The last couple of weeks have brought many challenges as we work to adapt to the new normal that is our collective effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. As travel and tourism have ground to a halt, small businesses in many of our Gateway Communities have been hit especially hard. Many of you have reached out to us, asking how to provide support from afar to the communities you’ve come to love in previous visits to the CDT. These communities and small business owners are near and dear to our hearts here at CDTC, and any support you can provide is greatly appreciated. Below are some ideas of how you can help.
1. Donate to a Community Relief Fund
Many community foundations have an emergency fund to address local needs in times like this. The following community foundations serve CDT Gateway Communities and have allocated their emergency funds to COVID-19 relief for the foreseeable future:
Silver City, New Mexico: Grant County Community Foundation
Pagosa Springs, Colorado: Southwest Colorado Community Foundation Emergency Fund
Lake City, Colorado: Lake City Bucks Relief Fund
Leadville/Twin Lakes, Colorado: Lake County Community Relief Fund
Salida, Colorado: Chaffee County Community Foundation Emergency Fund or Now This is Love Auction for Small Businesses
Grand Lake, Colorado: Grand County Community Foundation Emergency Fund
Steamboat Springs, Colorado: Yampa Valley Community Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund
Pinedale, Wyoming: United Way of Southwest Wyoming Emergency Fund
Lemhi County, Idaho: Idaho Community Foundation for Eastern Idaho Emergency Fund
Lincoln, Montana: Helena Area Community Foundation Emergency Relief Fund
2. Buy a Gift Card to a Restaurant or Brewery
Restaurants, bars, and breweries along the CDT have been ordered to close or move to take-out and delivery only. Buying a gift card now that you can use for some delicious food on your next trip keeps the cash coming in now so they can stay afloat!
Revel – Silver City, New Mexico
Rio Chama Espresso – Chama, New Mexico
Mountain Pizza and Taproom – South Fork, CO
Sprockets at the 146 – Salida, CO
Soulcraft Brewery – Salida, CO
Moonlight Pizza and Brewpub – Salida, CO
Amica’s Pizza and Brewing – Salida, CO
Treeline Kitchen – Leadville, CO
Periodic Brewing – Leadville, CO
City on a Hill – Leadville, CO
Sagebrush BBQ and Grill – Grand Lake, CO
Cork on the Water – Grand Lake, CO
Squeaky B’s – Grand Lake, CO
Lulu City – Grand Lake, CO
Shop Local – Steamboat Springs, CO
Winona’s Restaurant and Bakery – Steamboat Springs, CO
Tahk Omakase Sushi – Steamboat Springs, CO
Wind River Brewing Company – Pinedale, WY
3. Gear Up for Your Next Adventure
If you’re dreaming of your next adventure, now’s a great time to purchase that gear you’ve been meaning to buy if you’re able. Some of the outfitters in CDT Gateway Communities sell online and will ship right to your door!
Pagosa Mountain Sports – Pagosa Springs, CO
Gila Hike and Bike – Silver City, NM
Morning Star Sports – Silver City, NM
Great Outdoor Shop – Pinedale, WY
Leadville Outdoors – Leadville, CO
Dan’s Fly Shop – Grand Lake, CO
Or, pick up some awesome prints and cards from Power & Light Press in Silver City, NM, to inspire your own quarantine art projects!
4. Support with Your Voice!
We understand that financially supporting these businesses may not be a reality for many of you right now as we navigate uncertain times. But you can still support small business owners in CDT Gateway Communities! Take some time to leave a 5-star review on Google or Yelp for one of your favorite businesses. Look them up on Facebook or Instagram and follow their pages to help them reach a wider audience – and consider making your own post about why you love that business and want folks to visit them when the time is right!
Know of another great small business in one of our Gateway Communities that offers gift cards and/or online sales? Email us at [email protected] and we’ll add them to the list!
