Colorado’s dial framework has added a new, highest level. Counties were previously assessed using five levels. Now, there are six with the addition of the dial's newest and most restrictive level: Level Purple. The new levels will go into effect Friday, November 20, 2020 with 15 Colorado counties moving to the state's now-second-highest level: Level Red. 

Counties move back and forth between levels depending on three metrics including, the number of new cases, the percent positivity of COVID tests, and the impact on hospitals, and local considerations. Larimer County's current case and hospitalization rates continue to put its Level Yellow status at risk. The next level for Larimer County would be the state's higher risk Safer At Home level, Level Orange. 

Learn more about the State's new COVID-19 Dial and what the next level could mean for your business operations here. 

#KeepNoCoOpen resources are available at NoCoRecovers.com to help you with messaging. 

 
The Larimer County Health Department will be working with businesses to work through the new capacity limitations. If you have questions please: 

• 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. Please note, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no Business Q/A session on November 26. All businesses are invited to join us for the next 1-hour session, Thursday, December 3, 2020 at  2:00 p.m. via Zoom. To help make this session as informative and helpful as possible, please submit your questions in advance. 

Looking for resources on de-escalating tense situations at work? Want to provide team members with tools to navigate challenging scenarios around the mask mandate? Would you like to know what other businesses are doing to prevent tense situations from developing? 

• PIVOT Larimer County still accepting applications for Second Cohort - With changing customer habits and new health requirements, many businesses are needing to ‘pivot’ their business model to adapt to the changing times. In response, CSU’s College of Business will provide free resources to Larimer County business owners to learn how to ‘pivot’ their business and develop a long-term resiliency plan.  Learn more here. 
• The Colorado Outdoor Winter Dining Grant Program Round 2 Open Monday, November 30, 2020 - The Program is designated for Colorado restaurants that have demonstrated financial need during COVID-19. Please note that funds are limited.  
• 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) 
  • Funds are limited, application deadline is Monday, December 7, 2020. 
• Colorado COVID Legal Relief - Colorado COVID Legal Relief offer FREE legal aid to Colorado small businesses facing challenges due to COVID19. The webpage is now available in Spanish. 
• Restaurant Survey - The City is gathering restaurant industry information to better understand the climate due to the public health emergency. Please take 5 – 10 minutes to complete this survey online to assist us in learning more about the industry. 
• 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. 
• The Northern Colorado Business Challenges during the COVID-19 Emergency Survey (Fall 2020) is now open. This information will be used to better serve our business community in our response and recovery efforts as well as to communicate the business needs, challenges and resilience to our elected leaders, funding partners and community partners. Please click here to take the 10-minute survey.    

Upcoming Events: 

• 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, December 3 2020, at 2:00 pm via Zoom. To help make this session as informative and helpful as possible, please submit your questions in advance. 

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.