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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Tag: Watkins

  • Creative Industries COVID-19 Funding & Resources

    Dear Colorado Arts & Culture Community,

    In Colorado and around the world, artists and arts and culture organizations have been hit hard by COVID-19, losing revenues due to canceled events and loss of sales, and facing reduced contributions indefinitely. We are updating our Resources to Support the Arts during COVID-19 in real time. This page is a collaborative effort among Colorado cultural leaders to provide a central hub of resources to support artists & creative business and arts & culture organizations.

    If you have additional resources to include for consideration, please submit them to this form.

     

    Four SBA Programs to Know

    Payment Protection Program

    Provides loan forgiveness for retaining employees by temporarily expanding the traditional SBA 7(a) loan program.

     

    EIDL Loan Advance

    Provides up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties.

     

    SBA Bridge Express Loans

    Enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.

     

    SBA Debt Relief

    Provides a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

     

    COVID-19 Funding Opportunities

    CO CARES Grant

    Colorado Creative Industries, on behalf of the National Endowment for the Arts, will award the CO CARES Act to nonprofit arts organizations in Colorado to help these entities and their employees endure the economic hardships caused by the forced closure of their operations due to the spread of COVID-19. Grants will be made to organizations with an operating budget of $25,000 – $250,000 to support salaries or facilities costs.

    PLEASE NOTE: We are now allowing organizations to apply for funding if they have applied for the NEA direct CARES Act Grant. However, if awarded CCI funds, they will be held until notifications from the NEA awards have been released. If an organization is awarded NEA funding, their CCI awarded funding will be reallocated. 

    APPLY FOR CO CARES GRANT

     

    COVID-19 CO Creatives Relief Grant

    In response to the COVID-19 crisis, we have launched the COVID-19 CO Creatives Relief Grant. The grant is a one-time payment for general operating support to nonprofit arts organizations in Colorado with an annual operating budget of less than $1 million. Priority will be given to small and mid-size organizations, particularly those working in under-served communities. Applications have been extended to June 1, 2020.

    APPLY FOR COVID-19 CO CREATIVES GRANT

     

     

    Colorado Artist Relief Fund Open

    The Colorado Artist Relief Fund supports artists experiencing economic distress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund is a collaboration between multiple funders and arts organizations working at state, regional, and local levels. Currently, it has received more applications than it can fund, but will continue distributing grants as the funding becomes available. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

    Individuals, foundations and organizations from across Colorado can contribute to the Colorado Artist Relief Fund and if foundations or corporations are interested in partnering on this initiative they should contact . 

    APPLY FOR THE CO ARTIST RELIEF FUND

     

    Applications Open for Arts in Society

    Arts in Society is a collaborative grant-making program that fosters cross-sector work through the arts by supporting the integration of arts and culture into multiple disciplines critical to the health and well-being of Coloradans. These grants will provide funding to support individuals and organizations who seek to implement projects that utilize the arts as an integral element in promoting social justice and community welfare, including, but not limited, to projects responding to COVID-19 related needs. Grants will range in size from $5,000-$35,000. Applications are due by June 1, 2020.

    To learn more about Arts in Society and the application process join the webinar on Tuesday, May 5th, 2020 at 1:00 PM. For inquiries you can contact Libby Barbee at .

    MORE INFO ABOUT ARTS IN SOCIETY

     

    National Endowment for the Arts CARES Act

    The National Endowment for the Arts announces the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act which will award funds to nonprofit arts organizations across the country to help these entities and their employees endure the economic hardships caused by the forced closure of their operations due to the spread of COVID-19. 

    NEA CARES ACT GUIDELINES

     

    National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grant

    Our Town projects lay the groundwork for systemic changes that sustain the integration of arts, culture, and design into local strategies for strengthening communities. These projects require a partnership between a local government entity and nonprofit organization, one of which must be a cultural organization; and should engage in partnership with other sectors. Matching grants range from $25,000 to $200,000, with a minimum cost share and match equal to the grant amount.

    LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TOWN

     

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  • Consumer Advisory: COVID-Related Enrollment Period Ends Thursday, April 30 Colorado Insurance Commissioner: “Take advantage of this time to enroll.”

    Colorado’s Insurance Commissioner and Director of the Division of Insurance, Michael Conway, is urging uninsured Coloradans to take advantage of the COVID-19-related special period to enroll in individual health insurance (meaning insurance not from an employer). This period will end on Thursday, April 30.

    “In the midst of this pandemic, there are many uncertainties, but what we do know is that people with health insurance will be in a better position to get through this. They are more likely to seek treatment for their medical needs – whether those be chronic conditions or emergency situations like COVID-19. And they are less likely to suffer huge financial hits from large hospital bills. That’s why I am encouraging anyone who doesn’t have health insurance to take advantage of this special enrollment over the next two days and get enrolled.” 

    Colorado consumers are encouraged to enroll through our state’s exchange, Connect for Health Colorado, as financial assistance for those who qualify is only available when enrolling through Connect. Contact them at 855-752-6749, visit ConnectforHealthCO.com to get assistance or use their Quick Cost & Plan Finder to check eligibility for financial assistance and find plans. Health insurance coverage will start on May 1 for anyone enrolling during this period.  

    Coloradans who lose their employer-based health insurance, are reminded that loss of such coverage allows them a 60-day window to enroll in individual coverage, whenever that might happen throughout the year. A change in income or a person’s living situation may also trigger such enrollment windows. See Connect for Health Colorado’s “When can I buy insurance?” page for details. 

     

     

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  • State releases testing results from testing at three Front-Range long-term care facilitie

    State releases testing results from testing at three Front-Range long-term care facilitie

    The state released the results from the testing initiated by the Unified Command Center (UCC) at three long-term care facilities on April 19. The COVID-19 testing is supported by members of the Colorado National Guard, Colorado State Patrol, and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.    Approximately 40% of Colorado’s COVID-19 fatalities are associated with long-term care facilities.  The three testing sites were chosen based on their size and the fact that they had NOT identified outbreaks prior to the testing. This proactive testing strategy was instrumental in identifying previously unrecognized infections in the facilities. Having this information early has provided much-needed time for these facilities to react quickly in implementing appropriate infection prevention practices to limit the further spread of infection.   The state provided tests to each facility to test staff and residents. Nearly 900 tests were administered.  There were 20 positive or presumed positive results, and some results are still pending. If facilities have outbreaks, more details on the results will be shared in the state’s weekly outbreak report, which is published each Wednesday as epidemiologists investigate and confirm test results: https://covid19.colorado.gov/data/outbreak-data.

    Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.

     

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  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to meet April 30 in virtual meeting

    The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission will discuss an annual review of regulations related to furbearers and small game, a citizen petition for rulemaking related to contests involving small game and furbearers, a final review of regulations requiring a valid hunting or fishing license for all persons 18 years of age and older to access all state wildlife areas and state trust lands leased by the Division, and a final review of regulations revising the process by which Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Commission respond to citizen petitions for rulemaking at a virtual meeting on Thursday, April 30. The meeting will be streamed live on CPW’s YouTube page here.

    The Commission will also discuss recommended funding for the 2020 Non-Motorized Trail Grants and the Land and Water Conservation Fund Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant.

    The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and adjourn at 5 p.m. on April 30.

    Additional agenda items include: • Department of Agriculture Update

    The commission meets regularly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation. Anyone can listen to commission meetingsthrough the CPW website. This opportunity keeps constituents informed about the development of regulations and how the commission works with Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff to manage the parks, wildlife and outdoor recreation programs administered by the agency. Find out more about the commission on the CPW website.

    The next commission meeting will take place as a virtual meeting on May 6 and 7.

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  • Bennet Announces $3.2 Million in COVID-19 Funding for Colorado Rural Hospitals

    Bennet Announces $3.2 Million in COVID-19 Funding for Colorado Rural Hospitals

    Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program has awarded $3.2 million for Colorado’s rural hospitals to combat the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The funds, which were included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, will be awarded to the Colorado Rural Health Center, which provides resources and support to rural health care facilities and organizations across Colorado.

     “This funding will provide much-needed relief to our rural hospitals across the state who have been working around the clock to support their communities during this crisis on shrinking budgets,” said Bennet. “While I’m glad to see these dollars on their way to Colorado, for the many rural providers who were already in debt prior to the coronavirus outbreak, this is only a fraction of the support they need. We’ll keep working to sustain these providers for the long haul so that they can continue to serve their communities through and beyond this pandemic.”

     “The Colorado Rural Health Center is thankful for the HRSA COVID 19 funding to assist 39 rural hospitals in Colorado. Prior to the COVID 19 crisis, 18 rural hospitals were operating in the red and with our current crisis this financial challenge has increased significantly,” said Michelle Mills, Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Rural Health Center.

    More information on the award is available HERE.

     

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  • Colorado Department of Human Services announces plans to increase support for families in need of child care

    Colorado Department of Human Services announces plans to increase support for families in need of child care

    The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) announced actions it is taking to help vulnerable families who need access to child care during the COVID-19 crisis and the coming recovery period.

    First, for families who receive subsidized child care through the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), the state will extend the amount of time a family qualifies for CCCAP while searching for a job or waiting to resume an educational or training program from three months to six months. With many industries slowing or stopping hiring, this extended eligibility provides children with stable early childhood education while families secure new employment during this unprecedented time. 

    The state is also extending eligibility for all families currently enrolled in CCCAP by an additional three months, from 12 months to 15 months, over the next year. This also provides stability for participating families, ensuring continued access to high-quality child care. 

    Finally, CDHS, through a public-private partnership with Mile High United Way, the Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA), the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, and Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), is supporting the Keep the Lights on Fund. Through this public-private partnership, an initial bulk purchase of supplies, including gloves, bleach and paper towels, is being made to support an estimated 1,200 child care providers. This unprecedented coordination among Early Childhood Councils and local partners in the distribution of supplies is critical at a time when supplies are difficult to purchase on an individual basis, and child care providers may have had to close (or may close in the future) because they could not access the necessary cleaning supplies to operate safely. Assisting these providers will help them keep their doors open, and help families who depend on these providers for care. 

    “These changes help us support all Colorado families,” says CDHS Executive Director Michelle Barnes. “We are committed to ensuring families have access to safe, affordable child care, and child care providers have what they need to operate safely.”

     

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  • Colorado Delegation Members Urge FCC to Grant Children’s Hospital Colorado Funding for Rapid Expansion of Telehealth

    Colorado Delegation Members Urge FCC to Grant Children’s Hospital Colorado Funding for Rapid Expansion of Telehealth

    Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D) and Colorado U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette (D), Ed Perlmutter (D), Doug Lamborn (R), Scott Tipton (R), Ken Buck (R), Jason Crow (D), and Joe Neguse (D) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai and Wireline Competition Bureau Chief Kris Monteith requesting full consideration of Children’s Hospital Colorado’s application for the FCC COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which was authorized in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support the telehealth efforts of health care providers amid the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

     “[M]any of Children’s Colorado patients remain chronically ill and vulnerable, requiring ongoing access to the elevated level of care available only at Children’s Hospital…Children’s Colorado has already undertaken a massive mobilization of a novel treatment paradigm, growing their telehealth volume from an average of 20 visits per day in 2019 to an average of 1,200 per day now. Still, much more is needed. Children’s Colorado has the potential to considerably build on this momentum, extend it further to all patients who need it, and sustain that access going forward,” wrote the lawmakers.

     With new FCC funding, Children’s Hospital Colorado would be able to dramatically expand their telehealth services, enabling them to support their patients while reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for themselves, their families, and their communities and reduce the use of personal protective equipment as the country faces widespread shortages.

     The lawmakers continued: “The proposed FCC funding would help limit community spread of the virus and significantly mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on Children’s Colorado’s patients who are at greatest risk of poor health by implementing telehealth and other creative technological solutions to ensure continued patient access from their homes and in partnership with their community PCP.”

     “Therefore, we encourage you to give the application submitted by the Children’s Hospital Colorado every appropriate consideration consistent with all applicable laws and regulations. Thank you for your consideration, and please notify our offices of any funds awarded,” the lawmakers concluded.

     “At Children’s Hospital Colorado, we’ve gone from an average of 20 telehealth visits per day to 1,200 per day as we adapt to the novel coronavirus, but there’s so much more we can do to build on this innovation, extend it to all patients who need it, and sustain it going forward,” said Jena Hausmann, President and CEO of Children’s Hospital Colorado. “Senator Bennet and the entire Colorado delegation are champions for telehealth and other creative healthcare solutions, and we deeply appreciate their support for funding from the FCC that will help us ensure that kids in Colorado and across our region can get the care they need while remaining safe at home and limiting the risk of community spread of the virus.”

     The text of the letter is available HERE . 

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  • State of Colorado Receives Battelle System to Decontaminate Used N95 Masks

    State of Colorado Receives Battelle System to Decontaminate Used N95 Masks

    The Colorado Unified Coordination Center received a Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System that cleans and disinfects used N95 respirators for reuse. The system will be installed at the Adams County Fairgrounds in the Exhibit Hall today.   The system will be returned to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) when no longer needed.

    Battelle Critical Care Decontamination Systems are self-contained, mobile decontamination units that use vapor phase hydrogen peroxide to decontaminate N95 filtering facepiece respirators from biological contaminants, including SARS-CoV-2. The system can decontaminate up to 80,000 used N95 respirators per system per day, with a single respirator able to be reused up to 20 times without degradation.

    The State of Colorado is approved for two systems by the U.S. HHS  and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  A second location is being secured within the state to house the second system.

    All healthcare personnel are eligible for the free N95 decontamination, including emergency medical service personnel, nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, technicians, therapists, phlebotomists, pharmacists, dentists and dental hygienists, students and trainees, contractual staff not employed by the healthcare facility, and persons not directly involved in patient care, but who could be exposed to infectious agents that can be transmitted in the healthcare setting (e.g., clerical, dietary, environmental services, laundry, security, engineering and facilities management, administrative, billing, and volunteer personnel). Additionally, non-medical personnel participating in an emergency response due to COVID-19 also qualify as a healthcare professional under the Battelle Emergency Use Authorization.

    How to sign up:

    • To get N95 respirators cleaned, health care providers must first fill out an enrollment form at battelle.org/decon. 
    • Battelle will return an email with links to the enrollment contract, instructions and the Battelle point of contact.
    • The enrollee will be given a three-digit code, which must be written on the respirators with permanent marker.
    • The respirators need to be unsoiled, free of blood, mucus, makeup, lip balm, etc. Place all masks into a single plastic bag and tie off the bag when it is full. Any soiled masks will be thrown out. The bag must be placed into a second plastic bag that should be wiped down with disinfectant. 
    • The respirators must be placed into a shipping box and labeled with the three-digit code and a biohazard sticker.
    • The enrollee contacts a shipper to coordinate pickup and delivery. 

    Follow the step-by-step process of how to submit respirators for decontamination.

    Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.

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  • Unemployment Benefits Now Being Paid After Dela

    (DENVER) — Today during a weekly press call, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) updated that there was a one day delay in paying benefit payments for those people who requested payment on their claims on April 19th. Benefits are usually made within 72 hours of the benefit payment request. The delay also included the $600/week federal benefits available to all paid claimants under the Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC) program. Benefits have now started to be deposited in those claimant accounts. We will continue to update claimants via email, website updates and media advisories on any future impacts, though it appears the errors causing the delay have been addressed. 

    Today’s press call is available here

    The press call also included updates on the new online application launched Monday to accept Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims from self-employed, gig workers and those otherwise not eligible for regular unemployment due to COVID-19.  Since Monday, the new application has received more than 51,000 applications for these benefits. 

     

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  • Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program 2020 Request for Proposals (RFP) Now Open; Submissions due May 18

    Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program 2020 Request for Proposals (RFP) Now Open; Submissions due May 18

    DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is pleased to announce the 2020 Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP). The CWHP is a statewide program that supports CPW’s mission by offering funding opportunities to private landowners who wish to voluntarily protect important wildlife habitats on their property, and/or provide wildlife-related recreational access to the public.  

    The CWHP is an incentive-based and voluntary program that uses conservation easements, public access easements, and in limited circumstances, fee title purchases to accomplish strategic wildlife conservation goals and/or public access goals. Priority is given to proposals for conservation easements and public access easements over fee title purchases (per CPW policy and Title 33-4-102.7 C.R.S.).

    Funding for the 2020 cycle is approximately $11 million and is made possible through a conservation partnership with Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and from revenue generated through the sale of habitat stamps. 

    To Apply

    To apply, a landowner, or his/her designee, must complete a project proposal form (“Proposal”) that addresses one or more of the following Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission (“Commission”) 2020 funding priorities: • Public access for hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing

    • Big game winter range and migration corridors
    • Protecting habitat for species of concern (specifically those Species of Greatest Conservation Need, as identified in the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Statewide Action Plan)
    • Riparian areas and wetlands
    • Landscape-scale parcels and parcels that provide connectivity to conserved lands  

    All application materials will be available on or before Wednesday, April 15, 2019 through the following CPW webpage: http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/LandWaterCWHP.aspx

    Proposals will be accepted until 5:00 pm on Monday, May 18, 2019

    Completed Proposals are to be emailed to: Applicants will receive a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of Proposals.

    It is not required that CPW hold conservation easements funded through the CWHP.  A landowner may request a land trust, local government, or other conservation organization (collectively, “Third Party,”) to submit a Proposal on his/her behalf. If the Proposal involves a conservation easement to be held by a Third Party, the entity must be qualified to hold conservation easements under federal and state law.

    Additional Information

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife recognizes that maintaining wildlife-compatible agriculture on the landscape is an important benefit that can be realized through appropriately crafted conservation easements and land management plans. All conservation easement projects funded through the CWHP will have an accompanying management plan that must be agreed upon by the landowner and CPW prior to the closing of the project. The management plan typically includes provisions for the type, timing, and duration of livestock grazing, recreational activities, and overall management of habitat to protect or enhance the property’s conservation values identified in the conservation easement. Negotiating the terms and conditions of the management plan is a key step in the conservation easement process. Landowners are encouraged to develop a clear vision of the future of their property prior to submitting their Proposal. Proposals are scored and ranked through a rigorous review process to evaluate strategic conservation impacts, biological significance, public benefits, and project feasibility. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their local CPW Area Wildlife Manager or his/her designee for assistance describing the wildlife and habitat values accurately and to discuss the merits of their Proposal.  Local CPW office contact information may be found at https://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Maps/CPW_Areas.pdf.

    Projects are provided funding based on recommendation by the Commission. Applicants are expected to be notified of the Commission’s final award decisions following the November 2020 Commission meeting.

    All projects involving conservation easements are required by law to be monitored annually. Third-Party conservation easement holders are required to submit to CPW a copy of the annual monitoring report for each conservation easement that receives funding through the CWHP. 

    Public access is not required for conservation easement projects. However, conservation easement proposals that separately offer to convey to CPW public access for wildlife-related recreation may be eligible for compensation in addition to compensation for the conservation easement. Landowners may also submit proposals to the CWHP for projects where the sole purpose is to provide hunting or fishing access to the public through a public access easement.

    Under Colorado law, terms of the transaction become a matter of public record after the project is completed and closed. Additionally, it is important for CPW and our major funding partners to provide accurate information to the public regarding the CWHP efforts to protect vital habitats and provide hunting and fishing access opportunities.  Applicants should be aware that after a project has closed, information about the transaction, including funding amounts, may be used by CPW for internal planning and public information purposes. 

    All real estate transactions in this program are subject to an appraisal to verify value.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult their legal and financial advisors when contemplating any real estate transaction associated with the CWHP.

    Contact Information

    For additional information about the CWHP or application process, please contact:

    Amanda Nims, Land Protection Specialist and Program Manager, CWHP

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Real Estate Section

    6060 Broadway

    Denver, CO 80216

    (303) 291-7269

     

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