On May 11, 2023, the federal public health emergency expired. These orders and guidelines are no longer in effect, but are archived here for historical purposes.
In response to the challenges that Thornton businesses have faced under the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the City of Thornton created the Alliance/Alianza Business Assistance Center.
The Alliance offers the following FREE services to local small businesses and home-based workers in Adams County:
business counseling, mentorship and resources- office space (for work and meetings)
- in-person and virtual workshops (in English and Spanish)
- use of wifi, Zoom and Go to Meeting capabilities and 20 laptops onsite
- flat-screen monitors linked to cameras
- marketing support
- grant-writing support
- business site selection
- local demographic data reports
The Alliance provides a sanitized and monitored environment for its staff and visitors that include four different work areas with multiple desks (with plexiglass dividers). All work and meeting spaces are laid out to ensure social distancing and the staff uses sign-in forms and temperature checks for additional safety. Masks are required for anyone in the Alliance space and hand sanitizer is provided for visitors.
What Level Red means for local businesses
The Tri-County Health Department has placed Adams County in Level Red restrictions through December 17, 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The metrics used to determine this severe risk category include:
- New COVID-19 cases are at an incidence of greater than 350 per 100,000 in a two-week period
- The percent of positive results over a rolling 14-day average is greater than 15%
- Hospitalization rates are increasing in the preceding 14-day period
On December 18, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will review the COVID-19 data to make determinations for the next level of restrictions.
Between now and December 17, 2020, the following restrictions apply to local businesses:
- Non-critical office-based businesses: In-person work up to 10% of their posted occupancy limit; remote work is strongly encouraged
- Critical and non-critical retail: Operations are allowed at 50% of the posted occupancy limit; enhanced offerings should include options for curbside pickup, delivery, and dedicated service hours for senior and at-risk individuals
- Non-critical manufacturing: Operations at 25% of the posted occupancy limit not to exceed 50 people, whichever is less, per room
- Field services (not necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and critical operation of residences and other critical business or critical government functions: closed
- Real estate services: Individual showings are authorized; open houses are prohibited
- Personal services: Operations at 25% of the posted occupancy limit not to exceed 25 people, whichever is less, per room
- Limited healthcare settings: Operations at 25% of the posted occupancy limit not to exceed 25 people, whichever is less, per room
- Restaurants: closed for in-person indoor dining; may offer curbside, takeout and delivery; may use existing, licensed outdoor space for in-person outdoor dining with tables limited to members of the same household and minimum spacing of 6 feet apart; no alcohol sold between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. daily; takeout may continue until 10 p.m.
- Gyms, rec centers and indoor pools: May operate at 10% capacity, not to exceed 10 people, whichever is less; excluding staff per room indoors; Reservations required for all indoor and outdoor services
- Indoor/outdoor events: Although indoor events are closed, outdoor events may operate at 25% of the post occupancy limit not to exceed 75 people excluding staff, whichever is less, within their usable space calculated using the Distancing Space Calculator per designated activity or area. If the event is a seated event, the usable space may be calculated using 6-foot distancing between non-household contacts instead of using the calculator. Two or more individuals attending an outdoor event together must be members of the same household and shall maintain 6-foot distancing from attendees who are not household members.
For more information on COVID-19 public health orders or to learn more about the status dial, visit the Adams County Health Department website.
To reach the Alliance/Alianza Business Assistance Center:
- In person: The Alliance is located at 550 E. Thornton Pkwy., Suite 170 in Thornton from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- By phone: Call (720)674-3547 with questions or to make an appointment.
- By email: Email alliance@ThorntonCO.gov with questions or to make appointment.
- Online: Visit https://businessinthornton.com/local-business/alliance-alianza-business-assistance-center/ to see a video about the Alliance’s free offerings and a list of free workshops.