Leaf through Fall happenings; updates from Colorado's Lt. Governor. EVENTS STATE JOBS HOW TO HELP COVID-19 DEPARTMENT OF AG FALL FARMERS' MARKETS LIST IS OUT! The Fall Farmers' Markets List by our Colorado Department of Agriculture is out! This list includes farmers' markets from over 10 counties. COLORADO FALL AND WINTER FARMERS' MARKETS PUMPKIN PATCH SEASON Fall in Colorado is here and that means it’s time to pick some pumpkins! There are many places in Colorado to pick up a pumpkin. Visit some of the awesome farms like Anderson Farms hosting pumpkin patches and bookmark CDA's master list below to grow support for local Colorado-grown farms. CDA'S CORN MAZE & PUMPKIN PATCH LIST OCTOBER & NOVEMBER HAPPENINGS IN COLORADO Denver Ghost Tours of Capitol Hill October 19 - 31, 2021  Fright Acres October 20 - 31, 2021 Haunted Field of Screams October 20 - 31, 2021 Granby Scarecrow Festival October 20 - 29, 2021 Special Olympics Colorado Harvest Fest October 28, 2021 Movie Nights at Marjorie Park October 28 - 29, 2021 FanExpo Denver October 29 - 31, 2021 Día de los Muertos Altars October 23 - November 13, 2021 Spookadelia 4: New Immersive Art Experience October 14 - November 28, 2021 SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT EVENTS & PROGRAMS The Office of Economic Development and International Trade offers help to existing and new businesses, including free confidential consulting and no or low-cost training programs available in English and Spanish. Read below for October and November programming: Cybersecurity Summit for Small Businesses October 28 | 9 am to 4 pm -This summit is meant to educate and support your business and questions. Leave with takeaways to immediately implement in your business. You will also have the opportunity to hear from recognized keynote speakers, access to cybersecurity consultants for free one-on-one consulting, and a host of small business resources and exhibitors. 2021 Small Business, Big Connections October 28 | 4 pm to 6 pm - Join Colorado SBDC and Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce to make connections and hear first-hand from entrepreneurs who have found success. Introduction to SBDC November 8 | 10 am to 11 am - Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center is hosting an introduction to SBDC consulting, programs, workshops, events, and resources. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to learn more about all the things SBDC has to offer Colorado small businesses! WORK FOR THE STATE Join us at the State of Colorado! Find meaningful work serving the people of Colorado, and help create a state where all are proud to live, work, and play. You can find many more available jobs by clicking the button below. Governor’s Office Digital Director - Full Time Special Advisor on Early Childhood - Full Time Economic Development Policy Advisor - Full Time Deputy Human Resources Director - Full Time Recovery Officer - Full Time Senior Economist and Budget Analyst - Full Time Economist and Budget Analyst - Full Time Budget Analyst - Full Time Colorado Tourism Marketing Manager - Programs and Promotions - Full Time Director, Enterprise Architecture - Full Time ISD Director, Strategy - Full Time Business Innovation, Technology, and Security Director - Full Time Behavioral Services Site Director - Full Time Small Business Development Center Program Coordinator - Full Time STATE OF COLORADO JOBS OPEN BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS There are over 300 boards and commissions to which the Governor makes appointments. Boards and commissions are a critically important way for Coloradans to engage in their state government, help improve their communities and create a Colorado for All. Visit our website to learn more about each board and fill out an application! Openings: Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council Civil Rights Commission Judicial Performance Commissions Environmental Justice Advisory Board For questions regarding the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions please contact [email protected] SERVE COLORADO TUTORING CORPS Serve Colorado, the Governor's Commission on Community Service, is recruiting over 200 individuals to serve as AmeriCorps members at locations around the state. Members will serve K-12 students in Colorado’s expanded tutoring corps and other education initiatives helping address COVID-19 learning impacts and close persistent, historic opportunity gaps in communities of color, American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and students living in poverty. Individuals are needed to tutor in reading and math, mentor high school students, and provide classroom support. AmeriCorps members receive: A living allowance, Student loan deferment, An education award to use for future education or to repay past student loans, and Health insurance and childcare benefits (for members serving full time). Learn more about how to get involved at the link below. SERVE COLORADO COLORADO AFGHAN EVACUEE SUPPORT FUND Colorado is committed to helping Afghan evacuees make Colorado home. We recognize their work and sacrifice as partners to the federal government and to our U.S. military and veteran communities. That’s why in partnership with fiscal sponsor Rose Community Foundation and the Governor’s Office, The Colorado Afghan Evacuee Support Fund was created to welcome Afghan evacuees and connect them with community resources. Contributions will fund grants to organizations in Colorado that provide refugee resettlement services, health and mental health services for newcomers, legal services to help evacuees navigate available pathways for permanency in the U.S., and other forms of needed assistance. This fund represents a holistic view of needs that newcomers will have over the long term and commits resources to areas where other funding mechanisms fall short. To date, the Fund has raised $700,000 and is striving to reach a goal of $5.6 million. To help support the fund, visit the link below. You can be assured that your funds go to a vital service currently neglected by other efforts, making your dollars all the more impactful. DONATE: bit.ly/COAfghanSupport To learn more about Afghan evacuees, visit the Department of Human Services' Colorado Refugee Services Program website. The state’s top priority remains to get vaccines to the unvaccinated to provide the strongest protection against COVID-19 and the flu in the fall and winter months. Last week, we received another effective tool in the fight against this virus when the FDA fully approved booster shots of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for anyone 18 and older, as well as a booster of the Moderna vaccine (half-dose of the original shot) for both people 65 and older and everyone 18 and older who works around others at their job. To date, more than 10.7% of Coloradans have received their booster dose. Now, the 72% of Coloradans who are fully vaccinated, or were among vulnerable populations or groups of people in high-risk categories during the early days of the rollout, can get a much-needed boost in their immunity. 78.3% who have received their first dose are encouraged to get their second on time. And Coloradans who are not yet vaccinated are encouraged to take advantage of more opportunities than ever before to get protected now and lead a more normal life going forward. On Tuesday, the FDA expert advisory panel recommended approving Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for use in children 5-11 years old. This is a group that has seen some of the highest numbers of infections in our state recently. Extending eligibility will mean students, educators, and their families can more safely interact in classrooms and out in communities. The Governor’s Office with CDPHE has been laser-focused on partnering with schools and community organizations to ensure we are ready to administer these vaccines the moment they are fully approved. The more Coloradans who get vaccinated, the less likely we are to see more cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. We all have an important role to play in ending this pandemic, and it’s going to take all of us working together. Below you can find our most up-to-date information surrounding Tests, Vaccinations, Boosters, and Numbers. VACCINE FINDER Find a vaccination site near you and find out if you're eligible for an additional COVID-19 vaccine or booster dose. COVID BY THE NUMBERS TOTAL CASES 733,343 TOTAL HOSPITALIZATIONS 42,088 TOTAL PEOPLE TESTED 3,883,061 PPEOPLE IMMUNIZED WITH ONE DOSE 3,863,690 PEOPLE FULLY IMMUNIZED 3,556,225 ELIGIBLE PEOPLE WITH ADDITIONAL DOSES 370,193 Data as of 11:59:59 PM 10/27/2021 COVID DATA VACCINE DATA NEED A FREE AND FAST COVID TEST? It’s easy to get a free, fast, and safe COVID-19 test with more than 100 free community testing sites across Colorado. If you're experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, make an appointment today -- neither insurance nor ID is required to get tested. FREE TESTING SITES COVID-19 BOOSTER ELIGIBLITIY Coloradans are eligible for booster doses if they have received both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine and it has been more than 6 months since their second dose. Or if they have received the Johnson and Johnson single dose vaccine more than two months prior. Find out who is eligible at the link below BOOSTER ELIGIBILITY PROTECTION AGAINST THE FLU Just like the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, the yearly flu shot is a great way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your neighbors. Last week, Lieutenant Governor Primavera joined Governor Polis and other state leaders to get their flu vaccine shots. "I hope that all Coloradans will find the clinic nearest to them and get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu as soon as possible. We are so much stronger when we work together - you can do your part by getting a safe and effective vaccine.” Getting your flu shot is also critical to building resistance against viruses and building up resilience in our economy. It's quick, easy, and free to do your part -- flu vaccines can be found in the majority of major grocery chains, pharmacies, community health clinics, and primary care practices. Find sites offering flu vaccines in your community at the link below. FLU SHOT FINDER We are focused on building a stronger Colorado by protecting our communities and investing in real change. That means helping our workforce move forward and supporting our small businesses across the state who are working to recover while investing in the competitive advantage we have in Colorado with our natural beauty and quality of life that attracts business and top talent to the state. During the historic 2021 legislative session, we partnered with Colorado legislators to make significant investments in our economy that will give Coloradans the freedom and opportunity to thrive now and for generations to come. This includes investments in our small businesses, support for our main streets across the state, broadband expansion, job growth, and so much more. Now, as we work to implement landmark legislation and bolster growth, we’re also looking to opportunities on the horizon that will help our state realize its potential. Denver is in the running to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This week, Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera joined Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock and former U.S. star goalkeeper Tim Howard to showcase why the Mile High City is the best place to host the games. DMV MEETING COLORADANS WHERE THEY ARE Under the Polis-Primavera administration, the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has made accessibility of services to anyone, anywhere, anytime they are needed a top priority to save Coloradans time, their sanity, and even save them a trip to the DMV entirely by driving digital innovation forward. Recent updates include: Coloradans will no longer have to show physical proof of Social Security numbers. Flexible scheduling using the online platform -- you can wait from anywhere when checking in for an appointment. New ability to renew a driver's license ID card for people 65 and older, and being able to upgrade an instruction permit to a driver's license online. Expanded services on the almost 50 DMV Motor Vehicle Express Kiosks throughout the state by adding the following online services: Upload and pay a traffic citation or ticket Obtain their vehicle record online Request a hearing DMV services are available on a variety of platforms including myDMV.Colorado.gov; the myColorado™ app, available on Android and iOS devices; and MV Express Kiosks, conveniently located throughout Colorado as well as over 35 driver license offices throughout the Centennial State. WHAT WE'RE WATCHING HBO - Insecure: Final Season AMAZON - Modern Love: Season 2 NETFLIX - My Octopus Teacher WHAT WE'RE READING The New Wilderness, Diane Cook On Intersectionality, Kimberlé Crenshaw Colorado Energy Office's Newly Released Low-Carbon Hydrogen Roadmap WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO Spooked: Season 6 How to Save a Planet InOn Health Equity with KP Yelpaala Have a safe and happy Halloween, Colorado! Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email State of Colorado - Governor's Office | 136 State Capitol , Denver, CO 80203 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | About Constant Contact Sent by [email protected]