August 2020 WILDFIRES UPDATE Colorado is currently grappling with eight large fires across the state. There are also numerous small fires, and new ones are starting daily. The following are wildfires currently burning in Colorado: Pine Gulch Fire: 135,920 acres, 47% contained. Grizzly Creek Fire: 32,060 acres, 61% contained. Cameron Peak Fire: 21,017 acres, 0% contained. Williams Fork Fire: 11,726 acres, 5% contained. Lewstone Fire: Good news. This 168-acre fire is 100% contained and evacuations have been lifted! Thorpe Fire: Mostly on USFS land, 160 acres, 50% contained and evacuations were lifted last night. East Fork Fire: Near Las Animas County, 108 acres, 30% contained and no threat to homes or infrastructure. Willis Creek Fire: Near San Isabel, estimated 40 acres, 50% contained. We all need to continue to do our part by following the fire ban as we will still be in danger of starting new fires if the dry, hot weather continues. ENERGIZE COLORADO GAP FUND Governor Polis was joined today by bill sponsors, Senators Jeff Bridges and Faith Winter, along with Kent Thiry, Co-Chair of Energize Colorado, to announce the upcoming launch of the Gap Fund application. The application will go live on Monday, August 31. The Fund will provide more than $25 million in loans and grants, and will be targeted to small, minority-owned, and rural businesses and nonprofits that have been hardest hit by the statewide shutdown and that have limited access or no access to other means of financing through federal, state, or local programs. Sole proprietors, businesses and nonprofits with less than 25 full-time employees can apply for up to a $15,000 grant and a $20,000 loan for a possible combined total of $35,000 in financial assistance. The application was designed to be as user-friendly as possible. There will be a wide range of assistance available to help individuals complete the application, including by phone, email, and online chat through the website. Small businesses and nonprofits that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic are encouraged to visit EnergizeColorado.com starting on Monday to apply for funds. This ambitious proposal represents a holistic effort by both Democrats and Republicans in the state legislature coming together to provide much-needed relief to small businesses and nonprofits across the state that are reeling from the pandemic. The Gap Fund would not have been possible without strong partnerships with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Economic Development Commission, the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, and community and nonprofit micro-lenders around the state. The administration is thankful for the bill’s sponsors, State Representatives Mary Young and Perry Will, as well as State Senators Faith Winter and Jeff Bridges, for crafting this bill and working to get it across the finish line. This proposal passed both chambers of the state legislature unanimously. That’s no easy feat, and it’s a testament to the hard work and commitment of countless Coloradans. SPECIAL EVICTION PREVENTION TASK FORCE Today, the Governor issued an Executive Order to establish a temporary task force with the Department of Local Affairs that examines housing instability and works to prevent evictions due to COVID-19 hardship. The goal is to develop concrete, actionable recommendations to ensure Coloradans remain stably housed in the coming months. Members will report directly to the Governor and the Executive Director of the Department of Local Affairs, and their recommendations will be due within 30 days of their first meeting. The task force will consist of 10 individuals from diverse backgrounds spanning housing, development, advocacy, banking, and local government. These members will collaborate closely with the Department of Local Affairs’ Division of Housing, the Strategic Housing Working Group, and the Governor’s office, and will focus on addressing landlord and tenant relations, improving methods for connecting Coloradans to key services, alleviating financial hardships facing Coloradans due to COVID-19, while boosting capacity of existing housing resources and organizations. The economic impacts of COVID-19 have been severe and have spared few. Coloradans were forced to take drastic action back in March to reduce the spread of the virus, which included a statewide shutdown and widespread business closures. Had we not acted, tens of thousands more Coloradans would have lost their lives. It was the right decision. Unfortunately, that necessary action to save lives came with economic consequences that have destabilized many Coloradans’ financial livelihoods. The process of getting Coloradans back to work and stably housed is gradual and must take evolving public health conditions into account. Many Coloradans continue to experience substantial loss of income and wages as a result of business closures and layoffs, and this hinders their ability to keep up with rent payments and other bills. And at a time where the home is the safest place to be, providing housing for all must be prioritized. It’s important to note that this task force represents only one part of the ongoing discussion. In February, the Division of Housing announced the formation of the Strategic Housing Working Group that will advise on Colorado’s affordable housing needs and will bring forth a comprehensive response to our long-term housing crisis. NEW INDOOR VISITATION GUIDELINES In March, the state placed significant restrictions on the ability for loved ones to visit senior living facilities and nursing homes because the risk of COVID-19 is so high for older Coloradans. We know these decisions come at a cost, as feelings of loneliness, isolation, and missing loved ones have impacted our most vulnerable population’s mental well-being. As it currently stands, compassionate visits may be conducted under limited circumstances, and visits may occur outdoors, but not every person can go outdoors for a visit.  To increase emotional support for residents in senior living facilities, the Governor announced the release of draft guidance that will allow for indoor visitation under limited circumstances. The proposed guidance was posted today, and will be finalized next week. CDPHE is accepting public comments through Friday. The draft guidance maintains that indoor visits be conducted under very strict conditions. This is a fine balance between protecting our older adults and providing them with opportunities to reconnect with loved ones. With careful, preventive measures in place, we can continue to expand visitation opportunities to ensure that all Coloradans get the support they need and deserve. Our state’s recovery efforts during this unprecedented crisis must be inclusive. This means supporting our businesses so they can access capital and thrive, caring for our older residents who are experiencing loneliness and isolation, and making sure Coloradans have a home in which to stay safe. We are all in this together, and we are not going to leave anyone behind. The Energize Colorado Gap Fund, Special Eviction Prevention Task Force, and the new guidelines for visiting senior living facilities all represent the administration's deep commitment to that guiding principle. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Visit Website Office of Governor Jared Polis | 136 State Capitol , Denver, CO 80203 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by [email protected]