Business || Business

Small Business Relief Program - Apply Now!#

As part of the Colorado Special Session, Senate Bill 20B-01 was passed to provide one-time emergency relief payments to eligible small business owners who have been impacted by capacity restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic that demonstrate a revenue loss of at least 20%. Businesses that are included in this legislation authorizing this funding include:

Restaurants (including food trucks)
Breweries
Wineries
Distilleries
Caterers
Fitness Centers/Gyms/Recreational Sports Facilities
Movie Theaters

A full list of eligibility requirements and additional information can be found at www.larimer.org/sbr.

Larimer County is opting into this program that will provide eligible businesses one-time relief payments UP TO $3,500 - $7,000. Larimer County is working with three municipal "hubs" to help administer the program county-wide: Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park. Business owners are encouraged to work with their hub closest to their place of business.

The application will go live (available in English and Spanish) Wednesday January 6, 2021. Please encourage any eligible businesses in your networks to apply as soon as possible, as the application is only open until January 27th, 2021. This funding is NOT first come first serve, all applications will be processed and awarded after the January 27th deadline. Any applications received after that time will be ineligible to receive funds. We also encourage business owners to apply as soon as possible in case additional follow up documentation or other forms of follow up is needed.

Information in Spanish:

To better serve our business owners who have a preferred language other than English, Jose Luis Ramos, at the City of Fort Collins, will provide technical assistance for the application process. Contact Jose Luis at jramos@fcgov.com.

Please submit your Small Business Relief (SBR) application to the hub geographically closest to your business:

If you have questions about how to fill out the application, please watch the Application Guide Video.

More Information

Programa de ayuda para pequeñas empresas - Solicite ahora#

Como parte de la Sesión Especial de Colorado, se aprobó el Proyecto de Ley del Senado 20B-01 para proporcionar ayuda de emergencia económica a los propietarios de pequeñas empresas elegibles que se han visto afectados por restricciones de capacidad como resultado de la pandemia COVID-19 que demuestran una pérdida de ingresos de al menos el 20%.

Entre las empresas incluidas en esta legislación que autorizan este financiamiento se encuentran:

Restaurantes (incluidos los camiones de comida)
Cervecerías
Bodegas
Destilerías
Banquetes
Centros de ejercicio / gimnasios / e instalaciones deportivas recreativas
Salas de cine

Obtener una lista completa de los requisitos de elegibilidad, preguntas frecuentes e información adicional, la puede encontrar en www.larimer.org/sbr.

El condado de Larimer está optando por este programa que proporcionará a las empresas elegibles ayuda de $ 3,500 a $ 7,000. El condado de Larimer está trabajando con tres "centros de distribución" municipales para ayudar a administrar el programa en todo el condado: Fort Collins, Loveland y Estes Park. Se anima a los propietarios de empresas a trabajar con su centro más cercano a su lugar de trabajo.

Información en español:

Para servir mejor a nuestros dueños de negocios que tienen un idioma preferido aparte del inglés, la Ciudad de Fort Collins cuenta con Jose Luis Ramos quien les brindará asistencia técnica para el proceso de solicitud. Comuníquese con Jose Luis en jramos@fcgov.com.

La solicitud se publicará (disponible en inglés y español) el miércoles 6 de enero de 2021. Anime a las empresas elegibles a que presenten su solicitud lo antes posible, ya que la solicitud solo está abierta hasta el 27 de enero de 2021. Cualquier solicitud recibida después de eso el tiempo no será elegible para recibir fondos. También alentamos a los propietarios de negocios a que presenten su solicitud lo antes posible en caso de que se necesite documentación de seguimiento adicional u otras formas de seguimiento.

Favor de mandar su solicitud de ayuda a él HUB más cercano a su negocio:

Si tiene dudas sobre cómo llenar la solicitud, por favor vea el vídeo de Programa de ayuda para pequeñas empresas - Guía de aplicación Zoom Grants.

Más información

Free Online Restaurant Academy#

Do you wish you had all the systems in place to run a profitable restaurant? Want to learn new marketing strategies from experts in digital and social media marketing and much more?

The Online Restaurant Academy, based in Fort Collins, is offering a FREE online coaching mini course designed to level up your restaurant business through proven planning and processing tools. It’s time to work smarter, not harder and enjoy that #restaurantlife you’ve always dreamed of.

To access the pandemic survival training for your restaurant for FREE – please follow these instructions:

GO to www.onlinerestaurantacademy.com
Select the Pandemic Survival Training for Restaurants
Use code “nocorecovers”

Larimer County Level Up Program#

Larimer County’s “5 Star” certified business variance program, locally known as the Level Up Program was approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Office.

Update to the Level Up Program - with the move to Level Orange, all Larimer businesses may open to the orange capacity effective Monday January 4 at noon. Businesses that have been certified for the Level Up program will need to wait to operate at yellow until the state determines we are eligible based on local metrics. That likely will be one to two weeks if our case trends continue to stay low. The County will continue to accept applications and pre-certify businesses, but businesses will not be able to move to yellow until Larimer is officially told when.

Apply for the Level Up Certification Process here

This application process is long, so the County has provided the components that are required for submission here. All these will need to be submitted, incomplete applications will be returned for completion and not reviewed.

Questions about this process? Email covidconcerns@co.larimer.co.us or call us at 970-498-5500 (M-F 9-4:30).

El programa de varianza de negocios certificado "5 Estrellas"del Condado de Larimer,conocido localmente como el Programa “Level Up” fue aprobado por la Oficina del Departamento de Salud Pública y Medio Ambiente de Colorado (CDPHE).

Actualización del programa Level Up - con el cambio al nivel naranja, todos los negocios pueden abrir a la capacidad naranja a partir del lunes 4 de enero al mediodía. Las empresas que han sido certificadas para el programa Level Up deberán esperar para operar en amarillo hasta que el estado determine que somos elegibles según las métricas locales. Eso probablemente será de una a dos semanas si nuestras tendencias de casos continúan siendo bajas. Continuaremos aceptando solicitudes y precertificando empresas, pero no podrán pasar al amarillo hasta que se nos indique oficialmente que podemos hacerlo.

Gracias por su paciencia, ya que las restricciones cambian y el programa debe adaptarse para adaptarse.

Solicite el proceso de certificación Level Up aquí

Este proceso de solicitud es largo, por lo que a continuación proporcionamos los componentes necesarios para la presentación. Todos estos deberán ser enviados, las solicitudes incompletas serán devueltas para completarlas y no se revisarán.

¿Preguntas sobre este proceso? Email covidconcerns@co.larimer.co.us o llámenos al 970-498-5500 (MF 9-4: 30).

Have Questions About Which Licenses & Permits You Need for Your Business?

Our Business Licenses & Permits FAQ's will help guide you through required licenses and permits to operate your business based on industry type.

Business Licenses & Permits FAQ's

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 business@fcgov.com 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.

Before You Re-Open for Business

State - Governor Jared Polis has implemented the Safer at Home Dial. Certain businesses and activities require specific guidance based on their business practices, and those are included in the Order. 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 - The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has moved Larimer County from Level Red to Level Orange on Colorado’s Dial, effective Monday, January 4, 2021 at 12:00 p.m.

To view changes and Level Orange checklists for Larimer County residents & businesses, click here. These changes will go into effect Monday, January 4, 2021 at 12:00 p.m.

If you have questions please contact the Larimer County Health Department through one of these options:

Call the Joint Information Center: 970-498-5500 (open Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm)
Text us questions: 970-999-1770
Email us: Submit your general questions and concerns about the Safer at Home order and reopening guidance here.

To provide updates on this situation and answer your questions the Larimer County Health Department hosts weekly question and answer sessions every Thursday at 2:00 p.m. via Zoom. To help make this session as informative and helpful as possible, please submit your questions in advance.

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.
ForFortCollins.com - a hub of education, marketing materials, and information to help the Fort Collins business and nonprofit community reopen.
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.

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

Utility CARES Act Assistance - The Dec. 28 deadline to apply for CARES Act assistance has passed. However, Utilities is exploring the potential for additional funding from state and federal sources. We will hold applications submitted after Dec. 28 until we can confirm whether or not funds are available.

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.

Colorado Face Covering Order

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.

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.

To add heaters to your spaces please fill out a PFA permit here: https://www.poudre-fire.org/online-services/contractors-plan-reviews-and-permits/ast-ust-permit-application
For tents over 400 square feet, or general tent questions, please contact Justin Moinester justin.moinester@poudre-fire.org.

Review the Winter Outdoor Dining Guidance.

Alcohol Sales Guidance - To-Go & Last Call:

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) based on the Governor’s Executive Order D2020-199 are as such regarding alcohol. County guidance. State guidance.
- Bars may conduct take-out service.
- Bars that have adapted to operate like a restaurant may continue in-person service.
- Alcohol sales, including take-out alcohol orders, are dependent on county dial level (Larimer County is currently operating in Level Orange):
  - Level Green: Alcohol sales MUST conclude by the county’s local last call time.
  - Level Blue: Alcohol sales MUST conclude by 12 a.m.
  - Level Yellow: Alcohol sales MUST conclude by 11 p.m.
  - Level Orange: Alcohol sales MUST conclude by 10 p.m.
  - Level Red: On premise Alcohol sales MUST conclude by 8 p.m. Sales for takeout alcohol may continue till 10pm.
  - Level Purple: No on-premise alcohol sales.

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

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

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