September 2020 ECONOMIC RESILIENCY Today, Governor Polis provided an update on Colorado’s COVID-19 response from Pueblo during the first stop on an ongoing regional tour, which aims to showcase economic fortitude and resilience in areas across Colorado. It was the first time the Governor was able to provide a COVID briefing outside of Denver, and the administration is grateful for the support of the City of Pueblo and Pueblo Community College for making this remote event possible. The Governor acknowledged that one of the great privileges of leading a state is traveling across it and visiting with the wonderful people who call this place home. Southern Colorado is a vibrant piece of our beautiful state’s fabric, as well as home to the best green chile in the world! This pandemic has understandably placed restrictions on travel, but as those restrictions ease, the Governor looks forward to making more visits to southern Colorado and other regions across the state to hear first-hand about recovery efforts, and strategize ways in which the administration can continue to support those efforts. MOBILE LEARNING LABS While visiting Pueblo Community College’s campus, the Governor, OEDIT Executive Director Betsy Markey, Public Corporate College Executive Director Amanda Corum, and Colorado Community College System Chancellor Joe Garcia, participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the college's Mobile Learning Labs. The Mobile Learning Labs program will facilitate workforce training in mobile trailers that are customized to serve as classrooms for a wide range of technical skills -- from electrical systems and mechanical systems, to power transmission and welding. The Mobile Learning Labs are a great example of leveraging new technologies to help our state attract businesses from across the world, while ensuring workers have the skills to succeed in a changing economic landscape. COVID-19 TESTING SITE VISITS Joined by Colorado Springs State Reps. Tony Exum and Marc Snyder, and State Senator Pete Lee, the Governor visited the drive-through COVID-19 testing site at the Citadel Mall in Colorado Springs. The Governor also visited the testing site at the State Fairgrounds in Pueblo. Testing at these sites -- two of the largest in the region -- is free, quick, and easy, and expansion of testing capacity is a big reason why the state has been able to get our caseload under control. Both El Paso and Pueblo Counties have a slightly higher positivity rate than the state average, but that is primarily due to a testing shortfall, as positivity rates typically decrease with an increase in the number of tests analyzed. Over the next few weeks, we are expecting a greater capability for quick tests at community colleges and other public spaces in the region. Across our five largest testing sites in Colorado -- these two in southern Colorado, as well as in Grand Junction, Aurora, and Adams County, we have tested more than 13,000 individuals since August 10, with the ability to test more than 500 people per day at each location. This is all thanks to the hard work of our local officials, local public health agencies, and Mako labs, our clinical lab partner. So if you are worried that you have been exposed to COVID-19, please get a test. For more information about testing, please visit covid19.colorado.gov/testing. SCHOOL VISIT During his trip, the Governor also visited Patriot Elementary School in Fountain Fort Carson. As the Governor announced earlier this summer, the state is providing every school district with medical-grade KN95 masks for staff who work directly with students. This is part of a statewide effort to provide schools with the resources they need to reopen safely. In just the last four weeks, the state has supplied 20,000 KN95 face masks to school districts in Pueblo, and 17,150 to districts in El Paso County. COVID RELIEF FUND RECIPIENTS We cannot overlook the important role that generous individuals and businesses are playing in helping our state recover. Southern Colorado is a prime example of how that generosity is translating into on-the-ground services. Partners from various sectors of our state have stepped up in meaningful ways over the past six months to do their part -- from professional sports teams like our Denver Broncos, to philanthropic partners like the Colorado Health Foundation and Wells Fargo. To date, Colorado’s COVID Relief fund has distributed just over $22 million in nearly every county in our state. In Pueblo and El Paso counties, nearly $1 million has been distributed to more than 40 organizations, who are making their communities safer and more resilient through philanthropic impact, recovery, and prevention efforts. And the state is on track to announce another round of funding later this week. The Governor visited two organizations today that have been supported by these dollars: YWCA Pueblo and the East Side Child Care Center. The YWCA is doing critical work in Pueblo, providing essential services like food, shelter, and clothing to victims of domestic violence and their children, at a time when levels of abuse and domestic violence have tragically increased -- and incidents are underreported. YWCA staff shared both heartbreaking and uplifting stories about the cases they are managing and the difference they are making for thousands of Pueblo residents in need. The East Side Child Care Center is the only licensed, quality-rated large childcare center in East Pueblo. The center serves some of the most vulnerable kids in this area, with 80% of children receiving services living below the poverty line, and more than half living in single parent homes. Like many community-based organizations operating during the pandemic, the East Side Child Care Center has experienced a surge in need while donations and revenue have fallen. COVID relief funds have allowed this incredible organization to remain open, providing developmental childcare and early childhood education programs to kids in a safe and socially-distanced environment. ADAPTIVE BUSINESSES Colorado businesses are harnessing technology and ingenuity to adapt to the new normal. The Governor saw this “can-do” attitude and resilience on full display during a visit to ActivArmor, a Pueblo-based biomedical startup. Before the pandemic, ActivArmor provided hygienic, waterproof alternatives to traditional casting and splinting. In response to the current public health crisis, the startup has completely reconstituted their business model in order to provide desperately-needed N95 masks as well as custom-fitted, reusable respirators. Because these masks are custom-fitted, they provide a stronger, more reliable seal against airborne particulates. The masks are also washable and transparent, which improves communication between health care providers and patients -- especially for patients suffering from hearing loss. ActivArmor has received two Office of Economic Development and International Trade Advanced Industries grants for meeting critical market needs. We are proud to support and uplift businesses like ActivArmor that are using their resources to help communities across the state. RESILIENT TOURISM Visiting Pueblo and not experiencing their homegrown, world-famous chiles, would be a missed opportunity. Pueblo chile season is in full swing and the Governor was honored to witness up-close the way our chiles are processed, packaged, and shipped around the world at Crites Produce today with State Reps. Bri Buentello and Daneya Esgar. Pueblo chiles are the best in the world. Chile-growing is integral to the agricultural economy of Colorado, in addition to being a key component of the state’s culture, heritage, and history. And despite challenging circumstances, Pueblo chile producers are persevering through it all, doing their best to keep up with the demands of one of our most popular staples. To close out the day, the Governor visited the State Fairgrounds and Livestock Auction. While nearly 25 other states have had to cancel their fairs, Colorado has been able to keep ours, thanks to the herculean efforts of the State Fair staff and thousands of Colorado residents doing their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Through creative online programming, like the Day Camp for Kids, and modified events like the Drive-Thru Food Fair, the State Fair has adapted their operations to prioritize safety, while maintaining iconic traditions. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 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]