February 10, 2021 – The second round of applications for the 2021 Pikes Peak Small Business COVID-19 Relief Program is now open. COVID-19 relief funding is available to local businesses through the passage of Senate Bill 20B-001 during the Colorado special session of the legislature in December 2020.

The program, funded by the State of Colorado, is available to:

  • Restaurants
  • Bars (including breweries, wineries, and distilleries)
  • Caterers
  • Movie theatres
  • Gyms
  • Recreation centers

El Paso County and the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments partnered with Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) to help administer the program and distribute the funds locally. CEF focused on making this particular grant application simple and straight forward, to make it easier for businesses to take advantage of the program. CEF will collect, process, and review all grant applications, and then provide the details of eligible businesses to PPACG. To be eligible, businesses in those categories must have experienced at least a 20% reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic since March 26, 2020. Grant awards will be a maximum of $7,000.

“PPACG is excited to see extension of the Small Business Grant program. Small businesses are an integral part of our region’s success and we are very thankful to work with our members to distribute this money. These critical funds are essential to our small businesses in need throughout the county. PPACG is proud to provide a forum for communities to work together in this way,” said PPACG Executive Director, Andrew Gunning.

The program aims to help El Paso County small businesses struggling to sustain operations with critical funding necessary to maintain their workforce and recover from the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike loans, small businesses awarded this grant won’t have to pay it back. Businesses can use the funding for essential needs and operating expenses such as rent or mortgage assistance, utility payments, employee payroll, or costs associated with 5 Star Program requirements.

Second round of applications for the 2021 Pikes Peak Small Business Relief Program are now being accepted, and can be submitted online. The process is as simple as applying and uploading documents such as a valid business license, 2019-2020 financial statements and federal tax returns. These documents should be readily accessible for businesses that have previously applied for the PPP loan and other grant programs.

Completed applications and required financial documents are due by March 5, 2021 at 5:00 PM for further review and consideration. For more information on eligibility requirements, a comprehensive list of FAQs and further details on the grant program, visit the 2021 Pikes Peak Small Business Relief Program website.