Colorado Clean Energy Fund

CCIA is excited to announce our partnership with the Colorado Clean Energy Fund . The Colorado Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit financial institution that operates on the “Green Bank” model successfully pioneered in other states, including Connecticut, New York, and Michigan. CCEF identifies unserved and underserved clean energy opportunities and works with a variety of stakeholders to structure creative and attractive finance solutions to bring those opportunities to fruition.   CCEF was born out of a three-year collaboration among the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) , the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Coalition for Green Capital (CGC) and a shared belief that a specialized, nonprofit intermediary was necessary to identify barriers to financing clean energy projects and bridge the gap between clean energy projects and traditional capital providers.   CCEF is weeks away from closing its first transaction and is currently raising capital to support its first direct lending product that will focus on addressing the challenges that small commercial businesses and property owners face when attempting to finance energy improvements for their buildings. That said, CCEF is also soliciting project finance opportunities across a range of clean energy sectors and would love to hear from you.    Please contact the Executive Director of CCEF, Paul Scharfenberger if you have a project in need of capital or if you’d just like to learn more about CCEF.

Events

Golden Angels Investor Forum Wednesday, April 8 | 2:30 pm For companies continuing to work on product development and solve serious problems that impact the planet, education and our health & well-being, these are obviously challenging times to be presenting to investors. But these founders are making progress, and welcome the opportunity to share their accomplishments and plans with our group. The two presenting companies are: Steelhead Composites & Respirogen Register

Earth Day 2020: Climate Change Solutions Wednesday, April 22 | 2:30 pm You’re invited to join the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the Institute for Science & Policy, and Denver7 on Earth Day 2020 for a free virtual panel discussion on climate change solutions, hosted by Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson! Register

Business & Personal Resources

Make4Covid Equipment shortages for doctors, nurses, and first responders are crippling their ability to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic at scale. Working alongside medical professionals, regulators, and experts, the Make4Covid community is designing, manufacturing, and testing medical and protective equipment to address this critical need. Learn More

Entrepreneurial Opportunity Contest - Denver Business Journal Do you have an innovative idea that will take your business to the next level? We’re looking for the best small business ideas and the minds driving them. We want to showcase your innovations and provide you the chance to win up to $10,000. Nominations close today, April 8 ! Learn More

GEM Webinar Series: On the Road to Energy Transformation Energy transformations occur everywhere and every second of the day. Today, the same transformation is seemingly happening with our industry markets, careers and strategy. So what does this mean for us? To help navigate these changes, the  Global Energy Management Program  has curated a three-part webinar to discuss our Energy Transformation. Part One is on April 9th . Visit the registration page for more information. More Information and Registration

Denver Metro Chamber: Unemployment Insurance Webinar Unemployment claims are on the rise and many Coloradans are at risk of being unemployed for some period of time as a result of COVID-19. Join them April 9th to learn what policy changes have been made to support our workforce on the federal and state levels, what resources are available to business and employees, and the process for making unemployment claims. Register Here

DOE Women Leading Sustainable Energy Collaborations Webinar Women across various offices at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) lead the agency in addressing America’s energy challenges. To highlight past, current, and future examples, an April 16, 2020 webinar from 11-12 am will feature DOE leaders from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: Valerie Reed, deputy director of the Bioenergy Technologies Office, Valri Lightner, deputy director of the Advanced Manufacturing Office, and Alison Hewett, a senior research analyst in the Water Power Technologies Office. Register Here

Emergency Special Enrollment Period Extended for Connect for Health Colorado An emergency Special Enrollment period has been extended until Thursday, April 30, 2020 to help as many Coloradans as possible with healthcare coverage during the COVID-19 outbreak. If you don't have health insurance, have recently lost health insurance or will lose your health insurance soon, you are eligible to enroll. Enroll now on the Connect for Health Colorado website

Rockies Venture Club COVID-19 Startup Resource Guide RVC put the following Resource Guide together to help steer startups and others in the ecosystem towards opportunities that can bridge businesses and teams, along with additional services and pieces that may be of interest. RVC COVID-19 Resource Guide

Startup Colorado Podcast The Startup Colorado team is pivoting in response to the ongoing crisis by providing a new podcast series featuring rural entrepreneurs and community champions who are rising to the occasion.  Listen to the podcast

Request No-Cost Consulting from the Minority Business Office The MBO team is dedicated to helping you understand the myriad of certifications available to you as a minority, veteran or woman-owned business. Already certified? Let our experts help you make the most of those certifications by learning how to best market yourself as a certified business. Request No-Cost Consulting

New Coronavirus Relief Law Requires Paid Employee Leave Legal Document Update from CCIA Member, ISU Insurance , explaining the new coronavirus bill. This document contains the legal parameters and rights employers have under this bill. Legal Document Update from ISU Insurance.

Colorado Small Business Disaster Relief Resources The Colorado Small Business Development Network has resources for small businesses in Colorado in response to the outbreak. Find the resources offered to your small businesses on their website. COVID-19 Small Business Response Resources

Critical Supply List and Manufacturing Specs The maker community has created an open-source compendium of manufacturing blueprints and specs for many of the critical items on state and hospital critical needs lists. The specs are housed in a Google doc that has a great deal of information and is a good source of manufacturing information for making hand sanitizer, examination gloves, negative pressure rooms, and much more. Access the Google Doc

Colorado Bioscience Association Business Resource Guide CBSA is working diligently with Colorado's policy makers and business leaders to support Colorado in the response to the pandemic. Reference the resource page for more information. COVID-19 CBSA Business Resource Guide

Help Colorado Now Looking to help Coloradans during this time? Learn more here:   Help Colorado Now

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources Health and government officials are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy. Visit Website

Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network COVID-19 Response Network BEN has cultivated resources for businesses in Colorado to navigate the challenges and concerns of the COVID-19 outbreak. COVID-19 Resources from BEN

CHUBB Recommendations for Working From Home CCIA member Chubb has strategies for working at home. Managing a Remote Team & Adjusting to Remote Work

Looking to lend a hand during COVID-19? The Colorado Maker Hub has a list of Colorado maker initiatives and organizations that are supporting the fight against COVID-19. If you have time, resources or talent you would like to donate to support the cause, please reference this list. Colorado Maker Efforts in Colorado

CCIA's Constant Contact Partnership Program As the world transitions to online-only business networking and interactions, it's more important to have a reliable email platform. CCIA relies on Constant Contact to stay connected and in communication with members. During this time of increased need for a platform like Constant Contact, we would like to extend a discount to the CCIA network. Sign up through CCIA’s partnership program and receive a discount of 20% if you pay by month, 30% if you prepay for 6 months, and 40% off if you prepay for the full year.  View Pricing (discount applied at checkout) Already using Constant Contact? Move your account under CCIA's Partnership Program to save! Email Erin Penksa with the following: First name & last name of account holder Account username Written consent to your account being moved under CCIA's partnership.

Does your business have COVID-19 resources that you would like offer the CCIA network during this time? Please send your information to Haley Whittaker.