After months of discussion, three bipartisan legislative task forces have finalized their recommendations for how Colorado should spend $2.6 billion in American Rescue Plan Act dollars to increase affordable housing, improve Coloradans’ mental health and boost the state’s economic recovery from the pandemic. Now, it’s time for state lawmakers to figure out how they will […]
federal stimulus package
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Southeastern Colorado struggles to attract home builders. Now federal stimulus will help add 127 homes.
Between the state and private prisons, the sheriff’s office, schools and a growing cannabis cultivation industry, there are plenty of workers who could make Crowley County their home. Except there aren’t enough places for them to live. And, as the supply of houses and apartments has declined in the rural county east of Pueblo, few […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: Use Colorado’s federal stimulus funds to build more affordable homes
Homeownership transforms families and communities. The stability and financial security provided by an affordable, safe home is a proven launching pad for homeowners and their families to realize their full potential, achieve greater levels of success, and build intergenerational wealth. Lack of access to homeownership is a root cause of inequity: the typical white family […]
Posted inEconomy, Housing, News
Colorado has paid out just 7.4% of its federal rent-assistance funds
With some renters still waiting weeks or months for a promised rent check from Colorado’s share of federal rent assistance, the state Department of Local Affairs said it has switched vendors so all payments approved by July 31 should be paid within two weeks. “As of Aug. 17, we have switched to Bill.com for making […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Five moments that defined Colorado’s 2021 legislative session
Every legislative session in Colorado has its defining moments, but not every legislative session happens with a global pandemic as the backdrop. And an economic downturn. And a contentious national election. And two mass shootings. And a national reckoning about race. So when a tornado even ripped through Weld County in the final hours of […]
Posted inEconomy, News, Politics and Government
Housing, workforce development, infrastructure: How Colorado Democrats plan to spend $3.8B in federal aid
Colorado Democrats on Monday unveiled the broad strokes of how they plan to spend $3.8 billion in federal coronavirus stimulus money being sent to state government, prioritizing affordable housing, workforce development and infrastructure projects. More than half of the money — $2 billion — will be allocated before the 2021 legislative session ends by June […]
Posted inBusiness, Economy, News
Colorado’s unemployment fund is nearly $1 billion in debt. Small businesses are worried about paying the tab.
The last time Centennial Container saw the cost of its unemployment insurance premiums increase, owner Jim Noon didn’t think too much about the additional $40 a year per employee. “I mean, it adds up, but it’s not close-the-business material,” said Noon, who called a January 2020 state law to increase the base wage employers must […]
Posted inBusiness, Economy, News, Politics and Government
Here’s how Colorado’s unemployed influenced the new federal coronavirus relief bill
Last-minute changes to the federal relief plan passed late Monday aren’t as rosy as some on unemployment had hoped when the proposal made its way through Congress last week. But the new plan, which picks up where the CARES Act ends on Dec. 26, extends jobless benefits for 11 weeks, instead of 16, and has […]
Posted inBusiness, Economy, News
What’s Working: CARES Act II inches closer as 280,000 Coloradans will lose unemployment benefits day after Christmas
By the time you read this, there could be a new federal COVID-19 relief package on its way to the Oval Office for the president’s signature, which is good timing since roughly 280,000 Coloradans will lose their unemployment benefits on the day after Christmas. But it was a rough Friday evening as Congress couldn’t come […]
Posted inBusiness, Health, Politics and Government
Colorado lawmakers reconvene to consider stimulus plan, but experts question the cost to the state
The unemployment checks for Englewood resident Dana John and her husband ended in July, and the $1,200 federal stimulus money is long gone. One small hope on the horizon is the $375 check Colorado is sending as a stimulus to lower-income unemployed workers. It’s not much, but John said it’s much needed. “I don’t know […]