A Message from Mayor Coffman – May 1
COVID-19 Information and Resources
I know that these are tough times for everyone right now. I know our community is staying strong by supporting each other, taking precautions and supporting our local businesses. As a city, we want to continue to contain the spread of the virus and keep the community safe, while moving to reopen businesses and help the economy begin to recover. Here are a few items and resources that might be of interest.
City Strongly Encouraging Face Coverings to Keep People Safe
With public health and safety as our top priority, the city of Aurora on April 28 formally adopted the state’s regulations on face coverings for workers in critical businesses and strongly encourages all Aurora businesses to require customers to wear a face covering at all times when inside the business and also encouraging customers to comply. We have also asked the public health agency for Aurora, Tri-County Health to require face coverings. These actions are needed so, we not only move to Safer-at-Home, but keep our community safe, support our local businesses and help the economy begin to recover.
Mayor and Council Support Stanley Marketplace’s Meals for People in Need Program
I am pleased to share that the Aurora City Council and I are supporting Stanley Marketplace’s work with the Colorado Restaurant Response and CME Catering & Events to make 1,000 meals per day distributed to people in need via 13 different nonprofits throughout Aurora, covering the city’s six wards. This effort started April 23 and will continue throughout May, with a plan to distribute upwards of 40,000 meals to people in need.
Support Local!
Take the #MayorsChallenge and buy take out or delivery from a local restaurant at least once a week. Stanley Marketplace continues to offer its Stanley To Go program to support its businesses and provide the community with great curbside services. Visit ShopSouthlands.com for a list of retailers offering curbside pickup. On Havana Street is a special district dedicated to the economic vitality of the 4.3-mile corridor in Aurora. During these uncertain times, On Havana Street is promoting the more than 1,000 businesses in their district, connecting them to critical business resources and sharing their examples of best safety practices. Visit their OnHavanaStreet.com for an updated list of restaurants open for takeout and delivery, enter to win their gift card giveaway, and learn more about the businesses that are a huge part of Aurora.
Small Business Assistance
The Small Business Administration resumed accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders April 27. For a link to the website and a list of participating lenders in our area, visit AuroraGov.org/COVID-19 and click on Business Resources. The Aurora-South Metro Small Business Development Center hosts free webinars and programs related to small business. One upcoming webinar, COVID Assistance: Are you using all the financial tools available to you? Visit Aurora-SouthmetroSBDC.org
Employment Resources
If you have been impacted by a job loss during COVID-19, please take a look at the Colorado Department of Labor and Enrollment’s new one-stop resource website, OnwardCO.org. The website can connect you with services, funds and jobs during this crisis.
RTD Town Halls on COVID-19-related Service Changes
Three telephone town halls for RTD board directors serving Aurora are continuing. District F Director Bob Broom is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 7, and District G Director Ken Mihalik is set for 7:30 p.m. May 7. A town hall in Spanish for RTD’s entire service area also is scheduled at 6 p.m. May 21. This is your chance to ask questions on RTD services during COVID-19. Register to participate at https://vekeo.com/regional-transportation-district/#. To find out in which district you live, visit https://www.rtd-denver.com/board-district-map.
Reporting COVID-19 Cases
Feeling sick? Have a fever or cough? Report your symptoms to the state’s new symptom tracker to help the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment slow the spread of COVID-19. Visit the state’s website for details: https://intake-app-dot-cdphe-erm.appspot.com/intake-form.
To report a suspected case of COVID-19 in Arapahoe, Adams or Douglas counties or for additional guidance, call the Tri-County Health Department’s Disease Reporting Line at 303.220.9200 and ask for communicable disease.
Slow the Spread (#DoingMyPartCO)
• Hands: Wash them often
• Elbow: Cough into it
• Face: Don’t touch it
• Mask: Wear it out in public places
• Home: Stay close and avoid gatherings
• Distance: Stay more than 6 feet apart
• Connect: Virtually with friends and family
• Sick: Stay home
General Questions About COVID-19
For general COVID-19 questions, call CO Help at 303.389.1687, or for answers in many other languages, call 877.462.2911. Email COHelp@RMPDC.org for answers in English.
Information on city services at this time and other COVID-19 related resources can be found at AuroraGov.org/COVID-19.