Business

Business & Nonprofit Guidance

• If your business is experiencing a hardship that impacts its ability to meet their City sales and use tax remittance obligations, the owner should still plan to file their monthly return forms but may contact the City Revenue Department to request consideration of a temporary waiver of fees and interest and/or a payment plan. Representatives of the Revenue Department can be reached at c2FsZXN0YXhAZmNnb3YuY29t or by phone at (970) 221-6780 during normal business hours.
• The Larimer Small Business Development Center (SBDC) can provide free, trusted 1x1 phone or video consultations, low-cost educational webinars, and can provide free assistance on the Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance in Response to COVID-19
  • Become a client today, sign up for free online
  • Free webinar - "Cash is King" Tactics to Conserve Cash & Stay Afloat - responding to COVID-19
• Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade - COVID-19 Business Resource Center
• The Institute for Entrepreneurship at CSU is hosting free, online programming for any community member interested in starting their own business. 
• CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease - Strategies for employers to implement now in the workplace, and how to plan for a potential outbreak
• Employer's Council Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guide for employer information on human resources and other legal considerations
• Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America - Insurance-related Resources - Disaster planning toolkit, losses of business income implications, worker compensation, and more
• Know Your Finances Checklist that may help secure your business' financial well-being - Have you thought about a line of credit for your business? What are your procedures to accommodate a potential business disruption?
• The IRS Coronavirus Tax Relief - IRS Disaster Assistance Hotline: (866) 562-5227
• 9 Options If Your Small Business Can't Pay Its Bill Due to Coronavirus
• Getting Your Business Started in E-Commerce free educational video 
• Sign your business up on these lists of Fort Collins business, who are participating in pick-up or delivery services, providing special deals, and implementing new hours of operation. Reach out to each group to be included on either of these lists
  • Support our Small Business
  • Community-led Google doc  to support local restaurants
  • Chamber of Commerce - Open for Business 
  • Downtown Business Association - Open for Business 
• Promote the purchase of gift cards to be used at a later time or send as a gift.
  • Learn how to set up online gift cards for your business:
    • Square Up
    • Gift Up
• Join the Downtown Business Association's Support & Save Old Town Fort Collins Campaign
• Fort Collins Business Resource Guide 
• Protect yourself from predatory lending and check out 7 Warning Signs of Possible Predatory Lending 

Restaurant & Service Industry Resources during COVID-19 Closure

Governor orders the temporary suspension of dine-in service at restaurants, bars, theaters, gymnasiums, salons, and other non-essential personal services facilities in Colorado through April 30. This means we will be extending our closure of recreation and cultural facilities. We are also considering the closure of playgrounds dog parks and park shelters to further limit groups from gathering.

Read full description about restrictions and guidelines for events, large gatherings, and public spaces.

How to Manage your Restaurant during Coronavirus includes tips on: 

• How to Create an Online Ordering Menu with Food that Travels Well
• How to increase Off-Premise Sales for Your Restaurant
• How to Find Room in the Budget for Employee Benefits
• How to Help Your Staff Learn New Restaurant Skills
• 5 Ways to Convert Restaurant Searches into New Business
• Restaurant Marketing & Social Media Plan
• And much more

Other Restaurant Resources:

• Sign your business up on these lists of Fort Collins business, who are participating in pick-up or delivery services, providing special deals, and implementing new hours of operation. Reach out to each group to be included on either of these lists:
  • Support our Small Business 
  • Community-led Google doc  to support local business
  • Chamber of Commerce - Open for Business 
  • Downtown Business Association - Open for Business
• Promote delivery and carry-out services and encourage customers to order directly from the restaurant, instead of a third-party delivery service. If you do not have capacity to add delivery services on your own, consider NOCO Nosh as a local option.
• Promote the purchase of gift cards to be used at a later time or send as a gift.
  • Learn how to set up online gift cards for your business:
    • Square Up
    • Gift Up
  • Join the Rally for Restaurants movement, register your restaurant or bar and challenge your customers to buy a gift card
• National Restaurant Association – Coronavirus Information and Resources
• The Colorado Restaurant Association Policies and Protocols 
• Restaurant/Bar Industry Impacted Employees
  • New Belgium Bar & Restaurant Relief Fund  
  • The Angel Relief Fund 
  • Bartender Emergency Assistance Grant 
• Renew your Food Safety & Sanitation (ServSafe) certification – The Cooking Studio staff are trained and available to recertify local restaurant and food service managers.

Contact the Larimer Small Business Development Center to chat with their restaurant, retail, and marketing consultants for free.

Loans & Grants

Several entities are starting grant programs to specifically assist businesses being affected by COVID-19.

• The creation of a Fort Collins Small Business Relief and Recovery Loan Fund has been approved to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. We will continue to provide regular updates about this program on fcgov.com/business. For more information, view the Press Release. 
• Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance in Response to COVID-19 - Colorado small businesses impacted by COVID-19 can now seek individual small business loans up to $2M as part of the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Larimer County is a designated area for disaster relief. Please review information on eligibility, use of funds, required documents, how to apply, and much more here.

  Additional Support for the Application Process:

  • If you need support in navigating the application process, please visit the Colorado Small Business Development Center COVID-19 website. A hotline available from Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for small business owners to call with questions about how to apply: (303) 860-5881. If the hotline is busy, you can also email PGFjbGFzcz0=.us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">b2VkaXRfc2JuYXZpZ2F0b3JAc3RhdGUuY28=.us. 
  • The Larimer Small Business Development Center (SBDC) can also provide free, trusted assistance to submit the application.
• Help Colorado Now - COVID-19 Relief Fund Now Accepting Grant Applications - Learn more eligibility, deadlines, and the application process here
• Facebook Small Business Grants Program - Facebook announced a $100 million program to help small businesses as governments throughout the country urge gyms and restaurants to close their doors to slow the coronavirus pandemic.
• El Pomar Assistance Fund - El Pomar Foundation announced the establishment of the Colorado Assistance Fund (CAF). CAF is a $1 million fund offering immediate aid to nonprofit organizations supporting Colorado communities, organizations and individuals affected by the recent outbreak of COVID-19.
• Kiva Loans - The nonprofit organization Kiva provides 0% interest loans to small businesses worldwide. They are expanding eligibility and the amount of loans provided during this crisis.
• Restaurant/Bar Industry Impacted Employees
  • New Belgium Bar & Restaurant Relief Fund  
  • The Angel Relief Fund 
  • Bartender Emergency Assistance Grant 
• Artist/Creative Industry Impacted Employees
  • Craft Emergency Relief Fund (Artists' Emergency Resources)
  • MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund - Musicians may apply for assistance

Executive Orders

Colorado Employers to Reduce In-Person Workforce by 50% for Non-Critical Workplaces Due to COVID-19 - D 2020-013

• For details about industry exemptions and other information, click here.
• The order takes effect on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 and is set to last through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2020

Service Industry Employers/Businesses Required to Provide Four Days Hourly Paid Sick Leave - Colorado Department of Labor & Employment

• Provide four days of paid sick leave for those with flu-like symptoms who are being tested for coronavirus
• Only apply to workers in the service industries, including: Leisure & hospitality, Food services, childcare, education (including transportation, food service, and related work at educational establishments), home health (if working with elderly, disabled, ill or otherwise high-risk individuals), nursing homes, and community living facilities. 
• Watch a free Webinar: COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Requirements

Temporary Suspension of Dine-In Service at Restaurants, Bars, Theaters, Gymnasiums, Salons, and Nonessential Personal Services in Colorado - Public Health Order 20-22

• Read full description about restrictions and guidelines for events, large gatherings, and public spaces.

Extension of Income Tax Payment Deadlines Due to COVID-19 - D 2020-010

• Extending the income tax payment deadlines to July 15 for all filers
• Extension on estimated taxes due July 15 without penalty

Temporarily Suspension of Certain Regulatory Statutes Due to COVID-19 - D 2020-011 

• Allows retailers & breweries licensed for on-premises alcohol consumption to sell, deliver, or provide for takeout of sealed alcohol
• Allows retail marijuana store online sales of retail marijuana and retail marijuana products to facilitate pick up by customers
• Suspends appropriate personal physical examination for the issuance of medical marijuana cards
• Suspends vehicle gross weight of vehicles weighing 80,001-84,999 pounds to ensure delivery of emergency goods & services

Limiting Evictions, Foreclosures, & Public Utility Disconnections and Expediting Unemployment Claim Processing to Provide Relief to Coloradans Affected by COVID-19 - D 2020-012

Employee Resources

• Colorado Department of Labor & Employment - Information and Resources on Coronavirus - Apply here for Unemployment Insurance  
  • During the application process through the CO Department of Labor & Employment, please indicate that your reason for unemployment is due to COVID-19. This will allow you to be exempt from requirements to actively search for other employment and to potentially secure federal assistance.
  • Employees whose hours have been reduced can file to collect partial benefits
  • If filing for an unemployment claim and your last name begins with the letter A - M, file a claim on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or after 12 noon on Saturday. If your last name begins with the letter N - Z, file a claim on Monday, Wednesday, Friday or before 12 noon on Saturday. 
• Search for Job Opportunities - Connecting Colorado
• Reduced Work Hours - Colorado Work-Share Program
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment – Official website of the State providing up-to-date information on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), including guidance for testing and the drive-thru testing facility
• Working Remotely/From Home
• Help Colorado Now - COVID-19 Relief Fund Now Accepting Grant Applications - Learn more eligibility, deadlines, and the application process here
• Restaurant/Bar Industry Impacted Employees
  • New Belgium Bar & Restaurant Relief Fund  
  • The Angel Relief Fund 
  • Bartender Emergency Assistance Grant 
• Artist/Creative Industry Impacted Employees
  • Craft Emergency Relief Fund (Artists' Emergency Resources)
  • MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund - Musicians may apply for assistance

How You Can Support Fort Collins Business

• Give the Gift (Card) of Business - If you usually frequent a business, buy a gift card that covers your usual patronage. Then spread out the use of those gift cards over time while you continue to support them as normal. You can always give them away as gifts. 
  • Join the Rally for Restaurants movement, submit your favorite restaurant or bar and encourage friends and family to buy a gift card
• Fort Collins Businesses are Open for Business - Check out these lists of Fort Collins business, who are participating in pick-up or delivery services, providing special deals, and implementing new hours of operation. Ask your favorite local business if they would like to be included on either of these lists:
  • Community-led Google doc  to support local business
  • Chamber of Commerce - Open for Business 
  • Downtown Business Association - Open for Business 

• Keep your Subscription - If you have a subscription or membership to a gym, exercise class, painting class, music lessons, dance, etc. keep it going. With your continued support, you can help many small businesses keep their doors open and pay their bills.
• Buy Now, Pickup Later - If you planned on buying a manufactured product like a guitar, piece of clothing, etc. give that business a call. Pay for it now and have them set it aside for you to pick up later.
• Reach out to your Favorite Local Business - Call frequently visited local businesses and ask how you can help. They might have ideas for you to help that are specific to their business.
• Donate to your favorite Downtown and receive a 'Support & Save Voucher' of a greater value through the Downtown Business Association's Support & Save Old Town Fort Collins Campaign

Direct them to fcgov.com/business for more business, nonprofit, and employee resources.

Utilities Information during COVID-19

Fort Collins Utilities 

• Fort Collins 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.
• Time-of-day electricity rates remain in effect, so keep in mind that electricity will be more expensive during the winter peak hours of 5-9 p.m. weekdays. Electricity will cost about one-third of the peak rate outside of peak hours. The peak hours are set to shift to 2-7 p.m. on May 1.

Phone & Internet

• Connexion won't disconnect service for nonpayment until further notice. Home internet installations will continue for the time being, and the city is working with contractor OnTrac to ensure all employees are frequently washing and cleaning their hands and using disposable gloves. Customers concerned about coronavirus risk can reschedule their installations at no cost or penalty.
• Comcast (Xfinity) won't disconnect service or charge late fees through at least May 12 for people who contact customer service and indicate they can't pay their bill. Comcast is also offering two free months of Internet Essentials service for qualifying customers. The contract-free program is available to lower-income residents who qualify for public assistance programs such as Medicaid and SNAP. After the 60-day free period, service is $9.95 a month.
• Century Link won't disconnect service or charge late fees for the next 60 days for residents and small businesses.
• Verizon, AT&T and Sprint are waiving late fees and service terminations for residents and small businesses through at least May 12 for customers who are struggling to pay their bills because of coronavirus. You’ll need to call customer service to talk about your financial situation and payment options.

Xcel Energy 

• Xcel, which provides gas power and some electricity to parts of the Fort Collins area, won’t disconnect service for nonpayment until further notice.

Artist & Creative Industry Support during COVID-19

• Support Resource Guide for Fort Collins Artists
• Craft Emergency Relief Fund (Artists' Emergency Resources)
• Artists Guide to Emergencies
• MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund - Musicians may apply for assistance

Manufacturing Updates & Resources

The White House is coordinating through our partner Manufacturer’s Edge and all MEP Centers to build a list of manufacturers that currently have capacity and capability to produce (or can produce with changes in your production facilities) personal protective equipment and/or supplies. Please take the quick survey to build this database. Forward to manufacturers in your network.

These websites are compiling COVID-19 updates and resources for manufacturers:

• NoCo Manufacturing Partnership
• Manufacturer's EDGE Colorado

Useful Resources for Businesses, Nonprofits, & Employees

• CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease - Strategies for employers to implement now in the workplace, and how to plan for a potential outbreak
• Department of Homeland Security – Official website providing information on preparing for natural disasters.
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment – Official website of the State providing up-to-date information on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), including guidance for testing and the drive-thru testing facility
• Fort Collins Business Resource Guide 
• Fort Collins Utilities COVID-19 Updates