Local organizations provide web resources on coronavirus
A Google search for “Colorado COVID-19” yields around 299 million results, but a variety of local resources can enable individuals to receive more-targeted information. Here’s a rundown of some of the state and local groups that are filling the information gap:
State of Colorado
SPONSORED CONTENT
People Powered: Preparing Longmont Businesses for Economic Success
Longmont Chamber and FNBO present People Powered on April 24, 2024, aiming to inform business owners about workforce development, housing, and transportation issues.
Colorado launched its own COVID-19 resource website on March 17. A key feature is the data visualization dashboard. It’s updated daily around 4 p.m. with Colorado’s COVID-19 testing results. This includes total test results completed, total positive results, positive cases by county, transmission type, patient outcome and number of hospitalizations and fatalities.
Two hotlines exist for general COVID-19 questions: 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911. Translations are made in English, Spanish Mandarin and other languages.
On the right-side bar, public health orders are updated as soon as they are released from Gov. Jared Polis’ office.
The Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade has a section on its website called Colorado COVID-19 Business Resource Center.
Along with announcements and links to the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment for unemployment and sick-leave information, it identified where Coloradans can donate or volunteer. The Colorado COVID Relief Fund has already raised almost $3 million to help Coloradans affected by the coronavirus. Coloradans can donate or sign up to volunteer at helpcoloradonow.orgMany resources overlap, but some cities have unique information.
Boulder resources
John Tayer, president and CEO of the Boulder Chamber, temporarily closed the chamber office in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
A designated page on the chamber’s website called COVID-19 Business and Community Support Resources includes links on how individuals and businesses can do their part in flattening the curve of coronavirus cases and general information on the disease. Other links are more specific to the city of Boulder and business-planning resources.
“A deep concern they have is not just for the continued viability of their business. They’re also concerned about the welfare of their staff,” Tayer said. “Part of our effort is to sustain the businesses during this time, but also to work with these business leaders to make sure that their employees receive the resources and support that they need.”
The site is continually updated with government resources on the federal, state and municipal level, health authorities and information from the Better Business Bureau and the U.S. Small Business Administration. There’s also a news section that references articles on COVID-19 updates.
The Boulder Chamber also is surveying businesses about the impact of the coronavirus.
Assistance can be directed to info@boulderchamber.com or 303-442-1044.
Longmont resources
The Longmont Economic Development Partnership and the Advance Longmont Partners created a response team that meets daily and includes a COVID-19 Business Resources Hub for employers and employees. The team consists of the city of Longmont, Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce, Visit Longmont Colorado, Longmont Downtown Development Authority, Workforce Boulder County, Boulder Small Business Development Center and the LEDP.
The Longmont Chamber also spent days researching and contacting restaurants since the public health order was issued to halt in-person dining. So far, it has identified more than 90 restaurants in and around the Boulder Valley that are still operating and offering takeout and/or delivery. The public has contributed to the list, and the site is continually updated.
The chamber is encouraging Longmont residents to patronize restaurants and small businesses in whatever capacity they have, while taking responsible health measures, said Scott Cook, CEO of the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce. He added that every order at a restaurant or donation to a nonprofit is an investment in the community to which Longmont wants to return.
“We really need to be looking at what we want our community to look like after COVID-19 is gone,” Cook said. “When it is only a memory, what do we want our community to look like? And I would say we want our community to look a lot like what it looked like a couple weeks ago.”
The chamber is available to assist its business members at 303-776-5295 or staff@longmontchamber.org.
Greeley resources
The Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce launched a daily update on its COVID-19 Resources and Public Announcements section on its main site.
Since March 17, the chamber released a daily “Your Business ToolKit during COVID-19” update.
In the March 19 toolkit, it listed ways to support Greeley businesses. They include buying gift cards, keeping subscriptions, tipping on call-in orders and shopping online.
Fort Collins resources
On the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce site, there are resources specific to Northern Colorado and Larimer County.
The Northern Colorado COVID-19 Response Fund is accepting donations to support local nonprofits. The fund is a partnership between the United Way of Larimer County and the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado to provide funding support to area nonprofits. All of the proceeds from pledges go toward COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts.
Elevations Credit Union, a not-for-profit credit union that serves Adams, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties, has the Elevations Community Relief Fund. Donations before April 3 go toward businesses and members in the Front Range community. Elevations will match every dollar up to $250,000.
Loveland resources
The Loveland Chamber of Commerce has a Facebook business-support page. The purpose is to provide streamlines information for businesses.
The chamber typically sends out weekly email blasts to its members, but it’s now daily.
Mindy McCloughan, Loveland Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, said that small businesses “are our backbone. They’re the boots on the ground that keep the economy going. I shudder to think where we would be without our businesses that are our lifeblood.”
Kat Rico, program director for the Loveland Business Development Center, created an informational component about food delivery services. It provides information about delivery companies such as DoorDash, UberEats, NoCo Nosh, GrubHub and Postmates to consumers, restaurant owners and drivers/contract workers.
The LBDC is moving to online consultation and is available 24/7. Business owners seeking guidance should contact 970-667-4106, which is redirected to a staff’s personal line, or Info@LovelandBusiness.com.
Lafayette resources
The Lafayette Area Chamber of Commerce is offering a spotlight feature in its newsletter sent out to members. Spotlights are granted on a first-come-first-served basis. A two paragraph blurb, picture or logo as a jpg attachments can be emailed to info@lafayettecolorado.com.
There’s also a section for Lafayette senior citizens, with information about low-income assistance program, a grocery shopping loop route, home modification grants and more.
Broomfield resources
The Broomfield Chamber of Commerce began a three-times-weekly email update with information, provided by businesses, on how residents can support them. Information can be sent to patrick.monacelli@broomfieldchamber.com. Businesses should provide in 125 words or fewer, the business name, contact and online/phone ordering information.
There’s a separate website page with updates on chamber event rescheduling and state and medical resources.
© 2020 BizWest Media LLC
