Economy
State announces new Gap Fund for Colorado’s small businesses
Small business owners who may not have gotten federal coronavirus relief funds earlier in the pandemic — or who need additional help to stay afloat — can apply for grants and low-interest loans through a public-private partnership starting Aug. 31, Colorado officials announced. “There’s always more that unites us than separates us, and support for […]
Paid family and medical leave qualifies for Colorado ballot
Proponents of a ballot initiative establishing a new paid family and medical leave program in Colorado submitted enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot, the secretary of state’s office announced Aug. 25. Initiative 283 would provide 12 weeks of paid family or medical leave. Businesses with 10 or more employees would pay a premium […]
‘Desperate’ need for more federal COVID-19 aid, Colorado advocates say
Nearly a month after the expiration of a key federal aid program and two weeks after the U.S. Senate adjourned without passing new COVID-19 relief legislation, many Coloradans’ financial situations are growing more dire by the day, a panel of community advocates said Tuesday. Unemployment payments have dropped sharply. Rents and mortgages are going unpaid […]
Colorado unemployment claims tick up again, remain far above 2019 levels
Nearly 19,000 Coloradans filed initial claims for some kind of unemployment assistance last week, as workers across the state continue to feel the devastating economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In a press release, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment said that 6,942 regular unemployment claims had been filed in Colorado in the week ending Aug. […]
Colorado to pay $300 weekly unemployment boost by mid-September
Most Coloradans who are collecting unemployment benefits can expect to see a sizable increase in their payments by mid-September, officials with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment said Wednesday — but it remains unclear exactly how much of a boost they’ll get, and how long it will last. An extra $300 per week in […]
Colorado approved for $300 extra a week in federal unemployment assistance
The Trump administration has approved Colorado to receive new funding for unemployment assistance, according to a FEMA news release. Eligible jobless residents will be able to claim $300 extra a week. FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Colorado, along with Missouri and Utah, on Sunday for grants under the program, which was adopted by executive action, […]
Need for proposed supportive housing project not contested, only its location
A proposed supportive housing and recuperative care facility in Denver received push-back this week from an area business owner who is concerned about the concentration of poverty in the area. On Tuesday, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless presented to the State Housing Board a new housing project that aims to create 98 affordable and […]
Emergency housing funds could dry up by mid-November, state official says
There wasn’t much good news announced during Colorado’s monthly State Housing Board meeting on Tuesday. The meeting came as fear continues to mount among housing advocates and nonprofits over a looming eviction crisis. On Aug. 10, Gov. Jared Polis extended an executive order that requires Colorado landlords to give tenants 30 days notice before filing […]
Rural areas in Colorado lack mental health providers. A $1.5 million grant aims to fill the gaps.
A statewide shortage of mental health and addiction providers is acutely felt in Colorado’s rural communities, many of which have high rates of suicide and overdose. A new fellowship program, supported by the Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence and funded through United Health Foundation, aims to change that — or at least make a significant […]
Confusion, concern follows Trump COVID relief orders
Before issuing a series of executive actions relating to coronavirus relief at his New Jersey golf club on Aug. 8, President Donald Trump suggested to reporters that the move “will take care of pretty much this entire situation.” But Colorado officials have quickly joined their counterparts in other states in panning Trump’s orders, which they […]
At least 25% of Colorado renters are at risk of eviction in the coming months, new analysis finds
Between 436,000 and 596,000 people in Colorado — or 25%-36% of renters in the state — could be at risk of eviction by the end of the year, according to new analysis. The analysis, released on Friday by the nonprofit The Aspen Institute, estimates that 29 million renters across the country are at risk of […]
Landlords in Adams County can apply for rental assistance on behalf of tenants
Landlords of residential properties in Adams County can now apply for rental assistance on behalf of tenants who have fallen behind on their rent and could face eviction as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. In partnership with Adams County and local municipalities, Maiker Housing Partners announced it will allocate more than $1.5 million for […]