Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP loans on Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP…
Last night, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued new guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in the form of two interim final rules (IFRs). The first interim final rule amends existing PPP rules to reflect changes in the recently enacted Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, including on fees, borrower eligibility, loan…
Cattle feeding pioneer Dr. John Matsushima celebrated his 100th birthday on December 24, 2020. The Colorado Livestock Association and the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association presented him with a crystal in recognition of the many years he has dedicated to the advancement of the cattle industry. “If his globally recognized accomplishments weren’t enough, Dr. Matsushima is doing something…
Recruiting and retaining qualified agricultural labor is an ongoing concern for many Colorado farmers and ranchers. This issue is complex and factors such as job market competition, lack of interest in manual labor jobs, wages, affordable housing, and H-2A policy combine to create the current situation. Lack of accurate data from agricultural employers is another…
Until last week, it was assumed that the Paid Sick Leave and Supplemental Leave provisions of the Colorado Healthy Families & Workplaces Act (“HFWA”) would not apply to small employers – those with less than 16 employees – until January 21, 2022. “Supplemental Leave” is up to 80 hours of paid leave available to employees…
Dairy MAX, in conjunction with Colorado Livestock Association (CLA), presents a webinar featuring industry experts Dr. Frank Mitloehner, Professor and Air Quality Extension Specialist at University of California, Davis, and Dr. Mark Stephenson, Director of Dairy Policy Analysis at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Join us January 27, 2021 from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. CST /…
The 2020 Special Session of the State Legislature began and ended this last week, within a 3 day period. Below are the 10 bills that passed and have been or will be signed by the Governor. The special session was also used as a dry run to see how smoothly the expanded and wider use…
Recruiting and retaining qualified agricultural labor is an ongoing concern for many Colorado farmers and ranchers. This issue is complex and factors such as job market competition, lack of interest in manual labor jobs, wages, affordable housing, and H-2A policy combine to create the current situation. Lack of accurate data from agricultural employers is another…
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced an extension to the Hours-of-Service Emergency Declaration, until February 28, 2021. This declaration includes: Livestock and livestock feed. FMCSA has informed us that the relief is only available to transporters of finished feed. Transporters of feed ingredients are ineligible. Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing,…
Friends of Colorado Agriculture, Applications are currently being accepted by the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions for numerous state advisory roles, including for upcoming positions on the Colorado Agricultural Commission. For all boards and commissions, we strongly encourage interested parties to apply at any time. For the upcoming Ag Commission seats, I encourage you…