{"id":50105,"date":"2020-12-01T22:07:49","date_gmt":"2020-12-02T05:07:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/colorado-lawmakers-demand-counties-comply-with-covid-19-restrictions-to-access-aid\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T03:50:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T09:50:09","slug":"colorado-lawmakers-demand-counties-comply-with-covid-19-restrictions-to-access-aid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/colorado-lawmakers-demand-counties-comply-with-covid-19-restrictions-to-access-aid\/","title":{"rendered":"Colorado lawmakers demand counties comply with COVID-19 restrictions to access aid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"A
A line of greenhouse buildings for dining use during the coronavirus pandemic serve customers for the Annette Restaurant at the Stanley Marketplace on Nov. 7, 2020 in Aurora.<\/span>Kathryn Scott\/Special to The Colorado Sun<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Colorado lawmakers are trying to use<\/p>\n

A bipartisan bill that won preliminary approval on Monday, the first day of a special legislative session, would withhold direct-aid payments to small businesses and arts organizations in counties that refuse to comply with mandates issued by the state\u2019s health department to slow the spread of the coronavirus.<\/p>\n

The legislation appears to target conservative Weld County, where commissioners have said they won\u2019t enforce red-level coronavirus mandates imposed on the county Nov. 22, including a ban on indoor dining and a ban on all personal gatherings.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis money was directed toward those businesses that have been most impacted by the public health orders,\u201d said Sen. Faith Winter, a Westminster Democrat who is spearheading the legislation. \u201cIf your county is refusing to (enforce) public health orders, the impacts are different.\u201d<\/p>\n

One Democratic lawmaker suggested a similar test should apply to restaurants and bars<\/a> that receive a temporary tax break under consideration in a separate bill.<\/p>\n

The attempt to compel counties to comply with guidelines from the state Department of Public Health and Environment comes amid months of tension between Polis and Democratic lawmakers, who have pushed for the restrictions, and Republicans who generally want businesses to operate with minimal restrictions.<\/p>\n

The measure \u2014 which includes two Republican sponsors \u2014 would allow counties to apply to tap into $37 million in relief provided by the legislature. The state would send the money to counties, which in turn would handle distributing up to $7,000 in one-time payments to eligible small businesses, like restaurants, bars, movie theaters and event venues. Counties under more severe coronavirus restrictions because of rising cases and hospitalizations would get priority in receiving the money.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not right. It\u2019s blackmail on the governor\u2019s part and Democrats\u2019 part,\u201d said Sen. John Cooke, a Weld County Republican, referring to the compliance clause. \u201cIt\u2019s not fair at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cooke said he stands by the decision of Weld County\u2019s commissioners. \u201cThey know what\u2019s more important for Weld County than the governor does,\u201d he said. \u201cThe governor hates Weld County.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sen. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, said the compliance clause is akin to totalitarianism.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t a bill intended to be a bill help small businesses as much as it is a bill to punish rebellious counties, to punish those that would challenge,\u201d he said. \u201cThis bill doesn\u2019t befit the state of Colorado. This bill befits the People\u2019s Republic of China.\u201d<\/p>\n

Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, criticized Republicans for objecting to the compliance clause. He said Gardner\u2019s remarks were offensive.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re operating basically normally, you probably don\u2019t need this money as much,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Tony Gagliardi, the Colorado state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses, said he\u2019s concerned about businesses in Weld County being unfairly blocked from accessing the aid through no fault of their own.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re penalizing the small businesses because of actions by the county commissioners that are out of their hands,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Weld County\u2019s five commissioners did not respond to messages seeking comment on Monday.<\/p>\n

Sen. Rob Woodward, a Loveland Republican, worried during a committee hearing on the legislation that counties may impose more stringent restrictions on their businesses in order to access the direct payments. \u201cAre we encouraging counties who are trying to chase money to keep their businesses afloat?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Sen. Kevin Priola, a Henderson Republican who is a sponsor of the direct-aid bill, said no.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s not nearly enough money to encourage municipalities or businesses around the state to elevate (their restrictions) just for running after this,\u201d Priola said.<\/p>\n

Winter, the lead sponsor, said the plan is to offer an amendment providing a carveout for businesses located in cities that comply with public health guidelines, even if they are in a county that refuses to do so. Those cities would be able to ask the state, rather than their county, to distribute the direct-aid dollars to them.<\/p>\n

Democrats are eyeing similar compliance clauses for other special-session coronavirus relief legislation.<\/p>\n

Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, said a bill to provide a four-month tax break to restaurants and bars should include a provision that requires business owners wishing to to participate in the sales tax relief plan to certify that they were in compliance with state and local public health.<\/p>\n

The state should \u201cprioritize businesses that are doing the right thing and protect public health,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Read more at The Colorado Sun<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported, journalist-owned news outlet exploring issues of statewide interest. Sign up for a newsletter and read more at coloradosun.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Read more at The Colorado Sun<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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