Continued Support for Businesses during COVID-19
Our staff, county, and state officials are here to assist with business needs virtually and adequately. El Paso County moved to Level Yellow on February 6th, allowing restaurants to have up to 50% or 150 persons using the state’s space calculator. This is a significant change from the previous 100-person capacity limit.
5 Star-certified businesses in El Paso County can operate at Level Blue guidelines within the state’s COVID-19 dial framework. Certified businesses can enjoy increased capacity limits at one level higher on the state’s COVID-19 dial framework. The 5 Star Certification application remains open—learn more about the requirements and process to determine if it is a good fit for you here.
To view the county’s current COVID-19 status and the capacity restrictions at each level, visit the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s COVID-19 Dial Dashboard for more information.
Business Support & Legal Resources
Despite the monumental impact the pandemic had on the local business community, various organizations can help with grant applications and assistance. The Pikes Peak region works with partners including the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) to provide services to assist with disaster loan applications, long term planning, insurance navigation, physical and economic loss estimations, business preparedness, and more. Plus, Governor Polis signed into law SB20B-001 in December, providing $57 million in direct aid, grants, and annual fee waivers to struggling small businesses. Additionally, this bill creates grant programs and allocates funds specifically for art and cultural organizations and minority-owned businesses.
State-wide resource Colorado Small Business Development Center Network consists of 15 full-time centers and more than 50 part-time satellite offices across the state. The network provides no-cost consulting and low-cost training and workshops to entrepreneurs in every county across Colorado. The Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center is a local resource dedicated to helping existing and new businesses grow and prosper. The center provides free consulting, practical training, and training resources. The Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center maintains a comprehensive list of regional and state resources specifically focused on small business needs, including their Resiliency and Recovery Workshops, that can be found here.
Catalyst Campus supports the growth of the downtown Colorado Springs economy to the tune of over 1,000 employees. A $270M in economic impact from a combined direct, indirect, and induced effect on the economy according to a recent study. For industry-specific resources, the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (COPPeR) is a nonprofit local arts agency committed to providing funding sources and resources for the arts and culture community.
Resiliency and Recovery in Colorado Springs
Show your customers that you’re following the guidelines and doing your part to keep them safe. Download our “We are staying safe” window signs in partnership with El Paso County Public Health.
Count on us for side-by-side support and do not hesitate to contact us to learn more about COVID-19 relief options.