Senate approves four COVID relief bills to help struggling Colorado families and busineses

DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) – On Tuesday, the second day of Colorado's special session, Colorado Senate Democrats released a statement stating that the Senate passed four critical pieces of legislation specifically designed to address Colorado's struggling families and small businesses.

According to the release, the bi-partisan, co-sponsored bills were designed to give urgent relief to small businesses and offer direct aid for housing, utility, and operational costs burdening Coloradans who have been most affected by COVID-19.

SB20B-001, COVID-19 Relief Small And Minority Businesses Arts Organizations, will send $57 million in direct aid, grants, and annual fee waivers to struggling small businesses – prioritizing those operating in counties experiencing severe capacity restrictions. It will also create grant programs and allocate funds specifically for art and cultural organizations as well as minority-owned businesses. The bill was sponsored by Senators Faith Winter (D-Westminster) and Kevin Priola (R-Henderson). It

SB20B-002 Housing And Direct COVID Emergency Assistance, provides sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales (D-Denver) and Chris Holbert (R-Parker), provides $50 million for emergency housing assistance to individuals and households who are in financial need due to COVID-19. $500,000 was set aside to support the Eviction Legal Assistance Fund, which will help Coloradans stay in their homes this winter.

SB20B-003 Money For Energy Utility Bill Payment Assistance, appropriates $5 million to the Energy Outreach Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund in order to provide financial relief to Coloradans struggling to pay utility bills The bill was sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) and Larry Crowder (R-Alamosa),

SB20B-004 Transfer To Make Money Available For COVID-19 Emergency, gives an additional $100 million to ensure the state can continue to protect public health while waiting for further federal stimulus and reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  The bill was sponsored by Senator Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City).

For more information, you can visit the Colorado General Assembly's website.