Stay in Game Day Shape – Be a Business Cheerleader

Over the weekend I posted on my Facebook page that I was energized by the fact that I got to put on my CSU Ram gear on Game Day. Yes, my wardrobe is filled with green and gold—but there is something special about getting ready to cheer on your team (even if it is from your living room).

As I got ready for Game Day, I was struck by the fact that we all have a role in being a cheerleader and a fan of business during these uncertain times.

I’m so proud of the work that our economic partners in the private industry and government have done over the last 10 months to support our entire business community. We’ve worked together to help business respond quickly to the pandemic by creating impactful programs and tools, increasing access to funding of all shapes and sizes, communicating key recovery messages, serving as a voice for business when local, state or federal policy didn’t make sense and kick starting conversations about re-igniting our economy. You might not know who the players are on this roster, but our regional economic partners are definitely a team that I encourage you to cheer for every day

Another “team” that I invite you to cheer for is all of our local and small retail-based businesses.  These restaurants, bars, breweries, theaters and smaller retailers have been hit the hardest by this economic downturn.  As well, they have faced continued uncertainty when it comes to regulation and the ability to open their doors. You can cheer for them by stopping by and placing an order or making a purchase and encouraging those in your network to do the same. I really don’t need a coffee treat everyday – but it feels pretty good to stop by my friends at FoCoDoCo, the Human Bean and others, and know that I’m helping them survive these crazy times.

The last team that I want to invite you to cheer for is those businesses that are participating in the new Level Up program and the amazing team that created this option for our community. The Level Up program provides us with the opportunity to recognize businesses that demonstrate compliance with public health guidelines and safety precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

I’m thrilled to say that we have over 270 businesses that have achieved Level Up status. Your Chamber not only helped to create the program, but also recognizes these Level Up businesses for their success. Several members of our Red Carpet Committee and our staff are out and about every day celebrating our Level Up businesses. And a special standing ovation for all the people that helped us create this program. A team with representatives from the Larimer County Health Department, the Cities of Loveland and Fort Collins, the Loveland, Estes Park and Fort Collins Area Chambers of Commerce and Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development worked alongside more than 20 business volunteers to create and execute this powerful program (all in a matter of about 15 days).  If anyone deserves their own cheer squad – it’s this team

I, like many of you, am longing for the day that we can cheer for our teams in person – but hope you will stay in Game Day shape by supporting business!


Written by Ann Hutchison, President & CEO
January 12, 2021

For comments and questions about this blog, please email Ann at [email protected].