Partnering with Business

Region 10’s Small Business Resource Center provides assistance to businesses experiencing economic distress and/or disruption with SBDC business consulting, technical assistance services, and loan fund assistance.  Our information sheet regarding these and additional programs can be found here and can be printed to share with businesses.

The SBA has created a clearinghouse of information, including resources on the following:

• Guidance for businesses and employers
• Access to capital
• Workforce capacity
• Inventory and supply chain shortfalls
• Export assistance

What About My Employees?

Resources offer through Colorado Department of Labor & Employment (CDLE):

• Emergency Paid Leave Rule - This rule is meant to limit the spread of highly contagious disease and enables workers in at-risk occupations to access testing.
• Unemployment Insurance - During layoffs, all employees are encouraged to apply for unemployment insurance. Those who are job-attached (meaning workers will be expected to return after a separation of up to 16 weeks) should file as "job-attached."
• Work-Share Program may allow certain employees who have had reduced hours to claim partial unemployment benefits.
• Layoff/Separations
• Federal Regulations—Families First Legislation

But I’m a Sole Proprietor or Gig Worker!?! 

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Claim:

• If you have only been self-employed (see below for a list of types of employment) for the last 18 months and you pay taxes on that income, you should file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.
• If you are an employee of a nonprofit church or religious organization that does not pay unemployment. NOTE: Some religious organizations may elect to pay unemployment and then you have to file a regular unemployment claim.

Self-employed or independent contractor includes:

• A sole proprietor who does not pay unemployment premiums
• Business owner
• Gig-economy worker
• Freelancer
• App-based worker (e.g. Uber, Lyft, Instacart)
• Being issued a 1099 form from the business to report income for tax purposes
• Filing a Schedule C tax form to report income made and lost 

Additional Resources

IRS: Coronavirus Tax Relief for Businesses and Tax-Exempt Entities