Governor Polis sets start for COVID-19 special session

DENVER (AP) - Colorado lawmakers will convene Nov. 30 in a special session to craft a relief package for businesses, restaurants, bars, child care providers, landlords, tenants, public school students and others suffering under the coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. Jared Polis set the date in an executive order issued late Thursday.

He also says he is seeking relief totaling between $300 million and $400 million.

He had earlier proposed a $220 million package. Polis wants lawmakers to adopt sales tax relief for many businesses and cultural venues affected by capacity limits.

Also on the agenda is funding for child-care providers, rental assistance, and expanded broadband and Wi-Fi internet access for students and teachers displaced from the classroom.

Friday, Gov. Polis gave an update on the state's response to the coronavirus. The governor said one in every fifty Coloradans is infected with the virus.