Can Do Colorado Community Challenge Launches to Promote a Healthy Reopening of the Economy

Following Governor Polis’ announcement today of the Can Do Colorado Community Challenge, departments and organizations throughout state government are offering a wide array of resources, including at least $5 million in grant funding and expert technical assistance, to help reopen the economy safely while making progress toward important health and community vitality goals. 

The Can Do Community Challenge, an extension of the Can Do Colorado campaign that is spotlighting innovative businesses finding ways to keep going through the COVID-19 response, is asking local communities and their resident businesses to find new opportunities to restart commerce in ways that are safe and sustainable. Lessons learned from the rapid adoption of teleworking and the ensuing benefits from better air quality and reduced traffic can help businesses and commercial centers reopen safely, sustain some telework practices, extend the benefits of reduced air pollution and traffic for everyone, and find innovative ways to reuse public spaces and help more businesses thrive in a world of social distancing. Additional efforts are focused on helping essential workers, who were often underpaid and underappreciated, find safe and sustainable ways to continue their heroic work for us all. 

Partnering departments and organizations include the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Colorado Energy Office, the City and County of Denver, the Colorado Association of Ski Towns, the Denver Regional Council of Governments, the I-70 Coalition, and the Regional Air Quality Council. Their respective leaders offered the following joint statement:

“Coloradans have taken unprecedented steps that have saved lives and kept many of us healthy. Now, we owe it to those who passed away, are struggling to recover, and who have experienced immense economic hardship to build a better future that makes this place healthier, sustainable, and vibrant. We will challenge each other to keep innovating, and we pledge to support each other with every resource and idea we can share.”

Details about each of the specific programs and types of assistance available are detailed in the attached fact sheet. As additional information becomes available, please visit CanDoColorado.org for the latest.

More information available at Can Do Colorado Community Challenge.