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Covid-19 Resources
City Allowing More Outdoor Space for Businesses
The City of Durango has announced that regulations governing on-site parking requirements will be temporarily relaxed to help facilitate outdoor business transactions. Businesses can use up to 25 percent of their required on-site parking spaces for seating, merchandise display and conducting transactions with customers. Businesses must continue to abide by state and local orders governing operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses are also required to complete San Juan Basin Public Health’s self-certification form to ensure proper social distancing practices are in place.
More information can be found here: Order 2020-06 On-Site Parking
COVID-19 Temporary Signage
There has been a temporary relaxation of regulations governing signage, such as banners, teardrop banners and sandwich boards, to allow local businesses which are lawfully in operation to advertise their services. Local businesses are encouraged to use additional signage to draw customers while continuing to abide by state and local orders governing business operations and social distancing practices. For more details, please review the following:
Business Resources
The City of Durango is working closely with local, state, and federal partners to provide accurate information on COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of our community. The Community Development Department understands the widespread impact and disruptions COVID-19 is having on Durango businesses. We are committed to helping our local businesses and employees mitigate the economic harm during these challenging times.
Visits to the Community Development Department can take place M - F, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Masks are currently required in the River City Hall building. Please contact Business Development & Redevelopment Coordinator Tommy Crosby at (970) 375-4855 or Tommy.Crosby@durangogov.org with any questions.
Below is a list of resources for businesses affected by COVID-19.
Regional Resources:
- City utility bill late fees to be waived
- The City of Durango is instituting a moratorium on service disconnection for Water and Sewer during the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration. City water, sewer, trash and recycling service will continue, and late fees will be waived on city utility bills for through April 30, 2020. The City will work with customers on payment plan options for those who may find themselves unable to pay their bills in full during this time of difficulty. To discuss payment options, please call Customer Service at 970-375-5034.
- Southwest Colorado Disaster Assistance
- SWCODA is a repository of resources and information that shares the many ways people can get assistance during this time, and how individuals and businesses can get involved and help.
- A major function of SWCODA is to raise awareness and assist with fundraising efforts for the Community Emergency Relief Fund (CERF). This fund is set up for broad-based community emergencies in Southwest Colorado. CERF is actively fundraising for consequences directly related to the COVID-19 public health crisis in Southwest Colorado.
- Business Improvement District
- Find out more about the BID’s various initiatives to support local businesses affected by COVID-19.
- Durango Chamber of Commerce
- Click here to stay up-to-date on the Chamber’s COVID-19 business response videos released every Tuesday and Thursday.
- Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado
- Learn more about applying for Region 9’s Disaster Assistance Loan Program which provides low cost loans up to $10,000 to help cover essential businesses expenses.
- La Plata County Economic Development Alliance
- View the LPEDA’s Region 9 Business Resource Webinar to find about more regional and statewide programs available to your business,
- Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center
- At no charge, the SBDC can provide you consulting and assistance to help your business devise a plan to navigate through these difficult times.
- Call the Small Business COVID-19 Disaster Response Hotline - (303) 860-5881 - for more questions about federal, state, and local assistance programs and licensing requirements.
State of Colorado Resources:
- Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
- Check out the Colorado COVID-19 Business Resource Center for state and federal updates.
- Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
- Click here for alternatives to laying off your employees, including the Work Share Program.
- During layoffs, all employees are encouraged to apply for unemployment insurance.
- Help Colorado Now
- Help Colorado Now has launched a grant program for community-based organizations providing direct assistance. Those interested in applying for relief funds up to $25K can apply here.
- Colorado Department of Revenue
- If you cannot file your Colorado income tax return by the extended deadline of May 17, 2021, you may take advantage of the state’s automatic six-month extension of time to file.
Federal Resources:
- Small Business Administration
- Small Businesses throughout Colorado are eligible to apply for the Small Business Administration’s Disaster Loans. The SBA offers up to $2 million in low-interest loans to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations to help alleviate the economic injury caused by COVID-19. Click here to learn more and apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Click here for the CDC’s Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- IRS
- The Internal Revenue Service announced that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.