COVID Updates Governor Polis March 20, 2020

From Governor Polis’ community engagement team! We know that sharing information is key, especially during a crisis. In an effort to continue to provide you with an official update from the Governor’s office, below includes the latest steps we are taking to respond to the Coronavirus threat.

New Executive Orders to Protect Public Health


Over the last 48 hours, Governor Polis has taken more executive action to slow the spread of coronavirus and protect vulnerable populations:

  • A public health order limiting gatherings to 10 people or less

  • Temporary closure of nail salons, hair salons, spas, tattoo and massage parlors, horse racing and off track betting facilities until April 30th

  • Allowing restaurants and bars that are maintaining delivery and takeout service to make alcohol sales alongside food sales to help with revenu

  • Temporarily suspending elective surgeries and procedures through April 14th to preserve important medical equipment, like personal protective equipment and ventilators, needed to combat COVID-19.

  • Allowing workers who have lost their jobs and their health coverage, as well as those uninsured, to sign up for health coverage on the state's exchange starting today through Friday April 3rd. Please visit the Connect for Health Colorado website for more information or dial 855-752-6749 to enroll or speak to an expert about your eligibility.

Update on #DoYourPartCO, COVID-19 Relief Fund, Help Colorado Now

In the last week, Gov. Polis has:

  • Launched our viral #DoYourPartCO campaign,

  • Announced the COVID-19 Relief Fund and

  • Stood up our volunteer effort Help Colorado Now.

We’ve already raised about $3.8 million to date, which includes $318,000 raised online from almost 2,000 individual donors.

On the volunteer side, we have already secured commitments from 4,342 volunteers.

Please visit HelpColoradoNow.org to get involved!

Economic Stabilization, Recovery, and Growth Agenda

We know that the past two weeks have been tough, and there are more tough times ahead. But this week has been particularly difficult with many businesses closing their doors, leaving many without a job. The Polis administration is doing everything we can to support Coloradans in the short term while  ensuring that we can stabilize, recover and grow our economy.

Here are a few recent actions / accomplishments to help our boost economy:

  • Colorado has qualified for the federal Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. This means that small businesses, private non-profit organizations, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises in all 64 counties that have been impacted by COVID-19 can seek individual low-interest small business loans up to $2 million to pay key needs such as fixed debts, payroll, and accounts payable. Eligibility information, loan application links and emerging economic recovery resources can all be found at choosecolorado.com.

  • Governor Polis has extended the state tax filing deadline for 90 days for both individuals and businesses.

  • The Polis administration is working on executive actions to:

    • Expedite unemployment insurance claim payments so families get relief now,

    • Recommend financial institutions provide temporary relief from debts including mortgages, credit card payments, student debt, and others,

    • Recommend landlords and property owners provide temporary relief to tenants and renters impacted by COVID-19,

    • Recommend that all public utilities suspend service disconnections for delayed or missed payments from residential and small business consumers related to the impacts of COVID-19.

  • Governor Polis established the Governor’s Emergency Council on Economic Stabilization and Growth, chaired by former Denver Mayor and U.S. Transportation Secretary Federico Peña.

Letter to Federal Delegation

Action at the state level is important, but we need as much help as we can get from the federal government at this time and there are certain steps that only the federal government can take. Governor Polis sent a letter to Colorado’s federal delegation asking them to take a number of steps to bolster our economy:

  1. Increase the Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) -- the funding match rate provided to state Medicaid agencies by the federal government;

  2. Deliver cash payments of at least $2,000 per person, with additional relief measures for workers in small business retail, food and beverage service;

  3. Increase child care funding and SNAP benefits, and suspend the Trump administration’s executive order that would rip SNAP benefits away from thousands of hungry Coloradans;

  4. Tax relief, cash payments, and additional loan assistance for Colorado’s small businesses;

  5. Minimize delays in U.S. Labor Department processing of Unemployment Insurance claims;

  6. Relief from debt collection and a suspension of interest for student loans, credit card and consumer debt as well as a suspension of late fees both individuals and businesses.

Best Practices

The best thing you can do right now is encourage your family and friends to stay home. This will help reduce the spread. Also, practice good hygiene and social distancing in order to keep yourself and others safe -- especially vulnerable populations like older Coloradans and those with underlying health conditions:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

  • Practice social distancing from others -- at least six feet apart.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

  • Stay home when you are sick and keep your children home if they are sick.

  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

    • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. 

  • If someone at your home is sick, avoid sharing dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home. After using these items, wash them thoroughly with soap and water.

  • Choose a  separate room in your home that can be used to separate sick household members from those who are healthy.  Identify a separate bathroom for the sick person to use, if possible. Plan to clean these rooms as needed when someone is sick. All of these ways of preventing the spread of CO-VID 19 are also effective in preventing the transmission of the flu or seasonal colds. Smart hygiene practices make us all healthier. 

Thank you for spreading the word to your organizations and networks. 

Coloradans are counting on leaders throughout our state to step up and do our part to help us weather both the public health emergency and the economic repercussions.

These times are difficult, but they will be temporary. And we thank you for your patience, your participation, and your faith. as we navigate these uncharted waters.