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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Visit https://www.fcgov.com/eps/coronavirus for current updates

Para integrantes de la comunidad: https://www.fcgov.com/eps/coronavirus-informacion

Business

 Contact Information

 COVID-19 Business Update

Before You Re-Open for Business

Before You Re-Open for Business

Before You Re-Open for Business
 

State

Governor Jared Polis has issued an update on how the state is responding to COVID-19 and introduced the Level 3: Protect Our Neighbors phase. Protect Our Neighbors means that communities that meet certain criteria have less stringent restrictions than under Stay-At-Home and Safer-At-Home. Communities may permit activities at 50% of pre-pandemic capacity, with at least 6 feet between non-household members, and no more than 500 people in one setting at a time. Communities that can demonstrate strong public health and health care systems - paired with low virus levels - should take on more control over their own reopening plans. Strong local public health and health care systems are the key to reopening the economy. Different communities will be at different phases, based on local conditions and capabilities.

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.

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

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.
City Leniencies - COVID-19

City Leniencies - COVID-19

  • City Parking Enforcement Resumes Monday, August 3: Parking Services has conducted three weeks of education, outreach, and information as part of the Business as Unusual campaign in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority, leading up to resuming regular enforcement efforts beginning Monday, Aug. 3. The goal is to continue to support economic vitality by ensuring regular and appropriate parking space turnover to help downtown businesses serve more customers.
    • To support longer term parking needs, Parking Services is offering “Three for Free,” with the first three hours in each of our three parking structures free (remember to initiate a parking session regardless of duration of stay).
    • 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. 
  • 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.
Colorado Face Covering Order

Face Covering Order - Downloadable Mask Signage

Face Covering Order - Downloadable Mask Signage
 

The State's order requires people in Colorado who are 11 years and older to wear a covering over their noses and mouths:

  • When entering or moving within any public indoor space.
  • While using or waiting to use public (buses, light-rail) or non-personal (taxis, car services, ride-shares) transportation services.

People who do not have to wear a mask include:

  • People who are 10 years old and younger.
  • People who cannot medically tolerate a face covering.
  • Children ages 2 and under should NOT wear masks or cloth face coverings.

Businesses must:

  • Refuse service to people who are not wearing masks.
  • Post signs at entrances that instruct customers they must wear a mask when entering or moving around inside the business.
    • Half and full size face covering posters available for download.

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.

Q&A's

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.

Apply for an Outdoor Dining Expansion Permit

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

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 will waive delinquent interest for any taxpayer who still owes current year property taxes beginning on June 16, 2020. Taxpayers may submit payment until September 30, 2020 without penalty of delinquent interest.
NoCo Recovers - One-stop Shop for Business Recovery Information

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

Responsible Patron Checklists

How to support local business as a customer

Downable signs Fort Collins businesses can use:

Arts & Culture – Responsible Patron Checklist

Fitness Studios & Gyms – Responsible Patron Checklist

Restaurant Dining – Responsible Patron Checklist

Retail Stores – Responsible Patron Checklist

Salons – Responsible Patron Checklist

Commercial, home based business and related information

Doing Business in Fort Collins

Commercial and home based business

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Economic Health Office

Development, industry, funding and information about EHO

About Us

Redevelopment

The Fort Collins Urban Renewal Authority is a tool for redevelopment.

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Smart City, City as a Platform, Climate Economy and Target industries

Innovation and Climate Economy

Smart City, City as a Platform, Climate Economy and Target industries

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Information and resources about metro districts in fort collins

Metro Districts

Information and resources about metro districts in Fort Collins

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Downtown General Improvement District

A tax district for funding parking, pedestrian, and street beautification improvements.

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