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Colorado business training, events, and funding opportunities

Training Opportunities & Events

Employment Law Webinar
January 29 | 10 a.m. | Register Here
Offered by the Summit Chamber of Commerce. Topics that will be covered: The Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; The Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS); The Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.
Smart Growth America Equity Summit
January 26 to 28 | Register Here
This Summit will be focused on improving racial equity, economic inclusion, and restorative justice through smart growth. The event is a three-day virtual summit convening a group of experts, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss how to center improving racial equity in smart growth work.
Census Webinar
February 2|Offered by Colorado Municipal League| Register here. Census Bureau will present information regarding the 2020 Census. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/3bw0M4e
Federal Resources for Creative Community Development Webinar
February 9 | 2 p.m. | Register Here
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, the National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations, and Metris Arts Consulting.  This seminar is designed to help you access federal funds and harness the power of arts and culture for community development. It will feature the new Creative Placemaking Public Resources Guide and will discuss practical tips on accessing federal grant programs.
CML Legislative Workshop
February 11 | Virtual | Register Here
This popular and timely workshop is being held virtually this year. It is your opportunity to discuss the key municipal issues before the General Assembly, CML’s legislative program, and what you can do to influence the legislative process.
Town Hall: What Licensees Need to Know: Delivery
February 11 | 10:30 am – Noon |Register Here
The Colorado Department of Revenue’s Marijuana Enforcement Division is holding a Town Hall from 10:30 a.m. – noon. Please see the Town Hall invitation at bit.ly/3iOBFv1 for all important information, including the registration link for both Town Halls. You must register ahead of the Town Hall to receive the Zoom link. This session is open to the public and all are welcome.

Funding & Technical Assistance

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program
More info here. Are you a theatrical producer, talent representative, venue promoter or do you operate a live venue, live performing arts organization, movie house or cultural institution and have been impacted by COVID-19? Eligible organizations with a reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have the opportunity to receive up to a $10 million grant under the program. Offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Local Initiatives Support Corporation Rural Relief Small Business Grants
Next round open from January 26 through February 2 | More info here
The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is offering Rural Relief Small Business Grants for up to $20,000. Grants support small businesses and enterprises affected by COVID-19 across the country, especially those in underserved communities, including entrepreneurs of color, women- and veteran-owned businesses that often lack access to flexible, affordable capital.
Grants for Solutions Addressing Issues Facing Disadvantaged Communities
The Andrew Family Foundation seeks to partner with nonprofit organizations in the United States offering creative solutions that address issues facing under-resourced communities as well as the protection and preservation of the natural environment in which they live.
Direct Service Programs for Traumatized Children Funded
The Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation’s Children’s Initiative provides support to direct service programs that promote resilience, stability, and pyscho-social health for youth ages 14 to 21 who have been traumatized by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
Visionary Freedom Fund – Grants to Promote Youth Justice Efforts
The Visionary Freedom Fund seeks to ensure that Black, Brown, and Indigenous (BIPOC) youth impacted by the youth justice system on the frontlines have the resources, capacities, infrastructure, and relationships they need to develop and implement inspiring long-term, visionary change in their communities.
Funding for Community Gardens
The Nature’s Path Gardens for Good program supports nonprofit organizations with community garden projects in the U.S.
Wetland Conservation Grants
Offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The North American Wetlands Conservation Act U.S. Standard Grants Program offers matching grants to support public-private partnerships carrying out projects that further the goals of the Act.
Fire Safety Research and Fire Prevention Grants
U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security. The Fire Prevention and Safety Grant program supports fire prevention programs and firefighter health and safety research and development.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Many lenders will have their own application which will include the updated questions required by the SBA. Be ready and prepared to submit your application by utilizing the forms below to take to an eligible lender. Northwest Colorado SBDC Consultants are here and ready to help you with your application. PPP 1st Draw Borrower Application / PPP 2nd Draw Borrower Application.
Employee Ownership Trial Grant
Grant funding is now available through OEDIT’s Employee Ownership Office on a first-come, first-served basis to Colorado-headquartered small businesses. The grant can be used to reimburse professional technical services required for employee ownership business structure transitions (accounting, legal, and business valuation services). Learn more and apply here.
Great Outdoors Colorado Resilient Communities Program
Deadline: Feb. 2, 2021. More info here. In response to the unprecedented disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, GOCO is launching a one-time, $15 million Resilient Communities Program to advance outdoor recreation, stewardship, and land protection projects. Through the Resilient Communities Program, GOCO will fund one-time, immediate needs or opportunities that have emerged in direct response to the pandemic.

Resources

Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade COVID-19 Resources for Businesses and Nonprofits
Comprehensive information on the following: links to each of these topics HERE.