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January 5, 2021 - Business Update from Larimer County Department of Health & Environment (LCDHE)

As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 becomes the dominant strain in our community, LCDHE expects cases to drastically increase over the next several weeks.

LCDHE advises businesses to do the following during this surge:

Offer remote work (virtual) options wherever possible
Practice social distancing
Develop plans for initiated closures due to the likelihood businesses may experience

LCDHE also wants to ensure that essential services are maintained and that businesses continue to thrive during this surge. In an effort to keep local workers safer, limited high grade surgical masks may be available to businesses that can not offer remote work options. Please submit this form to request these.

In Larimer County, masks are required in indoor public spaces. LCDHE recommends that individuals use well-fitting surgical, KN95, KF94, or FFP2 type masks.

Please review the CDC's updated guidance on isolation and quarantine.

Please read full update

5 de enero de 2022 - Actualización para negocios del LCDHE

A medida que la variante Omicron de COVID-19 se convierta en la cepa dominante en nuestra comunidad, LCDHE espera que los casos aumenten drásticamente durante las próximas semanas.

LCDHE aconseja a las empresas que hagan lo siguiente durante este aumento:

Ofrezca nopciones de trabajo remoto (virtual) siempre que sea posible
Practiquen el distanciamiento social
Desarrollen planes para los cierres iniciados debido a la probabilidad de que las empresas experimenten una falta de personal disponible debido a la alta tasa de casos.

LCDHE también quiere asegurarse de que se mantengan los servicios esenciales y que las empresas continúen prosperando durante este aumento. En un esfuerzo por mantener a los trabajadores locales más seguros, las máscarillas quirúrgicas de alta calidad limitadas pueden estar disponibles para las empresas que no pueden ofrecer opciones de trabajo remoto. Envíe este formulario para solicitarlos.

En el condado de Larimer, se requieren cubre bocas en los espacios públicos interiores. LCDHE recomienda que las personas utilicen mascarillas quirúrgicas tipo KN95, KF94 o FFP2 que se ajusten bien.

Por favor revise la guía del los CDC sobre aislamiento y cuarentena

Por favor lea el informe completo

Reduced Fees for Restaurants & Customers using Nosh NoCo#

The City of Fort Collins recently partnered with Nosh NoCo to support the local restaurant community by partially subsidizing fees for both the restaurant and customer. The City will cover 10% of the commission costs placed on restaurants, meaning that a restaurant using the Nosh NoCo platform will pay reduced fees of 5% for delivery and 2.5% for takeout orders.

The City will also be covering the processing fee ($1.99) normally charged to Fort Collins residents placing orders on the Nosh NoCo platform during the same period.

Fort Collins restaurants can also sign up with Nosh NoCo at no cost now until Feb. 27, 2022.

Learn more

Business, Nonprofit, & Employee Guide for Planning & Responding to COVID-19

In challenging moments, we encourage our community to continue their support of local businesses. 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.

Utilities Pandemic Assistance

Business customers may request financial assistance for past-due bills from Fort Collins Utilities.

Apply early. Funds are limited, and applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Approved funds will be applied directly to your account as a bill credit within seven business days.
One account is allowed per application. If your business has multiple accounts, you are welcome to submit multiple applications.
Call 970-212-2900 if you cannot complete the application online.

Learn more about the Utilities Pandemic Assistance Program

Larimer County Public Health Order Requiring Masks in Public Indoor Spaces Effective Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Masks or face coverings are now required to be worn in public indoor spaces in Larimer County.  Larimer County Public Health officials have issued this order to help slow the transmission of the virus. Those who are not yet vaccinated are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated without delay.  

All businesses must post clearly visible signs at public and staff/employee entrances informing customers, guests, visitors, and employees of the requirement to wear a face covering inside. Examples of approved signage:

Learn more

Orden de Salud Pública del Condado de Larimer que exige mascarillas al interior de espacios públicos

Se requiere el uso de mascarillas o protectores faciales al interior de espacios públicos en el condado de Larimer.  Los funcionarios de Salud Pública del Condado de Larimer han emitido esta orden para ayudar a frenar la transmisión del virus. Se recomienda encarecidamente a los que aún no están vacunados que se vacunen sin demora.

Todas las empresas deben colocar carteles claramente visibles en las entradas del público y del personal/empleados que informen a los clientes, invitados, visitantes y empleados del uso obligatorio de una protección facial en los espacios interiores. Ejemplos de señalización aprobada: 

Más Información

Helpful resources to check out NOW:

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.
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
How to get vaccinated - The Larimer County Department of Health & Environment (LCDHE) has a webpage dedicated to helping residents find information about COVID-19 vaccination and register for an appointment at www.larimer.org/covidvaccine. Individuals may also call LCDHE at 970-498-5500 for assistance scheduling an appointment. Phone assistance is available in English and Spanish.

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

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

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

City Leniencies - COVID-19

City Leniencies - COVID-19#

City Zoning suspends permitting for some temporary signs placed by essential businesses during the coronavirus outbreak.

Contact Zoning for additional information at zoning@fcgov.com or (970) 416-2745

Important Water Quality Message - If you have questions about building flushing practices or your water quality in general before reopening your building, please email UtilitiesCustomerAccounts@fcgov.com or call 970-416-4268. For more information, please visit Fort Collins Utilities COVID-19 Updates.

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.

Requirements:

All outdoor seating must be spaced at least six 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.

Outdoor Winter Dining: As winter is approaching, and outdoor dining becomes chillier, we expect tents and heaters to be added to both permanent and temporary outdoor dining spaces.