Coronavirus Business Toolkit
The Wheat Ridge Business Association, Wheat Ridge Chamber, and the City of Wheat Ride joined forces together and are closely tracking the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) for our businesses and the Wheat Ridge community. Below are resources for how your business and family can plan for and respond to the virus. We will update this page as information is made available. (Updated 3/29)
Instructions for Critical Business Self-Certification (PDF)
Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce by CISA
Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response (CISA)
Please click on the tabs below to select category
Overview and Monitoring
Employer Resources
Employment Resources
Financial Business Resources
Remote Working Business Resources
Nonprofit Resources
Family Resources
Colorado News
City of Wheat Ridge
Your Community Needs Your Help
- Metro Denver Public Health Departments Rescind Stay at Home Public Health Orders to rescind Public Health Order 20-002
- What does Colorado’s Stay-in-Place order mean? – FAQ from Governor Polis’ office
- CDC | Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Summary
Updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracking the situation in the U.S. and the latest recommendations - World Health Organization | Coronavirus
News and Q&As from around the world - Colorado Department of Public Health | Coronavirus in Colorado
An updated tracker of test results in Colorado and additional resources - The New York Times | Tracking Every Coronavirus Case in the U.S.: Full Map
Updated map of the known locations of coronavirus cases by county - FEMA Coronavirus Response
Comprehensive information on how FEMA is tracking the current Coronavirus situation. Facts Sheets, Rumor Control, News Release and more - White House Coronavirus Task Force information (Coronavirus.gov)
Nationwide information source put together by the White House
Health and Safety
- CDC | Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease
Recommended strategies for employers to use now - OSHA | COVID-19 Safety and Health Standards, Control & Prevention External Link
An overview of information for workers and employers, including links to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and control and prevention - Lutheran Medical Center | Coronavirus Overview
Updates and tips for protecting yourself and staying healthy - U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation | Guidance for Employers to Plan and Respond to the Coronavirus
Strategies and tips to protect your workforce - U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation | Understanding the Coronavirus (Video)
Webinar about the impact of coronavirus on the private sector and how companies should consider their response, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Explaining this coronavirus epidemic in simple terms
by Dr. Mark B. Johnson, MD. MPH, Executive Director, Jefferson County Public Health, provided by Jerry DiTullio, Jefferson County Treasurer
Employment
- Business & Workforce Center| Lay-off Assistance & Hiring Assistance
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Policies and Protocols for the Colorado Restaurant Industry
- Colorado will give unemployment benefits to those laid off due to COVID-19
Information about the state workshare system - Colorado Department of Labor | Colorado Health Emergency Leave with Pay (“Colorado HELP”) Rules
FAQs for the new rules of emergency pay enacted by the Governor - US Department of Labor | Fair Labor Standards Act Questions and Answers
Information about laws related to compensation, office closure, and work from home - US Department of Labor | Family and Medical Leave Act Questions and Answers
Information about FMLA eligibility and responsibilities
Additional Employer Resources
- General Unemployment Insurance Information Related to Coronavirus
Up-to-date information for employers, employees and FAQ’s about Colorado Unemployment Insurance programs and other resources.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/information-and-resources-coronavirus - Colorado Unemployment Insurance Employer Services website
Information about layoffs, labor laws, incentives and tax credits, audits, postings jobs on Connecting Colorado and more.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/businesses-employers - Work Share Program
Alternative to laying employees off and unemployment insurance if an employee is still about to work part-time.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/layoffassistance - Businesses Responding to Job Separation
How and why it’s important to respond to the Unemployment Insurance employee job separation notices.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/node/20121 - Unemployment Insurance Guide for Employers
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Employer_Guide.pdf - Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Learn what does it mean for employers
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/families_first_coronavirus_response_act.pdf - U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance for the workplace.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20200309 - Jefferson County Small Business Resource Center
Non-profit organization supporting small business in the community including business plan development, brand and marketing material assistance, financing sources and more.
https://www.jeffcobrc.org/ - Small Business Guidance & Resources
Information about Economic Injury Disaster Loan Programs, Guidance for Businesses and Employers, SBA Products and Resources, Government Contracting and Local Assistance.
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources - SBA Disaster Loan Assistance
Federal Disaster Loans for Businesses, Private Nonprofits, Homeowners and Renters
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources - Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation
Jeffco EDC is an advocate for the county’s business community and is dedicated to building economic prosperity in the community. Current resources for businesses are included on the website.
https://jeffcoedc.org/ - Colorado Department of Economic Development & International Trade
OEDIT has a hotline for small business owners to call with questions at (303) 860-5881 or email oedit_sbnavigator@state.co.us.
https://choosecolorado.com/
Employment
- Business & Workforce Center| Lay-off Assistance & Hiring Assistance
- Tech Talent Denver
Tech Talent Denver acts as a voice for the tech industry in the Denver metro area working to support a thriving information and technology industry. In these rapidly changing times it’s important to stay connected. Tech Talent Denver is a great way to connect with other businesses to share ideas, resources and strategies for addressing the current uncertainty in the business community.
Tech Talent Denver Mission:- Collaborate with community and regional partners to support, educate, and train a viable technology sector workforce; and
- Advocate for the development of a strong technology workforce through regional collaboration opportunities that bring the tech industry and supporting partners together.
Upcoming Meetings – Tech Talent Denver Virtual Sector Meeting, May 7th, 2020 8:00 am – 9:00 am
Contact Mike Aman at maman@jeffco.us to RSVP for the Virtual Sector Meeting or if you have any questions. - Denver Metro Construction Sector Partnership
The construction sector partnership is working together to build awareness of construction career opportunities and being a valued resource in developing a reliable talent pipeline for the skilled trades. Meetings are held each quarter. Join us in connecting our future workforce to great careers in construction. For more information, contact Jill Howard at jhoward@jeffco.us or call 303-271-4768.
Associated General Contractors website has current information related to COVID-19 specifically for the construction industry at: https://www.agc.org/coronavirus-covid-19
IRS| Coronavirus Tax Relief information
Tax Deadline changed to July 15. Other tax-related relief information and news.
SBDC| Covid-19 Small Business Response Resources
Resources and responses offered by SBDC to aid small business during the time of this crisis
OEDIT| Colorado COVID-19 Business Resource Center
Provides state and federal COVID-19 announcements, programs, and information relevant to Colorado businesses.
Grant Programs
- Colorado COVID Relief Fund from Help Colorado Now
Help Colorado Now has raised $7.7 million dollars from nearly 4,000 individuals, foundations and companies since the fund launched. The grant process has now begun and will be on a rolling basis. Those interested in applying for relief funds up to $25K can apply here.
Loan Programs
- Paycheck Protection Program information
- U.S. Small Business Administration Opens Bridge Loan Program
Express Bridge Loan (EBL) Pilot Program allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 with less paperwork. The small business must have been operational when the declared disaster commenced, and must meet all other 7(a) loan eligibility requirements. - Business Adapt-ABILITY Loan Program
This program is designed to augment your business’ ability to adapt to unplanned business expenses associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Please review the eligibility information below. If you’d like to apply, download the application, fill it out, save it as the name of your business and email the complete application to Kate Cooke at kcooke@wearelocalworks.org. - Alternatives to laying off your employees
Thinking of laying off employees? Consider the Work-Share Program.
The Work-Share Program provides an alternative to laying off employees by allowing them to keep working, but with fewer hours. While an employee is working fewer hours, he or she may be eligible to collect part of his or her regular unemployment benefits. - SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Colorado small businesses impacted by COVID-19 can seek individual small business loans up to $2M as part of the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Small businesses throughout all 64 counties may seek SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Governor Jared Polis announced that Colorado’s application for federal disaster area designation has been approved. - U.S. Small Business Administration | Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease
Updated resources for small businesses, including the new Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
Small Business Navigator contact for SBA loan related assistance: email oedit_sbnavigator@state.co.us or call 720.665.7439
Insurance
- Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America | Insurance-related Resources
Disaster planning toolkit, losses of business income implications, worker compensation, and more - Pinnacol | Coronavirus (COVID-19): Prevention tips to keep you and your employees safe
Tips to help prevent workplace exposures from the workers’ compensation provider, Pinnacol Assurance
- Work from home 101: A telecommuter’s guide to working remotely
This guide will have you and your team synchronized and working in harmony, wherever you happen to be. - How to Work From Home: 20 Tips From People Who Do It Successfully
A bunch of great work-at-home tips and tricks from Hubspot - 5 Tips for Staying Productive and Mentally Healthy While You’re Working From Home
Tips from work-from-home veterans and workplace experts - Working From Home During a Coronavirus Outbreak
Best practices for employees who may need to work remotely due to a coronavirus outbreak - Maintaining Mental Well-being During a Quarantine
Learn how to maintain your mental well-being during a quarantine with this Live Well, Work Well article
- Colorado Gives | Fundraising Pages
Create a personalized fundraising page to enlist all of the people you’re connected with to support your cause
- Free Scholastic “learn at home” courses
- Colorado Department of Public Health | COVID-19 Testing
Information about the state’s first community testing center for COVID-19 - Jeffco Public Schools | Coronavirus Update
A guide for parents to understand updates to closings, remote learning, and meals pick-up - Jeffco Schools Grab & Go Meals
- State health department provides recommendations for parents and guardians
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s tips for what do when school is closed - Helping Your Child/Children Cope with Changes Related to COVID-19
- Helping Kids Manage Anxieties Around Coronavirus
- Taking Care of Your Mental Health In Times of Uncertainty
- Press Releases from Governor Jared Polis
- 3/25| Jefferson County Public Health Issues Stay-at-home order
- 3/24| Mayor Michael B. Hancock announces a new Public Health Order with an explicit stay at home directive for the City and County of Denver to go into effect at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24 and continue until April 10.
- 3/22| Public Health Order 20-24 Implementing Fifty Percent Reduction in Nonessential Business In-person Work and Extreme Social Distancing
- 3/19| Gov. Polis Secures Federal Loan Assistance for Colorado’s Small Businesses
- 3/19 | Simon Property Group temporarily shuts down 3 Colorado malls over coronavirus
- 3/18 | FOX 31 | Colorado health officials ban public gatherings of more than 10 people with several exceptions
- 3/16 | CPR News | Polis Orders Statewide Closure Of Seating At Bars, Restaurants
- 3/16 | Xcel Energy suspends service disconnections
- 3/16 | The Denver Post | Denver restaurants are ordered closed except for carryout and delivery
- 3/16 | The Denver Post | [Updated] Colorado schools closed because of coronavirus
- 3/16 | New York Times | Congress to Vote on Coronavirus Rescue Package
- 3/15 | CDPHE recommends that Colorado follow CDC guidance to cancel or postpone in-person events of 50 people or more
- 3/15 | City of Arvada Facilities Closed to Public
- 3/13 | City of Arvada Declares State of Emergency
- 3/13 | Colorado Community Media | Colorado Legislature to shut down for at least two weeks amid COVID-19 concerns
- 3/13 | Colorado Community Media | Colorado urges cancellation of gatherings over 250 people
- 3/13 | RTD limits time in Union Station bus concourse
- 3/12 | Comcast Increases Access of Internet Essentials Through Coronavirus Pandemic
- 3/11 | The Denver Post | Colorado opens drive-thru coronavirus testing facility. Here’s what you need to know.
- 3/11 | CBS Denver | Coronavirus Update: 27 Cases Confirmed In Colorado
- 3/10 | CPR News | Colorado Coronavirus Efforts Under State Of Emergency Will Include Additional Paid Sick Leave For Workers And More Tests And Labs
For more information for businesses from the City of Wheat Ridge, visit:
https://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/1770/Business-Continuity-Support
- Resources, Cancellations/Closures, Community Resources updated by City of Wheat Ridge
- Emergency Preparedness Alerts
- City of Wheat Ridge Facebook page
- City of Wheat Ridge Twitter
- Wheat Ridge Police Department Twitter
