State Recovery Officer Jim Raymond provides initial guidance on Colorado recovery from COVID-19. He shares information on action items.
State Recovery Task Force Action Items
Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic will take time and the environment is changing rapidly.Still there are actions you can take to begin your short-term recovery right now. The State Recovery Task Force has a list of action items to begin your community’s recovery process.
- Build a local recovery organization. Start by determining stakeholders, determine the decision-making process to keep the organization from getting stalled on issues where consensus is difficult to reach and determine funding priorities for the community.
- Instead of a damage assessment, conduct a survey of the challenges that lay ahead and build a list of action items for creating a roadmap to this new normal. What does return to normal mean for your community? This roadmap will be different for each community.
- Understand this will be a long recovery phase. Identify a lead recovery manager and build a communication plan to provide timely messaging as the community adapts to upcoming changes. What has the community learned and what would it do differently. Continue to prepare for other emergencies and natural disasters that will continue to occur.
- Stay informed with the recent changes to programs important to your community. Make sure you’re familiar with the Governor's executive orders. Keep in contact with your local emergency operations center. Regularly visit State websites that contain a wealth of information. Stay in contact with your DOLA Regional Manager or DHSEM Regional Field Manager.
- Determine your agency’s point of contact for cost recovery. Attend a FEMA / State Applicant Briefing. Other cost recovery programs are coming on-line and this environment is changing rapidly. Build a strong administrative function and record-keeping process.
- Colorado is dependent on our small businesses and tourism. Guide small businesses to Colorado OEDIT for information on loans, debt relief, alternative funding, and tourism help. Businesses can access SBA assistance at ChooseColorado.com.
- Plan for behavioral health resources in your community, especially for first responders, health care workers, and government employees. A good place to start is Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255.
- Help agricultural producers maintain the viability of the farm to market supply chain. Connect producers with USDA service centers for help. CSU Extension has a variety of information for rural (and urban) Colorado families. Keep agriculture moving.
- Individuals can get connected and find answers to many questions by calling 2-1-1 Colorado or visiting www.211colorado.org
- Colorado has a strong volunteer spirit. Engage with your voluntary organizations and encourage people to volunteer at helpcoloradonow.org.
View the Colorado Recovery Update video on Youtube to access closed captions.