Larimer County businesses are allowed to open to a greater extent than many other counties in Colorado. Larimer County has three weeks to reverse the trend of increasing cases, or the phase of reopening could be moved to level two restrictions that would reduce capacity levels for many businesses. To provide updates on this situation and answer your questions the Larimer County Health Department hosts weekly question and answer sessions. All businesses are invited to join us for the next 1-hour session, Thursday, October 22 at  2:00 p.m. via Zoom. To help make this session as informative and helpful as possible, please submit your questions in advance. Check out Keep NoCo Open free downloadable assets to help spread the word.

More Meeting Details:

• Zoom Meeting Direct Link: https://zoom.us/j/94104999954
• Call In number: (253) 215-8782
• Meeting ID: 941 0499 9954

The Northern Colorado Regional Economic Development Initiative (NoCo REDI) has released a roadmap outlining the central intersections of the public and private sectors and their partnerships to share the way the region is working together to reignite our economy.

The map serves as a visual representation highlighting the alignment of resources and mitigation work implemented in response to the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Meet #ForFortCollins Ambassadors, Zack Klassen & Kayzha Shepard of Rythm EFX. Rythm EFX offer cutting edge production and design services for special events, including private & corporate events, concerts & tours, festivals, and much more. As Ambassadors, Zack & Kayzha help share resources with the community on how to support your favorite Fort Collins businesses. Join us each week as we spotlight a new Ambassador.

Follow Rythm EFX’s Ambassador Journey on Facebook & Instagram.

• Curious how it will look and work? Take a look at these videos for a sneak peek.
  • Customer Interaction
  • Vendor Back-end View
• Click here for more information and to fill out a participation form.
• Information sessions will be hosted Mondays at 1:00 PM and Thursdays at 2:00 PM.
  • Attend Monday's session here.
  • Attend Thursday's session here.

• Energize Colorado Round 2 Applications will close October 26. 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.
• New Simpler Payroll Protection Program (PPP) Forgiveness Application for Loans of $50,000 or less. The Small Business Administration (SBA) began approving PPP forgiveness on October 2.
  • Click here to view the simpler loan forgiveness application.
  • Click here to view the instructions for completing the simpler loan forgiveness application.
  • Click here to view the Interim Final Rule on the simpler forgiveness process for loans of $50,000 or less.
• City of Fort Collins Utility CARES Act Assistance - Small business customers may request financial assistance totaling $1,200 or less for past-due Fort Collins Utilities bills dated May 1 or later (electric, water, stormwater and wastewater services).
  • The application deadline is Thursday, November 12
  • For more information, please visit Fort Collins Utilities CARES Act Grant Program
• Telework Survey - The pandemic has resulted in many jobs moving to teleworking or remote work. The City is hoping to gather feedback from businesses and organizations on their current telework policies as well as gauge interest in willingness to shift to telework in the future. Please click here to access a short survey. Your responses will help us create teleworking resources. Please complete the survey by Friday, October 16.  

• COVID-19 Case Numbers are Rising in Larimer County Which May Impact Your Business. Chat with Larimer’s Health Department
  • All businesses are invited to join us on Thursday, October 22, at 2:00 pm via Zoom. To help make this session as informative and helpful as possible, please submit your questions in advance. 
• Still Pivoting to Define Your Business’s Success in the New Normal? Upcoming SBDC virtual or in person classes can help support 4th quarter business pivots.
  • Reinvigorating Your Brand Message (October 20 at 2:00 p.m.)
  • Top 50 Digital Marketing Tips and Tricks (October 21 at 9:00 a.m.)
  • Are You Charging Enough? (October 28 at 9:00 a.m.):
  • Show Me the Money (October 29 at 3:00 p.m.) 

• Take Your Small Business Global - Colorado’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant program helps small businesses offset the cost of doing business internationally. The Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade will host a Zoom presentation, including Q&A, specifically for Northern Colorado small businesses that want to take their business global using a STEP Grant on October 28 at 1 p.m. Register here.

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.