The City of Fort Collins is launching expanded criteria for the Small Business Assistance Program, as well as a new criteria specifically for single employee businesses. The Small Business Assistance Program is a $1.6M financial assistance program through Coronavirus Relief Federal funds to provide relief to businesses and nonprofits that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will close on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

Please note that service-based businesses are eligible to apply. Service-based businesses are required to obtain a Business/Sales & Use Tax License with the City of Fort Collins to be eligible. For more information about required licenses & permits, please review our Business Licenses & Permits FAQ's.

The application will be also be available in Spanish.

La ciudad de Fort Collins está presentando su criterio ampliado para el Programa de asistencia para pequeños negocios, así como un nuevo criterio específicamente para negocios con un/a solo/a empleado/a. El Programa de asistencia para pequeños negocios, así como el nuevo criterio específicamente diseñado para negocios con un/a solo/a empleado/a. La asistencia financiera del programa de asistencia para pequeños negocios es un programa de $1.6 millones de dólares a través de los fondos federales Coronavirus Relief, con el objetivo de proveer alivio a los negocios y organizaciones sin fines de lucro que han sido afectados por la pandemia del COVID-19. La programa cerrará el miércoles 7 de octubre del 2020,s a las 5:00 p.m. 

La solicitud también estarán disponibles en español.

• Is your business ready for Holiday Shoppers? Google for Small Business is taking the guesswork out of this season with personalized recommendations to help you meet shoppers where they are across Google Search, Shopping and Maps.
• Round 1 of the Energize Colorado Gap Fund applications has ended. Round 2 will reopen October 5th. Sole proprietors, businesses and nonprofits with less than 25 full-time employees can apply for up to a $15,000 grant and a $20,000 loan for a possible combined total of $35,000 in financial assistance.
• Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) is providing Colorado UI recipients who were eligible for a minimum of $100 in weekly UI benefits during the July 25th - August 15th period to receive supplemental payment under that program after certifying their eligibility via the Virtual Assistant at www.coloradoui.gov. Colorado is authorized to pay out up to 6 weeks of benefits under this program, while funds remain.
  • Employers should continue to report individuals who have refused suitable work to CDLE, CDLE will make the determination if the individual qualifies for continued UI eligibility under the Safer at Home Executive Order D 2020 044.

• Need Answers to Questions that Impact Your Business? Chat with Larimer’s Health Department
  • All businesses are invited to join us on Thursday, October 8th, at 2:00 pm via Zoom. To help make this session as informative and helpful as possible, please submit your questions in advance. 
• Quickbooks Online Training
  • With grants, loans, reimbursements and “assistance packages”. Paperwork and record requirements might be piling up. The Colorado SBDC is providing a QuickBooks Online training program in person at the Loveland Business Development Center to help you manage your business' financial records. The 3-part program begins October 8th, and seats are very limited to support social distancing. Learn more and register.

Sign up for weekly updates from the City of Fort Collins Emergency Preparedness and Security COVID-19 newsletter at fcgov.com/eps/coronavirus

Check out ForFortCollins.com for tools and resources created to help your business reopen safely and strongly while gaining support from loyal customers and community members.