Durango, Colo. — (March 24, 2020) — The Southwest Colorado Disaster Assistance (SWCODA) activates in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health crisis. The mission of SWCODA is to share resources and raise awareness during emergencies, matching those who want to help with those in need of assistance.

Oftentimes community organizations can respond quickly and provide interim relief during times of crisis. SWCODA is a repository of resources and information that shares the many ways people can get assistance during this time, and how individuals and businesses can get involved and help.

SWCODA.org will provide up-to-date, accurate information and resources for all those impacted by this disaster for the following Southwest Colorado counties: La Plata, San Juan, Archuleta, Montezuma and Dolores. Community members and organizations are encouraged to share ideas and resources as the website and social media pages will be regularly updated.

A major function of SWCODA is to raise awareness and assist with fundraising efforts for the Community Emergency Relief Fund (CERF). This fund is set up for broad-based community emergencies in Southwest Colorado. CERF was established in 2008 in response to the Season’s Restaurant fire. It was also activated for the Gold King Mine spill in 2015, the Adobe Building fire in Pagosa Springs in 2016, the 416 Fire in 2018, and is now being activated in response to COVID-19.

“Donations are now being accepted to deploy funds to community-based organizations directly responding to the most vulnerable members of our community,” says Briggen Wrinkle, Executive Director of the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado. “An advisory committee of local stakeholders will determine impactful ways to distribute funds to serve the people who need it the most.”

One of the first initiatives of CERF funding in response to COVID is an innovative collaboration called “Save the Food, Serve the People,” working to resolve three problems at once. First, a statewide closure of restaurant dining rooms meant pounds of perishable food might go to waste. Second, those same closures meant dozens of restaurant workers had reduced income streams. Third, some of our area’s most vulnerable food insecure people were struggling to find meals. CERF funds were utilized to pay restaurant workers to turn big patches of perishables into soups and other dishes to feed local residents.

“This creative solution brought forward by the Good Food Collective and funded in part by CERF is an example of what an amazing community we live in and how great it is to work together to create solutions,” said Dave Woodruff, General Manager of El Moro and Durango Chapter President of the Colorado Restaurant Association.

Additional CERF funding will address housing insecurity and economic stimulus. “So much of our local economy relies on tourism dollars, and with much of the nation currently under shelter in place orders, many locals will struggle financially,” added Wrinkle.

“We look forward to a time, hopefully in the near future, when our town will be full of visitors enjoying all that Southwest Colorado has to offer,” said Rachel Brown, Executive Director of Visit Durango. “We anticipate our tourism economy will rebound once these vital precautionary measures have done their job in slowing the spread of COVID-19. We want all of our residents and our visitors to be safe and healthy.”

For more information contact:

·       MJ Carroll for swcoda.org website updates and info | 970.946.3891

·       Briggen Wrinkle | Community Foundation and CERF Fund | 970.375.5807

·       Dave Woodruff | Colorado Restaurant Association and local business| 970.903.2403

·       Rachel Brown | Visit Durango and traveler info | 970.235.0230

Regular updates:

Posted online at https://swcoda.org and through social media at www.facebook.com/swcoda/ and www.twitter.com/SouthwestColor1.

Donate to CERF

·       Online: Visit http://www.coloradogives.org/cerf

·       Mail: Send a check payable to the Community Foundation with CERF in the memo line to P.O. Box 1673, Durango, CO 81302

About SWCODA

The mission of SWCODA is to share resources and raise awareness during times of crisis or emergency situations, and help residents and businesses based in Southwest Colorado. A major function of SWCODA is to raise awareness and assist with fundraising efforts, including the Community Emergency Relief Fund (CERF). Please visit www.swcoda.org to get involved and learn more.