Arapahoe County Unveils CARES Act Relief Plan

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, CO — The Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners has approved the distribution of $114.5 million in funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. The funds will be used to help communities recover from the pandemic.

County officials will monitor and distribute the CARES Act funds "with a commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency," commissioners said.

The $114.5 million will help advance the Arapahoe County Response and Recovery Plan, which includes:

• Supporting the economic recovery of county residents and businesses 
• Protecting the health and well-being of county and municipal employees 
• Increasing access to effective and efficient antibody testing methods
• Supporting the county’s most vulnerable residents 
• Educating residents about personal responsibility, situational awareness, and preventive actions such as continued social distancing, avoidance of large gatherings, and support for high-risk populations to remain in safe environments
• Establishing data-driven decision-making models to assess public health, hospital surge and capacity, and economic success
• Funding direct COVID-19 costs in a manner that minimizes county liability, and recognizes multiple grant streams and funding opportunities 

“We recognize that the COVID-19 public health crisis has affected all our residents, businesses and communities in a variety of ways,” Arapahoe County Board Chair Nancy Sharpe said in a statement.

“This crisis, and the recovery from it, are not uniform situations, so we wanted to let our constituents target this direct relief as they see fit. County officials will work closely with all our partners to help ensure that our communities can return as quickly and strongly as possible.”

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The county will share $51.5 million with its 13 communities according to population. The 96,125 residents within unincorporated Arapahoe County will be supported by the county’s share of the CARES funds, commissioners said.

Littleton will receive $4,199,211, the allocation data shows. Aurora, which accounts for nearly 60 percent of the county's population, will receive $30,125,545.

>> A full breakdown of funds each municipality will receive can be found here.

Commissioners said the county will use its share of the CARES Act funds — around $63 million—to fund the following initiatives:

• Countywide programs to support people and businesses impacted by COVID-19
• Increased community testing, contact tracing and other public health needs
• Future pandemic preparations
• Modifications to county operations and employee costs
• Additional local government needs that exceed initial allocations