Join Gov. Polis & OEDIT: “Support for Colorado Small Businesses” Informational Webinar
You are invited to join Governor Jared Polis and the Office of Economic Development & International Trade for a webinar streamed on Facebook Live to learn more state resources and federal stimulus programs to help small businesses, and where and how to reach technical support to overcome obstacles in the application process. Event details are below: “Support for Colorado Small Businesses” Unlocking Federal and State Resources for Your Small Business Monday, January 25, 2021 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Commissioners’ public service reaches beyond County boundaries
Annual appointments to local, state and national Boards and Commissions bring the Douglas County citizen-informed perspective to a larger policy table. Published on January 19, 2021 in 2021 & Breaking NewsDouglas County Commissioners: Lora Thomas, District III, Board Chair; Abe Laydon, District II, Board Vice Chair; George Teal, District I Did you know that in addition to governing Douglas County as Commissioners on their own Board, your County Commissioners also represent you on more than 30 additional
Colorado General Assembly Convenes for 2021 Session
Colorado General Assembly First Day This morning the Colorado General Assembly gaveled in to start the first session of the 73rd General Assembly. 18 first year legislators took the oath of office for the first time, 4 prior Representatives were sworn in as Senators, and the new leadership took their posts. Speaker of the House Alec Garnett addressed the chamber for the first time as Speaker. Representative Daneya Esgar will now serve as House Majority Leader. This year new committee chairs will
First Day of 2021 Legislative Session Wraps Up -
Today the Colorado legislature convened for the first day of a short week to pass urgent bills before they recess. Absent in both chambers was all of the normal pomp and circumstance that goes along with the first day including the speeches from caucus leaders. The speeches that outline caucus priorities for the year, along with the Governor’s State of the State address, are delayed until the legislature returns in mid-February. This morning the House of Representatives got off to a rocky start. During
Day Two of the January 2021 Session
Day Two of January 2021 Session Wraps Up Work today went more smoothly than yesterday at the Colorado state capitol with both chambers finishing up work by midday and no bills being hung up by long debates. Tomorrow the bills will be up for third reading votes and any differences between the House and Senate versions of bills will be reconciled before being sent to the Governor for signature. Bills on the Move House BillsHB21-1001 Remote Participation in Party Committee Meetings—This
General Assembly Temporarily Adjourns Until 2/16
General Assembly Temporarily Adjourns Today the Colorado General Assembly temporarily adjourned until February 16. All of the bills introduced for the brief three day session passed. This week the legislature passed bills that allow for electronic wills, allow party committee and vacancy committee meetings to occur remotely throughout 2021, corrected drafting problems with HB20-1420, allow SMART Act hearings to occur remotely and throughout the legislative recess, expand a small business relief grant
Governor Polis remains hopeful that the quantity of vaccines in the state will allow for expansion of the age criteria within a few weeks.
Governor Polis Statement on CDC’s Recommendation to Expand COVID-19 Vaccine to Include 65-Years-Old or Older Governor Jared Polis today reiterated Colorado’s commitment to vaccinating 70% of the state’s residents who are 70 and older by February 28th, 2021 along with completing the vaccination of our healthcare workers and first responders. The state is reviewing the announcement from the Trump administration of their updated guidance as well as actively engaging the incoming Biden
Additional Paycheck Protection Program Resources Available for Colorado Businesses
My Fellow Coloradans, We are pleased to report that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open this week for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote widespread community access to capital, initially, only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans today, Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13. The PPP will open to all participating lenders shortly
County launches COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant program
County allocation of Colorado Small Business Relief Funds now available to eligible applicants. Published on January 8, 2021 in 2021, Breaking News & Economic Foundations Businesses with physical locations in Douglas County and headquarters in Colorado may be eligible for COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grants through the County’s allocation of Colorado Senate Bill 20B-001 funding. Restaurants, bars and other drinking establishments, caterers, movie theatres, and gyms and recreation centers with annual
5 key issues (other than tax incentives) for business in the 2021 legislative session
The Colorado Capitol in December 2020. The 2021 legislative session begins on Jan. 13. KATHLEEN LAVINE,DENVER BUSINESS JOURNAL By Ed Sealover – Senior Reporter, Denver Business Journal 3 hours ago While Colorado business leaders are preparing to have their most in-depth debate about tax credits and exemptions in the past decade during the 2021 legislative session, that is far from the only issue that will be on their minds this year. Advocates continue to push for a long-term
From the Governor's Office: Update on COVID-19
Community Leaders, Kara here with the Governor’s Community Engagement team! In an effort to continue to provide you with an official update from the Governor’s office, below are some updates and information that the Governor provided. We appreciate your support in helping to share these updates with your network. With the rise of COVID-19 in Colorado, it is critical that Coloradans stay safer at home whenever possible, and limit any socializing to your household. Quick Links to Stay Up to
VA's latest COVID-19 plans and Vaccine Options
Sign up to receive VA COVID-19 updates and vaccine options via email or text by clicking here.Please Note: By signing up to receive updates and options DOES NOT sign you up to receive a vaccine. The VA will use the information provided to understand your interest and keep you informed. For other information and answers to common questions please visit the VA COVID-19 vaccine page
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Red level counties move to Orange level effective Monday
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has allowed local public health agencies with counties in the Red level on the state’s dial to move to the Orange level, which went into effect at 12:00 a.m. today. As always, counties can choose to continue to operate with more restrictive guidance. The state’s decision to move the counties simply provides greater flexibility for local jurisdictions. CDPHE notified counties of the decision last week. “Our goal is to empower counties to operate
Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans
As part of an end-of-year pandemic relief package, Congress has passed several changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and created a “Second Draw” PPP for small businesses who have exhausted their initial loan. Other changes impact eligibility for initial PPP loans, the loan forgiveness process, and the tax treatment of PPP loans. Congress has also made changes to other programs – including Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL Program), the Employee Retention Tax Credit, a Venue Grant program,
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Douglas County is first in Metro Denver approved for State’s 5 Star Program
Christmas arrived early for Douglas County and its businesses with word from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) on Wed., Dec., 23, stating “Douglas County meets 10 days of stable and declining hospitalizations and may now authorize certified businesses to open.” With this news 33 Certified COVID Best Practice Businesses – 18 restaurants, 14 gyms/fitness centers, and one (1) indoor event venue – may have indoor patrons up to 25% of their capacity effective immediately. More
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Congress passes $900 billion 'historic bipartisan rescue package' that now heads to Trump for approval
Congress passes $900 billion 'historic bipartisan rescue package' that now heads to Trump for approval View entire article at USA Today article at:https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/12/21/stimulus-checks-covid-relief-bill-ppp-loan/3990756001/
Colorado Recovery Stalls
Colorado lost more than 330,000 jobs in March and April. During the next six months, the state had strong job growth. In November the job growth stalled. It was like running a marathon and hitting the wall at mile 21. Colorado lost 6,900 jobs in November. Additional losses will occur into Q1. At that point, the combination of the C-19 vaccine, the downturn in the number of C-19 cases, and the recently approved stimulus package will help the state reverse the ship in the second half of the year. For
Vaccines and COVID Relief
FYI….. update on the package. Also attached a COVID Relief Package Topline Summary Vaccines CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices met over the weekend to consider the next phases for vaccine priority. The group voted 13-1 to prioritize essential workers, older Americans, those at higher risk, and the remainder of the essential workers into Phases 1b and 1c. Individuals in Phase 1b covers frontline essential workers including first responders, teachers, those who work in food and
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Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment releases 5 Star variance program requirements
Yesterday, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) released the final requirements for the long awaited “5 star” certified business variance program. CDPHE will start taking applications from counties for the program on Friday December 18, 2020. The program will require businesses to meet safety measures beyond what is already required by the current Public Health Orders, which will allow them to increase their capacity limits. The 5 Star Program is for business owners who are
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Certify My Business - 5 Star State Certification Program or the 5 Star Variance Program by the CDPHE
Certified COVID Best Practices Business ProgramKnown as the 5 Star State Certification Program or the 5 Star Variance Program by the CDPHE, the program in Douglas County will be known as the COVID Best Practices Business Certification Program and those who seek and achieve successful certification will receive designation as a Certified COVID Best Practices Business. The COVID Best Practices Business Certification Program is a voluntary local certification program that enables businesses to operate at a
Castle Rock Chamber's support of restaurants-letter to the Governor
Today, the Castle Rock Chamber & the Douglas County Business Alliance (DCBA) sent letters to Governor Polis in support of reopening our local restaurants, asking for the Governor to strongly reconsider restrictions. While both the Chamber and DCBA acknowledge the devastating effects of the COVID -19 Pandemic on our state and recognize that difficult public health public restrictions need to be considered and adopted, the Chamber and DCBA feel the current Red Level restrictions are disproportionately
Colorado House Republican Leadership Elections and legislative database for the 2021 session
Yesterday the House Republican caucus held leadership elections. There were many changes to leadership including a new House Minority Leader, Representative Hugh McKean. During the leadership election for assistant minority leader, two of the representatives nominated bowed out of the race, leaving it between Representative Tim Geitner and Representative Mark Baisley. The current House Republican Joint Budget Committee member, Representative Kim Ransom retained her seat on the JBC. House
Chamber members and community supporters lend a helping hand
Castle Rock Chamber rallies members and community supporters to stand up and show up for struggling businesses in our community. Our purpose at the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce is to create economic prosperity by facilitating community leadership. In order to be successful in our mission, we need our members and our community supporters who share our same altruistic spirit and desire to support, advocate, and lead. Together we can help many, will you make the pledge to stand with us to support
Final Citizen Led Initiative Qualifies: 3 legislative referred measures, 1 referendum petition, and 7 citizen led initiatives on the November 2020 ballot
Recently the Secretary of State verified signatures submitted for Initiative #257 Local Voter Approval of Gaming Limits in Black Hawk, Cripple Creek, and Central City. The initiative proposes to remove the single bet limits and allow the voters in towns where gaming is allowed to establish gaming limits and the games allowed in casinos. Initiative #257 will be the final measure to be placed on the November ballot. Next week the Legislative Council will review the draft blue book language for this
Castle Rock Chamber announces annual award winners, successful business couple among the honorees
The Chamber's role to be the catalyst, convener and champion for the business community was evident at this year's annual banquet where award nominees, community leaders and members reflected on the Chamber’s sixty-five years of commitment to our business community. The annual event, a time-honored tradition, provides the opportunity to announce new leadership, recognize Chamber's successes, and to celebrate the outstanding business leaders in our community. Castle Rock Chamber Chairman, Mike McNairy,
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The 2020 issue of Livability Castle Rock, CO is out and now available online!
Livability Castle Rock, Colorado, an annual print magazine and digital content marketing program, encourages business investment, talent recruitment and relocation by reaching entrepreneurs, site selectors, corporate executives and other talented individuals and families attracted to our quality of life. This is the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce’s primary quality-of-life marketing program for talent attraction. We hope you’ll join us in spreading the word about what a great place this is to live and do
Governor Polis Final Action on Bills from the 2020 Session and New Mask Order
COVID-19 Questions & answers about the statewide mandatory mask order flyer STATEWIDE MASK ORDER one pagerDemocrat/Republican split in House of Representatives: 41/24Democrat/Republican split in the Senate: 19/16Number of days met: 84Number of days left under 120 limit: 36Number of days in recess: 72 daysNumber of bills, resolutions, and memorials introduced during the 2020 Legislative Session: 710Number of bills signed by the Governor: 326Number of bills vetoed as of June 16, 2020: 3Last day for the
Castle Rock Named the Best Up-and-Coming Small City Near a Major Metro
Don't Want to Give Up Big-City Life? Check Out These 8 Up-and-Coming Small Cities Close to Major MetrosReady for a slower pace and more space but still want to enjoy the perks of a big city? These small cities offer the best of both worlds.By: Brittany Anas, On Tuesday, June 16, 2020 - 11:15 Over the past few months, the coronavirus pandemic has prompted many people to re-examine their living situations. Amid shutdowns, for instance, having easy access to open space — or a backyard at the very
General Assembly Resumes the 2020 Legislative Session
Today the General Assembly reconvened to finish up the 2020 legislative session. Legislators returned to a different atmosphere with many new safety protocols in place, fewer lobbyists and members of the public in the building and temperature checks at the entrances. During the morning floor work in the House of Representatives, some legislators sat in the gallery above the chamber in order to allow legislators on the floor to sit socially distanced from one another. Some legislators chose not to wear
DCBA, Day 62 of the Legislative Recess
In a piece of good news, it was announced on Friday that the Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs would be the home to US Space Command for at least the next 6 years. Governor Polis welcomed this news, saying that the state is a natural fit for US Space Command with a strong military community and aerospace community. This week Joint Budget Committee members continued to wrestle with setting the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. On Tuesday, economists from Legislative Council Staff (LCS)
Colorado & Nevada Join California, Oregon & Washington in Western States Pact
Western States Governors: Health outcomes and science – not politics – will guide decisions to modify stay at home orders DENVER – Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak today announced their respective states are joining California, Oregon and Washington in the Western States Pact -- a working group of Western state governors with a shared vision for modifying stay at home and fighting COVID-19.“Coloradans are working together to slow the spread of COVID-19 and have important
