April 12, 2021
If you cannot join us in person, please join us via zoom:

RSVP for in person are now closed but you are welcome to attend via the zoom link above.

***Please note masks are required for all attendees to enter the facility and while moving round the facility. Masks may be removed anytime while seated. Thank you for your respect of the Recreation Center rules.
Please join us for this Mastermind type Networking Meeting on April 20th.
Sponsorships are available first come first served with a printing deadline of April 22nd. To find out more or finalize your sponsorship, please call Natalie at 303-857-4474.
Grant Applications for Business and Non Profit Organizations.
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Links below to access all requirements and applications. Be sure to see if your business or organization is a good fit.
Colorado Rural Resiliency and Recovery Roadmaps applications are open
Colorado was awarded two CARES Act Recovery Assistance planning grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to support Colorado’s economic recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. 

The two programs are:
Colorado Rural Resiliency and Recovery Roadmaps: applications are open through DOLA's Colorado Resiliency Office and are due May 13.
We're hiring for 2 positions within OEDIT associated with the Rural Roadmaps program. Please share with your networks and encourage qualified applicants to apply.
EDA Rural Program Coordinator - April 16 deadline
Rural Opportunity Data Analyst - April 16 deadline
Colorado Tourism Roadmap to Recovery: applications will open in early May through the Colorado Tourism Office.
Communities are eligible to participate in both programs.

Key updates and changes to Federal COVID-19 funding programs
Restaurant Revitalization Fund: This fund will offer $28.6 billion in grants to hard-hit restaurants and bars, with restaurants able to apply for grants based on lost revenue. Applications will open in early April.
Shuttered Venues Operators Grant: The SBA launched a splash page for the application portal in anticipation of opening grant applications on April 8.
Paycheck Protection Program: The application deadline has been extended to May 31. We strongly encourage businesses to take advantage of this program. If banks said you didn't qualify previously, you should try again because of the recent changes. To apply for this round, you do not need to have had the first round of your PPP loan forgiven. You only must have already used the funds from the first round to apply for the second round.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Starting the week of April 6, the SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000.
Remind your local businesses and organizations to visit our COVID-19 Business and Nonprofit Resources webpage for the latest updates or them to OEDIT’s Minority Business Office and regional Small Business Development Centers. (Both offer free technical assistance and 1:1 consulting to help answer questions and provide needed support.)

Other OEDIT Grants & Programs
Advance Colorado Spring 2021 Virtual Procurement Expo, April 28, 9-10 a.m. Join the Minority Business Office to hear from experts in contracting, procurement, and certification. This virtual expo will offer insights from procurement experts, success stories of procurement in challenging times, and education on how to win more business. This virtual event will be focused towards business owners to provide educational materials and a panel on securing purchasing opportunities. While this event will not offer an exhibiting opportunity, we hope to provide that option at the fall, in-person event.
CLIMBER fund: This fund provides up to $250 million in working capital loans to Colorado small businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic through 2023. We recommend that businesses first take advantage of PPP loans, as they can be forgivable loans.

Colorado Creates Grant: These grants provide general operating support for nonprofit arts organizations to create arts programs and activities. Applications will open in mid April and are due June 7.

New programs from our rural OEDIT Partners
Remote Work Initiative Launches: The percent of remote workers is expected to double this year and more than two thirds of employers expect remote work to be a permanent part of their staffing plans. Given the significant role that remote work will play in our evolving workforce, the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC), CDLE, and OEDIT have enlisted the online expertise of CSU Global to help prepare workers and employers to thrive in a virtual team environment. 
Two separate online certificate programs have been designed to help workers and employers alike prepare to succeed in a virtual workplace environment. Worker certificates provide participants with strategies for successful productivity, collaboration, and advancement within remote and hybrid work environments. Employer certificates equip managers and leaders with the best practices, tools, insights, and skills needed to effectively lead remote individuals and teams in any industry. These certificates will keep Colorado’s workforce connected, productive, and prepared for evolving work environments. Enrollment is now open for these remote work courses.
Startup Colorado Scholarship & Sponsorship Program: Startup Colorado offers a limited number of financial awards to support the growth of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial communities across rural Colorado. For entrepreneurs and creatives, there are scholarship offerings to help access educational and networking opportunities. Community partners and business support organizations can apply for a sponsorship to develop new community events, initiatives and programs that seek to promote entrepreneurial activation, growth, and education.Startup Colorado prioritizes the funding of projects, initiatives and events that prioritize collaboration, inclusiveness, accessibility, and community support.
Current Development Projects - City of Fort Lupton
See who is coming to town next!
For more information and updates view the link below.

Business Licensing & Permits
Sometimes we have business changes and questions about permits and licensing. Follow this link for answers.
The Chamber Office has MOVED.....
Until we have our final resting place ready, you can continue to reach us online www.fortluptochamber.org , via phone or text at 303-857-4474.

PO Box 404
Fort Lupton, CO 80621

  • April 14 - Chamber Luncheon
  • April 20 - Coffee & Chat
  • May 12- Chamber Luncheon
  • Annual Awards Banquet - May 21

Online Auction to help LifeStories
Join Life Stories Child & Family Advocacy as we bring inspiration and hope together in support of children in need during our Light of Hope online event presented by Richmark. Between April 11 – 25 we hope to raise more than $30,000 to help abused and neglected children in Weld County. You can help by bidding in our online auction and planting a pinwheel in our virtual garden by donating $25 or more. Follow the event on our website https://www.lifestoriesweld.org/events/light-of-hope/ or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/304772624405084
Fort Lupton 2021 Facade Improvement Grant Program Open Until May 1, 2021.
Fort Lupton Urban Renewal Authority Member Opening
The Fort Lupton Urban Renewal Authority is looking for an alternate member to join the board. The Authority is the redevelopment agency for the City of Fort Lupton and was formed to promote redevelopment and reinvestment within the City and to create a thriving community that is economically diverse.
In order to qualify as an alternate, you must either own and operate a business and reside in the City, or be a resident of the City. The alternate should plan to attend all meetings of the Authority, and be prepared to serve in place of a regular member that is absent.
The Board meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM. For more information, please contact Alyssa Knutson at 720-466-6128.

You can change the life of a child! Become a CASA volunteer. The CASA program at Life Stories Child & Family Advocacy is recruiting volunteers to advocate for children who have been abused. No experience necessary, just a passion for helping children. Our next independent learning session starts the week of April 12. Our next regular training begins in June. Contact Sharon@lifestoriesweld.org or visit lifestoriesweld.org/casa for more information.
Veteran Assistance
Veterans & Family Advocacy
If you are a Veteran or family member needing assistance and feel stuck because everyone else has told you no, give us a call.
 
We are not the VA, or therapists, or counselors; we’re a resource hub. Our job is to listen to your need and align you with vetted resources that can assist and move you forward in resolving your issue whether VA or non-VA related.
 
We’ve been successful in helping Veterans and families find more peace in their life by reducing stress, lessening anxiety, and restoring hope. We would like to help you.
Qualified Listeners is a Veteran & Family Resource Hub serving northern Colorado and southern Wyoming. We impact lives, we change lives, we save lives. For more information visit www.QualifiedListeners.org or call 720-600-0860.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Qualified Listeners has partnered with King Soopers to help support Veterans through their Community Rewards Program for no more than your actual cost of groceries at the checkout. They donate 5% of your total monthly purchases directly into Qualified Listeners’ Veteran Relief Fund to help those in need.
 
You will need a King Soopers shopper’s card and an online account.
 
Visit www.kingsooperscommunityrewards.com. Click “Link Your Shopper’s Card”. Sign into your King Soopers account or create an account.
 
Once logged into your account, click on the Community Rewards tab and search for Qualified Listeners or NPO# BV076. Click Enroll. That’s it! You’re done!
COVID-19 Business Resources
Free Legal Advice in Colorado
COVID-19 Assistance: Free Legal Advice & Help for Colorado Small Businesses
Small businesses provide half of Colorado’s jobs. They have been especially hard-hit by the COVID-19 economic crisis, with minority and woman-owned small businesses being hit the hardest. Volunteer attorneys have offered to provide legal help to Colorado’s small businesses so they can get back on their feet.
This website was created to match small businesses that need limited free legal advice regarding COVID-19 related issues with volunteer lawyers. If you are a small business that needs legal help, you can submit an application and we will ask our volunteer lawyers if they are willing to assist you. If you are a lawyer who wants to help, please sign up to volunteer.
The site also includes other resources available to small businesses, particularly minority and woman-owned small businesses, to meet the challenges of the pandemic. If you identify resources you think we should add to the website, please let us know.




Like other states, Colorado continues to see increased unemployment fraud activity. Many Colorado employers are noticing fraudulent unemployment claims being filed in the names of active employees.

When a claim is filed using the identity of one of your employees, you receive a questionnaire by email or U.S. mail requesting information about the job separation. If your employee is still employed, and they state they did not file a claim, please complete the questionnaire as soon as possible.

Employees who are the victim of UI fraud should submit a Fraud Report online. They should visit ColoradoUI.gov, click the “Report Fraud” button, then the “Submit a Fraud Report” button. Our website also outlines other important steps that employees who are victims of UI fraud should take. 

Please feel free to share this infographic with your employees.
COVID Business Hotline 303-860-5881
FREE Webinars from the SBDC
Webinar Topics in English, Spanish and MANY TOPICS

All COVID-19 Business Resources have been combined HERE and are updated regularly.

COVID-19 Personal & Health Resources
All Personal Resources have been combined HERE and are updated regularly.

 olorado Sprit is a North Range Behavioral Health-provided resource to assist those whose behavioral health has been impacted by COVID-19. At no cost to patients, it provides assistance and confidential support to people struggling with mental and emotional challenges as a result of the crisis caused by this pandemic.  Please contact Shawna Cranmer (shawna.cranmer@northrange.org) with questions.
 
Additionally, there is now a specialized confidential/no cost statewide telephone/text support line for Teachers/Educators and Healthcare Workers (303-724-2500), being offered by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The line is open 8:00am-8:00pm 7 days a week. 

For the latest updates from the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment visit:
 
·       COVID-19 Testing Locations in Weld County:


COVID-19 TESTING INFORMATION

 
To learn more about the testing or to register, please visit: https://mako.exchange/scheduler/registration/?location=2714
 
Colorado Sprit is a North Range Behavioral Health-provided resource to assist those whose behavioral health has been impacted by COVID-19. At no cost to patients, it provides assistance and confidential support to people struggling with mental and emotional challenges as a result of the crisis caused by this pandemic. See the attached email and below-linked website for more details.