollins.com to learn more ways to help your favorite local businesses!

#ForFortCollins