Larimer County’s move from Level Yellow to Level Red puts a considerable strain on businesses that are already significantly impacted by COVID-19. In response to this impact The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment, the Loveland and Fort Collins Area Chambers of Commerce, the Cities of Loveland and Fort Collins, Towns of Estes Park, Windsor, Berthoud and Wellington continue to advocate for our businesses. Specifically, we have been researching programs nationally and within Colorado, and now we are working with State and Local officials to understand and create a variance program that would allow businesses operating at the highest levels of safety to open at a greater capacity.   

This program will require approval from the State and at this time variances are not allowed for Counties in Level Red. As we continue to work with the State on options, it is important to continue building this program for Larimer County so that we can be ready as soon as anything changes and we have an opportunity to move forward. 

Larimer County businesses have been extremely creative and adaptable in the face of the pandemic. For this reason, we need your feedback on how this variance program can be operated safely and effectively.  

Please join one of the Business Variance Program focus groups:  

• Restaurants, Bars, Breweries: Monday, November 30 - 4pm-5pm
  • Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqde-hrz0iE9WukjEcV1Irjn-3wvLuk9-4 

• All Businesses: Tuesday, December 1- 4pm to 5pm  
  • Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckc-ysrjsoG9yjZmea19Ud2hpqh4r3cmvo 

• 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. 

As your business shifts operations under the new Level Red status, please fill out the following form to be included in the Support Fort Collins Business Map, where community members can search to find which Fort Collins businesses are open, offering delivery, curbside service, gift cards, and other offers. 

The City of Fort Collins has partnered with NoCo Nosh to help restaurants offer delivery and takeout services by covering the commission costs to restaurants. This means that a restaurant will not have to pay anything to NoCo Nosh for taking, processing, and fulfilling a takeout or delivery order on the NoCo Nosh platform starting today until December 30, 2020. The City will also be covering the processing fee and the first $0.50 of the delivery fee charged to Fort Collins residents placing orders on the NoCo Nosh platform, during the same period. Fort Collins restaurants can also sign up with NoCo Nosh at no cost now until December 30, 2021. 

Starting December 31, 2020, the City of Fort Collins has negotiated a discounted delivery cost of 15% and takeout cost of 12.5% for restaurants that use NoCo Nosh services. This will be in effect until December 31, 2021 or until all governing public health agencies have lifted indoor dining restrictions (whichever comes first). 

Sign your Fort Collins restaurant up for NoCo Nosh delivery & takeout services today. Please encourage your customers to use NoCo Nosh when ordering delivery or takeout from your restaurant. 

• Free De-Escalation Training for Businesses - Looking for resources on de-escalating tense situations at your workplace? Watch and share the videos with staff now. 
• 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. 
• 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.