There’s no denying it – COVID-19 has impacted all of us. But underlying all these changes are the values that make Colorado unique – these values helped us build the strongest economy in the nation and these values will help us get through this crisis as well.
In Colorado, we work together. We’ve seen businesses pivoting from making ski gear or window coverings to manufacturing personal protective equipment, restaurants making meals to deliver to health care workers and that can be delivered to your door without contacting another person, and financial experts volunteering their time to help small businesses access available resources.
At the Chamber, we have had two priorities throughout this time:
- Help employers keep their employees on payroll and their businesses viable until they can all get back to work.
- Provide financial support to those employees who have been laid off, so they and their families don’t suffer even worse economic consequences.
The Chamber family is here to support you always – and especially during challenging times. Here are some of the ways we’re working for you.
Collaborating with Federal, State and Local Leaders
Our team is working daily with federal, state and local officials to represent the business community’s voice in decisions being made around COVID-19. To help us do this, we’re asking you to take a survey on policy that could further assist you and your employees during this time or policy that could impact your efforts to keep employees on payroll and your organizations viable. Take the survey.
On that note, a business coalition has come together to urge Governor Polis to work with the General Assembly to give Colorado counties the authority and flexibility to adjust or delay property taxes during this unprecedented time. Read the letter being submitted and sign on if your organization is in support.
Supporting Small Businesses
Our Denver Metro Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is working closely with partners who can advise small businesses on how to respond to this crisis. We can help businesses access the federal CARES Act and assist with disaster loan applications, long-term planning, insurance navigation, physical and economic loss estimations, business preparedness and more. Visit the Denver Metro SBDC website for more information at denversbdc.org or contact them at info@denversbdc.org.
Honoring Our Mission-Critical Companies
Colorado is home to a number of companies offering essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. These companies safeguard our national security, put food on our families’ tables, create life-saving medical drugs and devices, keep the lights on and the internet reliable, and work to ensure the stability of our financial system. Their frontline contributions keep us safe, fed and connected. But even more than that, their efforts are helping to keep the Colorado economy moving forward. So, we want to thank these businesses and highlight their important work. Join us in honoring our mission-critical companies specifically, and also tell us what you’re doing to keep the economy on track by using the hashtag #workingtokeepusworking.
Launching the COVID-19 Business Resource Center
Our team has worked to curate a range of pandemic-related materials – offering businesses of all sizes and across industries, as well as workers, a one-stop COVID-19 Business Resource Center at denverchamber.org/covid. This includes a list of resources for our workforce – from filing unemployment and securing child care to finding job opportunities and accessing food banks.
Coming Together Virtually for Our COVID-19 Webinar Series
As we all navigate our new remote workplace culture, the Chamber is offering a series of webinars for you and your employees on a variety of topics, including policy, small business resources and unemployment.
The next webinar on “Managing Employees During COVID-19” is Thursday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to noon. Register for the webinar.
Also see the recordings of past webinars and the upcoming schedule at denverchamber.org/covidprograms.
Helping Business Engage in Community Response
B:CIVIC is stepping up its efforts to empower organizations and their people to do more for their communities. Representing the leaders in corporate social responsibility, B:CIVIC has launched a COVID-19 resource website to share best practices from companies taking a stand through grantmaking, crisis communications, nonprofit support and virtual volunteering. The team also is hosting regular webinars where community leaders are sharing stories of impact, current trends and community updates. Learn more at bcivic.org/covid-19-best-practices-tools.
Leading in Crisis
There’s a saying that the true test of leadership is how we respond in crisis. The Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation continues its work to educate and inspire leaders as our community faces this current crisis. Our team has put together virtual resources to continue Leadership Denver, Impact Denver and other programs, and we are launching a new series called Virtual Voices for our alumni. Learn more at denverleadership.org/events/.
Continuing Our Important Recruitment Work
Our economic development efforts continue. The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation is still recruiting new companies and working with existing ones as they explore opportunities to move to or expand within metro Denver.
While the road ahead remains uncertain, we know that we will get through this. I’m already hearing from several of you who are preparing for the next phase – reentry back into the workplace. We will share best practices and things to consider in future webinars on this topic
Please tell us what else we can do to support you now and help prepare you for the future.
Kelly Brough is the president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber.