Business Development

COVID-19 Information

In response to the Coronavirus emergency, physical visits to the Community Development office at River City Hall are being suspended until at least Monday, May 11th. 

Business Resources

Regional Resources:

• City utility bill late fees to be waived
  • The City of Durango is instituting a moratorium on service disconnection for Water and Sewer during the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration. City water, sewer, trash and recycling service will continue, and late fees will be waived on city utility bills for through April 30, 2020. The City will work with customers on payment plan options for those who may find themselves unable to pay their bills in full during this time of difficulty. To discuss payment options, please call Customer Service at 970-375-5034.
• Southwest Colorado Disaster Assistance
  • SWCODA is a repository of resources and information that shares the many ways people can get assistance during this time, and how individuals and businesses can get involved and help.
  • A major function of SWCODA is to raise awareness and assist with fundraising efforts for the Community Emergency Relief Fund (CERF). This fund is set up for broad-based community emergencies in Southwest Colorado. CERF is actively fundraising for consequences directly related to the COVID-19 public health crisis in Southwest Colorado.
• Business Improvement District
  • Find out more about the BID’s various initiatives to support local businesses affected by COVID-19.
• Durango Chamber of Commerce
  • Click here to stay up-to-date  on the Chamber’s COVID-19 business response videos released every Tuesday and Thursday.
  • Chamber Survey
• Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado
  • Learn more about applying for Region 9’s Disaster Assistance Loan Program which provides low cost loans up to $10,000 to help cover essential businesses expenses. 
• La Plata County Economic Development Alliance
  • View the LPEDA’s Region 9 Business Resource Webinar to find about more regional and statewide programs available to your business,
• Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center
  • At no charge, the SBDC can provide you consulting and assistance to help your business devise a plan to navigate through these difficult times.
  • Call the Small Business COVID-19 Disaster Response Hotline - (303) 860-5881 - for more questions about federal, state, and local assistance programs and licensing requirements.

State of Colorado Resources:

• Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
  • Check out the Colorado COVID-19 Business Resource Center for state and federal updates.
• Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
  • Click here for alternatives to laying off your employees, including the Work Share Program.
  • During layoffs, all employees are encouraged to applyfor unemployment insurancefor unemployment insurance.
    
  • Because of high volume of applicants, CDLE is asking: 
    • If you need to file an unemployment claim and your last name begins with the letter A - M, file a claim on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or after 12 noon on Saturday.
    • If you need to file an unemployment claim and your last name begins with the letter N - Z, file a claim on Monday, Wednesday, Friday or before 12 noon on Saturday.
• Help Colorado Now 
  • Help Colorado Now has launched a grant program for community-based organizations providing direct assistance.  Those interested in applying for relief funds up to $25K can apply here.
• Colorado Department of Revenue
  • The Colorado Department of Revenue has extended the income tax payment deadline for all Colorado taxpayers by 90 days until July 15, 2020.  

Federal Resources:

• Small Business Administration
  • Small Businesses throughout Colorado are eligible to apply for the Small Business Administration’s Disaster Loans.  The SBA offers up to $2 million in low-interest loans to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations to help alleviate the economic injury caused by COVID-19.  Click here to learn more and apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
  • The SBA Express Bridge Loan provides small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 with less paperwork and a faster timeline
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Click here for the CDC’s Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• IRS
  • The Internal Revenue Service announced that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.

Business Loan Application Links:

• Region 9 Disaster Loan Program
• SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan
• SBA Express Bridge Loan