Over the last nine months, Coloradans have been tested, and we’ve overcome unprecedented challenges together. This global pandemic has not only upended our public health system but has caused a global recession that is impacting nearly every person in our state. Small businesses are looking for relief to help keep their doors open and staff on the payroll. More people are struggling to pay their bills or aren’t sure where their next meal will come from.
As months went by without action from the federal government, we knew that in Colorado we had to come together and do what we could to provide urgent support for those who have been hit the hardest. As soon as we were able, the General Assembly convened a special session to do just that.
And while we know that the relief we’re providing will not be a silver bullet for addressing all the challenges folks are facing, we refused to stand by and do nothing while we waited for the federal government to step up and do their part.
In just a week, we were able to pass and sign bipartisan legislation extending a lifeline to Colorado families, small businesses, arts and culture venues, childcare, students learning remotely and more.
Our small businesses help define the culture of our communities. In total we passed $105 million in small business relief, including $37 million in direct payments to small businesses such as restaurants, caterers, bars, fitness and recreational sports centers, movie theaters, and breweries, wineries, and distilleries. We cut red tape and waived fees to ensure that small businesses can keep more of the money they earn, as well as funded grants for our arts and culture organizations.
But it’s not just our businesses that need support. Coloradans across the state are facing challenges on all fronts.
This pandemic has caused many people to lose their jobs or become underemployed, and far too many are unsure of whether they’ll be able to make rent, pay their mortgage or keep the heat on. That’s why we put $60 million toward direct housing assistance for rent and mortgage payments and additional resources for the Eviction Legal Defense Fund, as well as $5 million in utility assistance. The legislature also allocated $5 million to support food pantries for those struggling with food insecurity during this difficult time.
Over the last nine months, many frontline workers, first responders and working families have relied on the support of child care providers to care for their children and serve our communities. There has been incredible demand on child care centers and homes across the state, and to ensure they can continue providing these critical services we put $45 million toward maintaining and increasing their capacity in Colorado.
Investing in our children and their education is the best thing we can do for the future of our state. This year as students, parents, and educators have transitioned between remote and in-person learning, access to high-speed broadband has become even more of a necessity. Without it, students, particularly low-income students and those living in rural areas, will fall further behind. We’re proud to have allocated $20 million to address this issue, and will continue looking at what we can do to help prevent learning loss when the legislature reconvenes.
While we’re incredibly proud of the bipartisan progress we’ve made to support people across our state who are just trying to get by, we know there is a lot more work to do. Congress is finally on the brink of coming together to pass a stimulus package. But until it is passed, we remain committed to doing everything we can to support our fellow Coloradans.
We’re all in this together, and we’ll get through it together.
Jared Polis is the governor of Colorado. He wrote this oped with Colorado Senate President Leroy Garcia, Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, House Speaker KC Becker and Speaker-designate Alec Garnett.
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