Starting today, Monday, January 4, 2021, a decision by the Governor and CDPHE to balance health and economic concerns has moved Summit County to Level Orange on the dial (not our case numbers). This means that while some restrictions have loosened, especially for restaurants, there are still considerations and advantages for businesses currently certified in the 5 Star program.

How will this impact the “5 Star” Certification program, which has been implemented for restaurants and personal fitness?

• This move from Level Red to Level Orange will NOT allow Summit County’s “5 Star” certified businesses to move up another level to Yellow because Summit County’s COVID-19 new case numbers still solidly place Summit County in Level Red.
• A county would have to have numbers and data that actually puts it in Level Orange in all 3 categories (new cases, % positivity, and hospitalization rate) for a solid 7 day period in a declining trend before a county could apply for another “5 Star” certification program variance with the State.

Advantages to keeping 5 Star certification? 

• You can continue to advertise as 5 Star. Some customers will feel more comfortable dining at a 5 Star facility because the extra health and safety measures required for certification can help reduce transmission.
• Did we mention these extra measures can actually help reduce transmission?
• Maintaining certification will also streamline the transition to Level Yellow capacity when our metrics actually qualify for Level Orange.

What happens if I choose to discontinue the 5 Star certification?

If you no longer wish to follow 5 Star protocols:

• Your business will be removed from the 5 Star list
• You must stop advertising your business as 5 Star. If you continue to advertise as 5 Star while not meeting the criteria, you may be subject to citations and 5 Star revocation which will make your business ineligible for 30-60 days.

What are the required extra steps to maintain my certification in light of looser restrictions?

Your business will still need:

• Increased and/or improved ventilation
• Customer contact information for contact tracing
• Customer symptom screening
• Additional hours or accommodations for higher risk populations
• Written operating plans and outbreak notification plans
• The additional posted signage required with your certification

What are the requirements for all restaurants in Level Orange?

Indoor dining is now allowed at ALL restaurants, not just those with a “5 Star” certification.

• Restaurants may operate at 25% of the posted occupancy limit indoors not to exceed 50 people, excluding staff, whichever is less, per room. Restaurants may also use any existing, licensed outdoor space for in-person dining.
• On-premises sale, consumption and service of alcohol must stop by 9:30pm
• Takeout alcohol sales must stop by 10:30pm
• Indoor dining no longer has to close by 10:00pm
• Dining parties are limited to 10 people from no more than two households (up from one household); patrons in different parties must be spaced a minimum of six (6) feet apart. Summit County Public Health encourages as additional spacing between parties if possible.
• Employee records- Restaurants must collect current contact information for all employees, dates of all shifts worked by all employees, and other known places of employment for each employee.

What about gyms and fitness? 

ALL personal fitness providers (not just those with a “5 Star” certification) may operate at 25% capacity or 25 people, whichever is fewer; outdoor groups limited to 10 people

Again, our success depends on our individual actions and how willing we are to refrain from risky behaviors for the good of our community, our businesses, and the people we love. Restrictions and guidelines are only as good as the people willing to make the right decision even when no one is watching.

The 5 Star Committee will be meeting Wednesday to discuss the current permit language which conflicts with some of these changes.

The Town of Frisco has 36 businesses that should qualify for this waiver.

• No action is required on the part of the eligible business to waive liquor license fees at the state level. They will automatically waive renewal fees once, for 365 days for on premise licenses beginning December 7, 2020
• The waiver is applicable to on premise consumption licenses such as restaurants, bars, breweries and distilleries, and not retail (liquor stores, grocery stores, convenience stores).
• Transfer fees, concurrent review fees, permanent modifications, manager registration fees are NOT being waived.
• Late fees and reissuance fees will be waived.
• If a licensee has already paid, it will NOT be refunded.
• The state is looking at application dates to determine if a fee qualifies for a waiver – If an applicant applied before December 7^th, 2020, they are processing the checks.  If an application is dated December 7, 2020 or later, they will shred the checks (but not return them).

• While Summit County is still finalizing the details of which licenses specifically qualify, restaurants and certain limited food service licenses, like bars will qualify. Convenience stores will not.
• The facilities that have fees waived will receive their license and no renewal notice with fee amount due issued.  Establishments that do not qualify will receive the normal renewal notice with amount they owe.
• Like the liquor license waivers, this is a one-time waiver.

$4 million  has been allocated for use by the Minority Business Office in the Colorado Office of Economic Development to provide direct relief payments, grants and loans, and technical assistance and consulting support to minority-owned businesses. Specific programs have not yet been announced in regards to this bill, however it is worth visiting the Minority Business Office website to see what ongoing programs and resources are available.

The federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has now re-opened for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. Read the latest guidance on the second round of PPP.

• SBA is currently accepting Paycheck Protection Program PPP loan applications from participating community financial institutions (CFIs) and lenders with under $1 billion in assets, which includes approximately 5,000 institutions, including community banks, credit unions, and farm credit institutions. Lender Match can help you find a participating lender. The program will open to all lenders on January 19, 2021.
• SBA will forgive loans if all employee retention criteria are met, and the funds are used for eligible expenses.
  • PPP loans have an interest rate of 1%.
  • Loans issued prior to June 5 have a maturity of 2 years. Loans issued after June 5 have a maturity of 5 years.

• NEW – Businesses that use an agent to file their PPP applications will be responsible for covering the corresponding expense for their service, not the lender. Businesses cannot use PPP funds to reimburse themselves for that fee.
• For PPP applicants that have previously received PPP loans, the financial institution which processed last year’s loan is your best place for you to begin new inquiries.

The links below provide detailed information for each corresponding element of the federal stimulus:

• 1st Draw PPP Loans: For qualified recipients that have not previously received a PPP loan
• 2nd Draw PPP Loans: For qualified recipients that have previously received a PPP loan
• Eligible PPP expenses for forgiveness have been expanded
• Guidance on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran
  and Women-Owned Businesses
• Changes to Employee Retention Tax Credit
• Shuttered Venue Grants: Businesses who qualify for this grant cannot receive this grant and new PPP funds. They will need to make a decision as to which funding source makes the most sense for their business.

• This tax credit is designed to encourage Eligible Employers to keep employees on their payroll, despite experiencing economic hardship related to COVID-19.
• This credit will allow employers to recoup up to $5,000 for wages paid to employees during the period March 12, 2020 to January 1, 2021.
• It is available to any business that either fully or partially suspends operation during any calendar quarter in 2020 due to COVID-19; or experiences a significant decline in gross receipts during the calendar quarter.
• The credit is taken against the employer portion of social security taxes.
• The employer may not receive the credit if they also receive the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP Loan). Learn More Here.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)- New Deadline December 31, 2021

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that the deadline to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)  has been extended to December 31, 2021. The EIDL can be used to meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred, with the following terms:

• 75% for businesses (fixed)
• 75% for nonprofits (fixed)
• 30 years
• No pre-payment penalty or fees

The EIDL Advance program will be re-opening for target areas. Information is forthcoming from SBA.

Small Businesses can still apply for the SBA Express Bridge Loan until March 13, 2021. This pilot program allows SBA Express Lenders authority to deliver expedited SBA-guaranteed financing on an emergency basis for disaster-related purposes to eligible small businesses, while the small businesses apply for and await long-term financing.

More information here.

• The SBA will defer loan payments for existing SBA borrowers (Small businesses who already have standard SBA 7(a), 504, or microloans), including principal, interest, and fees.
• This relief will also be available to new borrowers who take out an SBA loan within six months after the President signs the bill.
• While SBA borrowers are receiving the six month debt relief, they may apply for a PPP loan that provides capital to keep their employees on the job. Read More Here

*The availability and administration of the Emergency Grant program, the PPP, and the Debt Relief for existing SBA borrowers could change based on the action taken at the federal level, but it is worth applying via SBA Emergency Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) now to take advantage of this potential benefit.*

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado Department of Local Affairs’ Division of Housing (DOH) has launched emergency rental assistance programs for both landlords and tenants. Through the Property Owner Preservation Program, any business or its tenants have been unable to pay rent due to financial hardship caused by COVID-19 may be eligible for rental assistance from the state. Visit the Division of Housing’s Emergency Rental Assistance webpage for more information and to apply.