COVID-19 Resources for Employers and Business Owners

We know many small businesses have been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. These resources specifically are dedicated to helping small businesses determine options and assistance for moving forward.

• The Denver Metro Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Free one-on-one consulting and a variety of web resources are available through the SBDC. Our consultants are available to assist you with securing funding. You can apply for consulting at www.denversbdc.org/consulting or reach out for information at info@denversbdc.org.
• The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade: Access a variety of resources including information about layoffs, unemployment and funding options. The office also has a small business navigation hotline available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 303-860-5881 or oedit_sbanavigator@state.co.us.
• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s small business toolkit: This includes an overview of COVID-19-related legislation including the recent federal stimulus package, SBA lending information and instructions and resource lists.
• The SBA small business guidance and loan resources: Outlines federal funding opportunities and resources.
• The City and County of Denver’s COVId-19 resources page: Learn more about Denver’s microloans, grants and waived late fees for small businesses. You can also fill out the City’s web form to notify city officials about how your business has been impacted and start a conversation about how to move forward with assistance.

• The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment: Find resources for employees and employers related to unemployment insurance, paid sick leave, regulations and more.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers: This resource includes information about how to slow transmission and manage essential business workplaces including operations and HR best practices specific to COVID-19.
• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Communications resources, policy updates and more for employers.
• The U.S. Department of Labor: Get information on what type of leave you are required to provide as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
• B:CIVIC: Corporate social responsibility best practices and tools.

• Federal Lending and Grants: The U.S. Chamber provides a helpful overview of all federal small business stimulus and aid programs.
  • U.S. Paycheck Protection Program is an emergency and forgivable loan to cover monthly payroll and mortgage interest for up to 2.5 months. Loans will be forgiven if the employer either continues to employ its workers or rehires them when they reopen for business. Contact your current lender or banker to find out if they are part of the program. You can apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) at any lending institution that is approved to participate through the existing U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) lending program and additional lenders approved by the Department of Treasury. We recommend that you reach out to your existing lender as soon as possible to find out if they plan to participate in the program. In coming weeks we will share a full list of participating lenders. We recommend that you reach out to your existing lender as soon as possible to find out if they plan to participate in the program. In the coming weeks, we will share a full list of participating lenders.
    • PPP Application form.
    • PPP Information Sheet Borrowers
    • View the Colorado Small Business Development Center’s graphic on the differences between PPP and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
    • Watch the difference PPP & EDIL  in Spanish
    • SBA Lender List for Colorado
    • Chamber member banks assisting with funding
    • U.S. Small Business Administration Find-a-Lender Tool
  • SBA low-interest disaster loans of up to $2 million are available to small businesses and nonprofits without alternative credit available. They can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and additional bills that can’t be paid because of COVID-19’s impact.
  • Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program allows small businesses that currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 with less paperwork.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Save Small Business Fund: The Save Small Business Fund provides assistance to small businesses and local chambers of commerce. The Chamber Foundation will distribute $5,000 grants to small employers in the U.S. and its territories.
• Colorado COVID Relief Fund: Nonprofit organizations, local government, school districts and limited small businesses can apply for grants of up to $25,000 if they meet specific criteria including organization type, population served and proof they meet a community-driven need through their programs and services within one of the priority areas of prevention, impact and recovery.
• Colorado Lending Source’s Resources for Lending: View funding options available to small businesses during COVID-19
  • Kiva Loans
• Coronavirus Tax Relief: The IRS has established a special section focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus.
  • Grant Thornton’s tax insights FAQ on clarifying the payroll  tax deferral 
• COVID-19 Finance Assistance Network: Lew’s List in partnership with High Plains Advisors and Foundry Group have assembled a group of CFOs, Controllers, and other senior Finance professionals to help businesses survive.
• Facebook Small Business Grant Program: Facebook announced a $40 million grant program for the
  United States to help the communities where our employees live and work. View details (available in Spanish).
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Main Street Lending Program: As a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Federal Reserve has created the Main Street Lending Program to provide a total of $600 billion in financing for small and medium-sized businesses.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Independent Contractor Resources Guide Document: If you are an independent contractor or self-employed, you may be eligible for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans/grants, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and/or Unemployment Compensation for losses of income related to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Local resources: Check with your local government to find out if they are offering microloans or grants. Many banks are also extending loans, so check with your existing lenders as well.
  • Aurora Economic Relief Loan & Grant Program
  • Brighton COVID-19 Relief Fund
  • Boulder Small Business Relief Fund
  • City and County of Denver Small Business Emergency Relief Program: Available for the city of Denver, this fund will provide grants or microloans up to $7,500 for eligible small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
  • COVID-19 Response Fund Boulder County
  • Wheat Ridge Small Business Stabilization Program

• Denver Metro Chamber’s Daily Temperature and Symptom Check Form
• American Medical Association’s Recommendations for Returning to Work
• ASHRAE’s COVID-19 Preparedness Resources
• Occupational Safety and Health Act Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
• CDPHE Environmental Cleaning Guidance for COVID-19
• CDPHE Recommendations for Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility
• COVID-19 CDPHE Worker and Customer Protection Guidelines for Non-Health Care Industries
• COVID-19 and the American Workplace
• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019
• PCL’s Smart Screening & Testing Pod Guide
• State of Colorado Recommendations for Setting up a Health Screening
• US Chamber of Commerce Employee Screening Questionnaire
• Workplace Readiness Essentials: The migration from furloughed and Work From Home (WFH) workforce back to places of business will look different for every organization. Here are six tips on operational guiding principles to help navigate the return to the workplace:

Connect with resources for your current or former employees.

Together, Chamber members are helping one another by sharing their own resources with other members in need. Please contact Amanda.Robinson@denverchamber.org if you have expertise, equipment or discounts to share.  View member resources.

• Arts and Culture:
  • Arts Through It All: Collaboration among a coalition of arts and cultural organizations, including Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, Colorado Creative Industries, Scientific & Cultural Facilities District, and several local and regional arts agencies, including Denver Arts & Venues, City of Boulder Office of Arts and Culture, and the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region.
• Food and Beverage:
  • Operation Family Meal: A collaborative effort by Chow to provide free meals and mental health support to those within our industry that are out of work during COVID-19.
  • Denver Metro Emergency Food Network: Delivers free, prepared meals to homebound families and elderly individuals in need during the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Kroger’s Blueprint for Businesses: Read about best practices to help your business develop protocols and procedures to reopen the economy safely and continue to flatten the curve.
• Government:
  • U.S. Department of Treasury’s Guide on Assistance for State and Local Governments
• Health care resources:
  • For Providers:
    • FCC COVID-19 Telehealth Program
    • Health & Human Services Provider Telehealth
  • Resources for Patients:
    • Health & Human Services Patient Telehealth
• International Business:  COVID-19 Resources for Trade Participants and International Business
• Manufacturers: COVID-19 Updates and Resources for Manufacturers 
  • CAMA’s MFG Leaders – Virtual Leadership Series on May 13
• Nonprofits:
  • Colorado Nonprofit Association Resources
  • Rose Community Foundation’s  Philanthropic Services team
• Transportation:  RTD’s COVID-19 Stay Healthy Tips