EVENTS STATE JOBS HOW TO HELP COVID-19 VISIT LOCAL HOLIDAY MARKETS ACROSS COLORADO! A great way to support local businesses is by purchasing their one-of-a-kind gifts and exploring Colorado’s holiday markets. All the delights of the winter season can be experienced at Colorado’s specialty markets, where Santa makes regular appearances, handcrafted gifts overshadow items bought at the mall and sweet treats abound. Denver Christkindl Market Ends December 24, 2021 Rockin' Around McGregor Square 2nd Floor of the Rally Hotel December 17-19, 2021 Golden Holiday Market Ends December 29, 2021 EXPLORE HOLIDAY MARKETS COLORADO TOURISM OFFICE WINTER GIFT GUIDE The Colorado Tourism Office has developed a Colorado Winter Gift Guide to inspire you whether you want to gift a piece of Colorado or keep it for yourself. This guide ranges from experiences and gifts for creatives to local libations and adventure seekers. Read the Shop Local campaign’s latest blog post to find gifts that also give back this holiday season. VIEW GIFT GUIDE BRING COLORADO PROUD FOOD TO THE TABLE Finding gifts unique to our great state with the Colorado Proud holiday gift guide is easy, but don't stop there, check out coloradoproud.com to stay connected to food, agriculture, and beverage curators. To find that perfect holiday tree, don't forget to check out the Colorado Proud holiday tree guide. Take some time to check out the Colorado Agri-tourism page for even more ideas. Follow Colorado Proud on Facebook and Instagram for fun food to try, places to visit with friends and family, and other exciting events. COLORADO PROUD DOWNLOAD THE COLORADO DIGITAL ID  Download the My Colorado ID App today! The mycolorado ID app provides secure and convenient access to state services. The app's contactless Colorado Digital ID™ is a secure electronic version of your driver license or state identification (ID) card for proof of identification, age and address within the state. Within the digital Wallet, you can also store your COVID-19 vaccination record, fishing license, vehicle registrations and proof of auto insurance all in one place! LEARN MORE COVID-19 BUSINESS AND NONPROFIT RESOURCES OEDIT partnered with the legislature to pass 12 bills that appropriated $228 million in funding to support economic recovery efforts. As we finalize program details, we will be updating this page with links and information about each program. The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment developed the Colorado COVID-19 website that houses all of their communications and the latest information regarding Colorado's response. ECONOMIC RECOVERY PROGRAMS CLIMBER Loan Fund Applications are open. The Colorado Loans for Increasing Mainstreet Business and Economic Recovery (CLIMBER) fund provides $250 million to small businesses with working capital loans between $30,000 and $500,000. Below-market interest rates and a 1-year deferred payment option make the program a secure recovery option for small businesses. Colorado Revolving Loan Fund Applications are open. This fund provides loans that help small to medium-sized Colorado businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These loans range from $5,000 to $750,000. The loans are intended to provide startup and working capital that will help create and retain jobs across Colorado. Business Foundations Technical Assistance Program Applications are open. This program provides $900,000 to support technical assistance for small businesses with 5 or fewer employees. Meeting and Events Incentive Cash Rebate Applications are open. This program provides $10 million for a 10% cash rebate against eligible hard costs for hosting meetings and events in Colorado that take place on or after July 1, 2021 and on or before December 31, 2022. Colorado Community Revitalization Grant Applications are open. This program provides $65 million in gap funding for mixed-use projects in creative districts, historic districts, main streets or neighborhood commercial centers. Colorado Creative Corps ARP Grant Applications are due January 13. This grant provides funding up to $25,000 to individual artists for specific, definable projects that connect artists and organizations to local initiatives. Rural Jump-Start Zone Grant Applications are open. Businesses that establish new operations in specified Rural Jump-Start and Just Transition communities will be eligible to receive up to $40,000 and up to $5,000 per new hire. 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. Community Engagement Coordinator - Full Time Governor’s Office Internships - Part Time Digital Marketing Manager - Full Time Governor Appointed Environmental Justice Ombudsperson - Full Time Senior Accountant - Full Time Emergency Funds Manager - Full Time Senior Global Business Development Manager - Full Time Senior Human Resources Generalist - Full Time Senior Salesforce Administrator - Full Time Special Advisor on Education and Early Childhood - 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: Air Quality Control Commission Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority Colorado Human Trafficking Council Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission Historic Preservation Review Board Judicial Nominating Commissions  For questions regarding the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions please contact [email protected]. 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 $750,000 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. Open Enrollment for health insurance is now through January 15, 2022, and TODAY is the last day to enroll to gain coverage by January 1, 2022. Connect for Health Colorado is the official health insurance marketplace and the only place where Coloradans who don’t qualify for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and don’t get health insurance from their job can apply for financial help and sign up for a private health insurance plan. Thanks to a new law, there are more savings available than ever before to cover health insurance costs. For the first time ever, Colorado individuals and families who were previously ineligible because of their income can qualify for financial help. 4 out of 5 customers can qualify for plans for $25 per month or less! This financial help is ONLY available through Connect for Health Colorado. Need enrollment assistance? Connect for Health Colorado offers free help all around the state. Certified experts are here to help you in-person or by phone, and many also offer virtual Assistance. Visit ConnectforHealthCO.com or call 855-752-6749. ENROLL TODAY 4 MILLION COLORADANS VACCINATED AND COUNTING: POLIS ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES MISSION TO VACCINATE COLORADANS, MARKS ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF ARRIVAL OF MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH COVID-19 VACCINE December 14, marked one year since the first shipments of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Colorado, and Colorado’s public health agencies and the COVID-19 Joint Vaccine Task Force planned and began the largest vaccine logistical response in state history. The vaccine is providing the health and safety we need and the arrival of vaccines one year ago marked a major milestone in the fight against the pandemic. The vaccine is a medical breakthrough and the Polis administration is carrying out plans to ensure every community has access to it so we can return to normal. “One year ago we gained access to doctor approved, safe, and effective vaccine that is helping combat the pandemic. Our administration and public health agencies have administered over 9 million vaccines across our state, delivering much needed protection and relief to Coloradans and in hard-to-reach communities. Colorado’s mission to get the vaccine into our communities has kept our businesses and schools open and our economy on the path to recovery while other states fell behind,” said Governor Polis. “The virus and deadly Delta variant continues to infect the unvaccinated but we have the tool to protect ourselves in the life saving vaccine and now the booster. The vaccine is the marvel of science we can all use to get back to the Colorado we love and deserve. The science on the vaccine is settled and it’s saving lives, and I encourage everyone to be responsible and get theirs so we can return to normal.” “Vaccines are a scientific miracle and changed the pandemic,” said Scott Bookman, COVID-19 incident commander, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). “The vaccine has saved countless lives, particularly among our most at risk and has allowed us to return to a more normal way of life. Students are learning in-person, businesses are open, and our economy is rebounding. We still have work to do, and thanks to Colorado’s healthcare providers, support staff, and first responders, the state has achieved some real milestones. It’s incredible that in just 365 days we’ve been able to vaccinate more than four million Coloradans.” The administration is making significant progress on its plan to help vaccinate Coloradans over the last 12 months includes: 76.2% of Coloradans age 5 and older vaccinated with one dose of COVID-19 vaccine (4,142,280 people). 68.8% of Coloradans age 5 and older now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (3,739,632 people). 25.9% of children age 5-11 in Colorado vaccinated with one dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (119,738 people). 64% of children age 12-17 in Colorado vaccinated with one dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (284,659 people). 1.2 million eligible Coloradans have received a booster dose (43.5% of those fully vaccinated). In the last year, Colorado has marked important milestones: On Dec. 14, 2020 the first shipments of COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Colorado. On March 2, 2021, Colorado announced hitting 70% of of Coloradans aged 70 and up by the end of February. On April 1, 2021, Colorado celebrated more than a million Coloradans being fully vaccinated. On July 3, 2021, Colorado announced 70% of Coloradans (3.2 million people) were at least partially vaccinated, ahead of President Joe Biden’s July 4 deadline, leading the West. On Sept. 10, 2021, Colorado celebrated 75% of Coloradans age 12 and older having received at least one dose of the life-saving COVID-19 vaccine. On Nov. 29, 2021, Colorado announced 20.6% of Colorado 5 - 11 year-olds had received at least one dose of COVID-19. We are now at over 25% of 5-11 year old Coloradans, ranking 10th among states. To achieve these milestones Colorado has: Enrolled 1,344 vaccine providers in the Colorado COVID-19 Vaccination Program. Launched and continues to run convenient, large community vaccination and booster sites. Conducted more than 2,150 mobile vaccine bus stops. Managed more than 1,700 clinics serving communities of color, low-income and rural communities. Held thousands of clinics at primary care offices, schools, community health centers, pharmacies, hospitals, community-based organizations, museums and other events. Processed 15,874 orders from Colorado COVID-19 vaccine providers for more than 7.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Redistributed more than 1.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the CDPHE State Lab to more than 4,000 locations to ensure equitable access to vaccines. Sent more than 3.9 million text messages and emails to Coloradans coming due or overdue for COVID-19 vaccines. Worked with more than 50 museums, zoos, libraries, recreation centers, professional sports teams, and special events to host clinics for kids age 5 and up and their families. Enrolled and supported more than 400 primary care providers as COVID vaccine providers through the Primary Care Vaccination Program. Of the primary care providers reached through this program, 30% are from outside the Front Range, 48.6% are Medicaid providers, 82.6% serve families and children, and 30% are completely new to the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS). Vaccines are the safest, most effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, and to help avoid the worst outcomes (severe illness, hospitalization, and death) among those who do become infected. State health officials stress that all Coloradans ages 5 and up should get vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, and everyone ages 18 and up should get a booster dose six months after their final dose of Moderna or Pfizer, or two months after a dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Coloradans age 16 and 17 should get a Pfizer booster dose six months after their final dose. All Coloradans (ages 6 months+) should also get vaccinated with the flu vaccine to protect the health care system. Find a place to get a vaccine or booster dose at covid19.colorado.gov/vaccinefinder. As we continue through this holiday season, CDPHE also reminds all Coloradans to follow basic public health guidance — stay home if sick, wash hands frequently, get tested if you are feeling ill or were exposed to someone with COVID-19, and wear a mask in public indoor spaces. Below you can find our most up-to-date information surrounding Tests, Vaccinations, Boosters, and Numbers. COVID BY THE NUMBERS TOTAL CASES 861,940 TOTAL HOSPITALIZATIONS 49,085 TOTAL PEOPLE TESTED 4,204,162 PPEOPLE IMMUNIZED WITH ONE DOSE 4,153,102 PEOPLE FULLY IMMUNIZED 3,752,937 ELIGIBLE PEOPLE WITH ADDITIONAL DOSES 1,305,591 COVID DATA VACCINE DATA Data as of 12/14/2021 11:59:00 VACCINE FINDER Find a vaccination site near you. 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 MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENTS Monoclonal antibody treatment has shown to be highly effective for Coloradans who have recently tested positive for COVID-19, preventing severe symptoms and hospitalizations. Coloradans who think they qualify for this treatment can call 1-877-268-2926 or visit covid19.colorado.gov/for-coloradans/covid-19-treatments for more information. COVID-19 TREATMENTS COVID-19 BOOSTER ELIGIBLITIY All 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. BOOSTER INFORMATION PROTECTION AGAINST THE FLU 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 WHAT WE'RE WATCHING Amazon Prime Video - The Last Duel Paramount+ - Yellowstone WHAT WE'RE READING The Gene: An Intimate History Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO Jubilee by Japanese Breakfast Story Time with Seth Rogen 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]