County Declares Disaster Emergency

Published on March 18, 2020

A declaration of disaster emergency was signed by the Weld County Board of Commissioners this morning to ensure any future Federal assistance made available in response to COVID-19 is accessible to not only our business community but also county residents.

“Typically, when a county declares a disaster emergency, it’s because local resources are no longer able to manage the emergency effectively,” said Commissioner Chair Mike Freeman. “While our local government resources are not at that point, the health pandemic has created an extremely difficult economic situation for the public. This declaration is being made for our residents and business owners.”

While information regarding future financial Federal assistance for individuals and businesses is still coming in, business owners with questions and concerns can contact Upstate Colorado at https://upstatecolorado.org/ or the Small Business Development Center https://eastcoloradosbdc.com/.

The declaration in part reads:

WHEREAS, as a result of the restrictions placed on businesses and because of temporary business and office closings, families in Weld County will be suffering economic hardships in the next few weeks and months, and

WHEREAS, pursuant to C.R.S. §§ 24-33.5-701, et. seq. (the “Colorado Disaster Emergency Act"), and Title VI of PL 93-288, as amended, The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Weld County’s citizens and businesses suffering economic injury as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic Health Emergency may qualify for Federal disaster assistance, or be eligible to apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans because of a Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration, as long as the Board declares there exists in Weld County a disaster emergency.
Read the full declaration here(PDF, 86KB).