Arapahoe County is extending a Small Business Relief Fund to help support small businesses during the circumstances brought by COVID-19. The State of Colorado authorized legislation SB20B-001 to disperse more than $50 million to struggling small businesses across Arapahoe County. The relief fund is intended to provide relief for small businesses such as restaurants, bars, gyms, recreation centers, movie theaters, and caterers. In order to be eligible for these payments, small businesses must show a minimum of a 20% loss in revenue compared to receipts from 2019 or be opened between January 1, 2020 and March 26, 2020.  

Payments are awarded in tiers according to revenue recorded on business receipts. Tier one consists of businesses with receipts of less than $500,000, subject to a maximum payment of $3,500. Tier two made up of businesses with receipts between $500,000 and $1 million, eligible for a payment of up to $5,000. Tier three covers businesses with receipts between $1 million and $2.5 million, with payments up to $7,000. Businesses in tier one are prioritized to receive their relief funds first.