We're here to help your business
We know this is a difficult time for many of your businesses as you balance the needs of your families, employees, and business operations. We're partnering with the City of Pueblo, Pueblo County, Pueblo Department of Public Health & Environment, The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, Pueblo West Chamber of Commerce, Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority, Pueblo Economic Development Corporation, Southern Colorado Community Lending, Colorado SBDC, Pueblo West, Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, & Pueblo Downtown Association to assess the impact of COVID-19 on our local business community.
We know that the COVID-19 outbreak is impacting our members
and that some of you might already be seeing a hit to your bottom line. We're here to help you access the tools, information, and resources you need right now. Our growing list of local, state, and national business resources (below) are here to make things less painful for your companies and organizations.
Support your business community
This is not an easy time for many of your businesses, and small, locally-owned businesses are especially vulnerable.
Let's all do our part to support one another
. Simple things like buying gift cards at your favorite shops or picking up a take-out order from a local restaurant can make a big impact.
Support the Pueblo Community
We are seeing a significant outpouring of interest from residents, businesses looking for guidance on how to give most effectively to help address the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). It's during times of crisis that our community stands together to support our beloved city, Please
consider a gift
, or a donation to a local non-profit. By standing together, we will move through this evolving situation stronger and more resilient.
Colorado COVID Relief Fund
will support the needs of communities impacted by COVID-19 in both response and recovery. Organizations helping with the response to COVID-19 will be able to apply for funds starting next week. The fund will support work in three categories: prevention, impact, and recovery efforts. This will include things like medical and cleaning supplies, food services, early childhood education, small business support, behavioral health services, and more. Learn more at
Help Colorado Now
.
Donating blood is a safe process and people should not be concerned about giving or receiving blood during this challenging time. And while blood isn't needed for coronavirus treatment, it's urgently needed for all of the other medical issues that crop up. We need more healthy donors to give now to prevent a blood shortage. Find a blood drive or donation center near you.
Business resources
There are resources available to help you get through a disruption in operations, including the Colorado
Small Business Development Center's website
. They have the latest information from federal, state, and local initiatives, including
Paid Time Leave
and SBA Economic Impact Disaster Loans.
On March 19, Governor Polis announced that Colorado's small businesses can apply for the
SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
. The SBA assistance provides low-interest federal loans for working capital to small businesses that have realized economic injury from COVID-19. (See below for more information)
Unemployment resources
If you are an employee that has been recently laid off, you may be eligible to claim unemployment benefits through the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. These bi-weekly benefit payments help you focus on your path to reemployment and help lessen the negative impact that unemployment has on the economy. Learn more and start your claim
here.
Healthcare industry resources
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies is expediting licensing to increase workforce capacity, and temporary suspension of the application of laws, rules, and policies that will allow the state to expand its testing capacity for Coronavirus and ensure ongoing business continuity in the delivery of healthcare services. Provisions include:
- Waiving licensing requirements and rules to allow for late renewals as well as reinstatements and reactivations during the emergency period of volunteer nurses and qualified licensed providers from out of state.
- Waiving limitations on clinical instruction via simulation.
- Expanding the scope of practice for physician assistants and nurses.
- Waiving requirements of endorsement for qualified out-of-state professionals.
- Expanding opportunities for telemedicine.
- Granting pharmacists the ability to conduct screening tests in pharmacies and other testing centers.
- Allowing pharmacists to administer vaccines.
Latino Chamber Events
Our primary concern is for the health and safety of our staff and our families, members, and mission partners. As of March 15, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) recommends that Colorado follow CDC guidance to cancel or postpone in-person events of 50 people or more. We are postponing or canceling events through early May.
Thanks to our friends at the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and EDC for some great tips and information!
