Business || Business

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.

Larimer County is currently aligned with statewide Colorado public health orders and recommendations. There are currently no local public health orders related to COVID-19. Businesses may implement their own policies so long as they are meeting the minimum requirements set forth by the state of Colorado. We're asking all residents to be kind to others and respectful when visiting business establishments as everyone adapts to new requirements and recommendations. For more details, please visit the LCDHE guidance page.

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.

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.

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.