Have a safe and joyous holiday season, Colorado! - Governor Polis

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.

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.

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!

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.

• Deputy Press Secretary - Full Time
• Community Engagement Coordinator - Full Time
• Business Support Program Manager - Full Time
• Digital Marketing Manager - Full Time
• Governor Appointed Environmental Justice Ombudsperson - Full Time
• Procurement Technician and Commercial Card Admin - Full Time
• Senior Accountant - Full Time 
• Senior Human Resources Generalist - Full Time
• Senior Salesforce Administrator - Full Time

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 boards@state.co.us.

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 $1,000,000 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.

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, 2021. 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.

On Tuesday, Governor Jared Polis provided an update on the state of the COVID pandemic in Colorado and urged Coloradans to get vaccinated and the third dose of the safe and effective vaccine.  

The Governor began the briefing by discussing how Colorado’s reporters continue to deliver the facts to those who need it and accurate information to make informed decisions about their health and safety during this pandemic -- from the time Colorado reported its first case to crossing the milestone of administering four million doses of the lifesaving vaccine. 

The Governor also discussed the importance of getting a third dose of the vaccine in light of reports that the omicron variant has spread in the U.S.

“The simple fact is that over a thousand people are in our hospitals right now and 860 of them have not yet made the choice to get vaccinated. The omicron variant is rapidly rising -- it’s critical that everyone eligible gets three doses of the vaccine,” said Gov. Polis. “With three doses of the safe, and doctor-approved vaccine, you, your loved ones, and community members are 47 times less likely to be hospitalized with COVID. That’s why our administration offers more sites in more places available to Coloradans getting the vaccine and those who need to get tested. Bring joy to your celebrations, bring food, bring gifts, but don’t bring COVID-19.” 

48% of eligible Coloradans have received their third dose of the vaccine, which provides significant protection against omicron and other variants. Many vaccinations require three doses, like the DTaP vaccine to protect kids against tetanus. Coloradans can get their third dose of the vaccine today at community vaccination sites around the state, and the state is continually adding new sites and expanding capacity.

Earlier on Tuesday, President Joe Biden announced that the federal government will launch an at-home testing program to provide millions of Americans with free COVID-19 tests. Colorado launched an at-home rapid testing program earlier this year for anyone to sign up online and get BinaxNow rapid at-home test kits delivered to their homes. To date, over 1.3 million tests have been distributed to households across the state and the state’s program is reliant on available global supply. 

“Earlier this year, our administration launched a free, quick and easy at-home-testing program so Coloradans could have safety, peace of mind, and save money by testing in the comfort of their own homes. We have sent out over 1.3 million free tests to people across our state, and also offer a wide variety of other free testing options at various locations to slow the spread of the virus,” said Governor Polis. “We applaud President Biden and his administration for following our state’s lead to deliver free, at-home testing for all Americans. We look forward to helping with efforts that result in safer, healthier communities in the new year.”

To meet the demand for detection and protection, the Governor announced vaccination sites that have the capacity to administer hundreds of doses every day, as well as new sites coming online soon where people can get tested and vaccinated at the same location. Sites can be found below:

Below you can find our most up-to-date information surrounding Tests, Vaccinations, Boosters, and Numbers.

COVID BY THE NUMBERS

Data as of 12/22/2021 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 150 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.

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 THIRD DOSE 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.

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.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

Disney+ - Hawkeye

WHAT WE'RE READING

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management For Mortals

Call Us What We Carry: Poems

WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO

Five Four - Podcast

Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend - Podcast