On November 25, 2020, Governor Polis announced that certain restaurants, bars, and mobile food vendors may be eligible for state sales tax relief. In special session, the General Assembly enacted House Bill 20B-1004, which permitted a limited special deduction from state taxable sales and allowed retailers to retain and spend the resulting state sales tax.  

The following are instructions for restaurants and bars and separate instructions for mobile food vendors to properly claim the special deduction allowed.  

Arts and culture are a vital component of Colorado’s economic and cultural vitality, playing an important role in community resiliency and recovery. The COVID-19 Relief program for arts, cultural and entertainment artists, crew members and organizations (Colorado Arts Relief program) is a funding initiative passed by the State of Colorado Legislature, Senate Bill 20B-001. This initiative directs up to $7.5 million for relief payments to eligible artists, crew members and organizations. Funding through this bill will be distributed through two separate grant applications: 1. Colorado Arts Relief—Business and Organization and 2. Colorado Arts Relief—Individuals. For more information, click here. 

Landlords can receive support to cover delinquent rent through the State of Colorado’s Property Owner Protection (POP) program. Many local landlords are taking advantage of this program, submitting brief paperwork each month and receiving regular batches of rent assistance from the state. Landlords can also apply for multiple months in arrears, if needed. The POP program is for residents with incomes up to 100% AMI and who reside in single family, multi-family or mobile home parks. It is not for subsidized units. Landlords can apply directly to DOLA and rent must be within the fair market rates listed on their site.  

The City of Fort Collins has partnered with NoCo Nosh, a local restaurant delivery service, to help our local restaurants and promote investing in our community. Through the partnership, NoCo Nosh is offering zero commission rates for Fort Collins restaurants until December 30, 2020, and will continue to lower those rates starting in the new year, to continue to keep the costs down for restaurants. Read more details, here. 

Any licensed Fort Collins restaurant may participate in the program, even if they have an existing contract with NoCo Nosh or any other third-party delivery vendor. Fort Collins restaurants not currently signed up with NoCo Nosh can also be added to the platform at no cost until December 30, 2021. Sign your Fort Collins restaurant up for NoCo Nosh delivery & takeout services today. Encourage customers to use NoCo Nosh when ordering delivery or takeout from your restaurant.

• Share Your Business Changes with the Community - As your business shifts operations, 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 Northern Colorado Business Challenges during the COVID-19 Emergency Survey (Fall 2020) is now open. Please click here to take the 10-minute survey.    
• PIVOT Larimer County still accepting applications for upcoming Cohorts - 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.  
• 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 28, 2020. 
• Colorado COVID Legal Relief offers FREE legal aid to Colorado small businesses facing challenges due to COVID-19. The webpage is available in Spanish. 

Upcoming Events: 

• Business Q&A with Larimer’s Health Department  - All businesses are invited to join us on Tuesday, December 29, 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.