Colorado COVID relief fund raises nearly $23 million — and goes offline

A statewide relief fund for those in need because of the coronavirus pandemic raised nearly $23 million since March — and is now offline.

The Colorado COVID Relief Fund website says contributions aren’t currently being accepted. A statement on the site says “more than 12,000 generous Coloradans have stepped up to support our neighbors at times of greatest need.” It gives an email address for people who want to continue contributing to relief efforts.

Another site says applications for funding are closed and that there are no plans to reopen the relief fund for future applications. It includes a link to a list of other resources, https://helpcoloradonow.org/covid_relief-fund/.

“The 7th round of grants have been distributed from a grant cycle of November 12th to December 3rd, and conversations are underway with the philanthropic community and the Legislature about the best way to sustain support for Coloradans for the recovery phase of the pandemic in a more permanent infrastructure, so this will likely be our last round,” Elizabeth Kosar, a spokeswoman for Gov. Jared Polis, said in an email Tuesday.

The relief fund was started in March with $2.8 million. At the time, Polis said the money would go toward medical supplies, volunteer services, nursing home and homeless shelter staffing, cleaning supplies and helping struggling workers, families and small businesses to help “weather the storm” of coronavirus.

During a special session in December, Colorado lawmakers approved 10 bills and more than $300 million in spending for COVID-19 relief. The measures include money for grants to food banks and pantries, help for child care providers, small businesses, nonprofits and a program to increase broadband access for students and staff to enable remote learning.

 

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