Employee assistance
Food and financial assistance
Garfield County Human Services – For general emergency assistance related to COVID-19, contact Garfield County Human Services in Glenwood Springs (970-945-9191) or Rifle (970-958-5282).
The Garfield County commissioners have made some emergency appropriations to help the community:
- $100,000 to help LIFT-UP provide drive-through meal services at the fairgrounds
- $500,000 to help people impacted by the economic slowdown; people should apply on the Garfield County website under Human Services.
- $40,000 to help the Grand River Health Meals on Wheels program deliver meals
LIFT-UP – Drive-thru food pantries are offered one day a week in Parachute, and two days a week in Rifle, New Castle, Glenwood Springs and Carbondale.
Aspen Community Foundation – The ACF’s COVID-19 Regional Response Fund is supporting food assistance and more from Aspen to Parachute.
Colorado PEAK – Online service to apply for food, cash, medical and early childhood assistance programs.
USDA rural development – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking immediate actions to help rural citizens, businesses and communities affected by COVID-19.
Holy Cross Energy has established $2 million for its members to go toward energy bill payment assistance and member equity checks to help offset impacts from COVID-19. Holy Cross Energy asistencia para miembros.
Jobs and unemployment
Unemployment Insurance – The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) has numerous resources for workers impacted by COVID-19. Unemployment benefits have been expanded to include self-employed or freelance workers, independent contractors, and those with a limited work history. Employees who quit their jobs for COVID-related reasons are also covered.
Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance – Those who are self-employed, independent contractors or otherwise ineligible for traditional unemployment benefits may apply for benefits on Monday, April 20. This program falls under Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES Act).
Connecting Colorado – a website that helps connect workers and employers.
Colorado Workforce Centers – Workforce centers provide free resources for workers seeking employment. The Northwest Colorado Workforce Area is working to identify which organizations are still hiring, who has immediate needs for staff related to coronavirus as well as what jobs are not impacted by the community response – open positions.
Student assistance
Colorado Student Relief Fund – The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) is administering $1 million from the $44 million Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund to help students. Colorado Mountain College received $105,000 through the fund.
More resources
CARES Act – support for families, workers and employers – details on direct support relief payments, unemployment benefits, paid sick and family leave, food and nutrition resources and more from Sen. Michael Bennet’s office.
Colorado Mountain College – CMC has made commitments in limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Eviction and foreclosure assistance – The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) has emergency funding available for rent and mortgage assistance to qualifying low-income families impacted by COVID-19.
Remote work checklist – The Northwest Colorado Small Business Development Center has provided a list of tips for working remotely.