Ways To Help Locally During Covid-19

Most recent update: Monday, December 14, 2020

The world is facing a sudden and unprecedented crisis in the form of the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic. The virus has spread to nearly all corners of the globe, including here in the Roaring Fork Valley — forcing the closure of mountain operations on all four mountains, shutting hotels and restaurants, and disrupting life in nearly every way.

But one thing this virus cannot disrupt is our desire to look after each other: To volunteer in the safest and most impactful way. To donate what we can. To support local businesses who are suddenly on the verge of disappearing.

This situation is constantly evolving, but we want to share with you our resources to connect you with organizations and businesses in the valley that need your help today. Below is a running list of opportunities to volunteer (and more importantly, how), as well as organizations accepting donations and what exactly they need, and local businesses that are providing essential services to the fabric of our community that could use your support.

If you know of an opportunity that is not on our list, please contact Hannah Berman at hberman@aspensnowmass.com and we will update it as soon as possible. We are all in this together! #AspenTogether

Caring for Community Fund

Caring For Community Fund is collecting donations to support local nonprofits that need your help during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Any contributions made through December 31, 2020 will be matched by the Aspen Skiing Company Family Fund at the Aspen Community Foundation, up to $250,000, and 100% of those funds will be distributed to organizations providing access to food, internet, safe housing, rent and financial assistance.

Donate

Restaurants

Because of this pandemic, one of the hardest hit sectors of the economy in Colorado is restaurants. By order of the Governor of Colorado, all restaurants were forced to cease in-restaurant dining operations in mid-March, shifting their business (if even possible) entirely to take out.

There are two ways you can support your favorite local establishment at this time: You can buy a gift card or gift certificate for future use to help them with cash flow in the interim, or you can order a take-out meal or delivery. Our friends at EatAspen.com have compiled these handy and up-to-date lists of who is still serving take-out and who has closed early for the season.

• Aspen Restaurants
• Snowmass Restaurants
• Basalt Restaurants
• Carbondale Restaurants
• Glenwood Springs Restaurants

Remember: maintain social distancing of 6 feet from person to person, and sanitize your hands before and after picking up your take-out order.

Local Stores

Many of the Roaring Fork Valley's stores are finding themselves in tough times as a result of the current situation as well. Those that are staying open are doing so with an abundance of caution toward health safety, and could use the revenue now from local residents so they can stay open in the months ahead. Click here for a lift of all essential business open in the Aspen area.
Outdoor Gear Shops
Whether its prepping your skis or snowboard for storage, getting your mountain bike tuned up and ready for when the snow melts, or looking for an uphill set up outdoor gear shops in the Roaring Fork Valley are adapting to serve your needs. Below is a list of shops that have modified their operations to stay open:

• Cripple Creek Backcountry
• Basalt Ski and Bike
• Bristlecone Mountain Sports
• Hub of Aspen
• Ute Mountaineering

Call ahead before visiting to learn how each store is maintaining social distance, about their store protocol as it is differs than normal operations and what shopping and service options they have during this time.

Carbondale Neighbor to Neighbor

Get paired with a neighbor to help them get groceries, run errands, or just check in. Neighbors ask for what they need and you can offer what you have.
Contact: Ashley Weitzl, ashley@yogaash.com
When: Ongoing
**If you need help, ask for it here.
Sign up here

Food Bank of the Rockies

Make snacks, pull orders for families in need, inspect and clean items.
Contact: Kim Halladay, 970-464-1138
When: Every weekday, 8am–noon; 1pm–4pm
Volunteers Needed: Any number
Sign up here

Hunger Relief Organizations in Garfield County

Help with client intake, packing food, loading food, and traffic control for different meal and food banks from Carbondale to Parachute. Meal Monkey mobile lunches for kids in Garfield Re-2, LIFT-UP and/or senior meals.
Contact: 970-456-2804
When: Weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2pm at locations from Carbondale to Parachute
Sign up here: Garfield County Volunteers

A Little Help

Community volunteers to grocery shop and pick-up prescriptions for older adults in the valley and deliver them, care calls to combat social isolation, snow shoveling.
Contact: 970-404-1923
When: Weekly calls to older adults, flexible timing to help with grocery or prescription runs
Volunteers Needed: Up to 20 (Glenwood Springs through Aspen, matched locally)

Aspen Valley Hospital and Medical Response Teams

Medical volunteers needed in event of a surge in patients. Ski Patrol and other EMT/Paramedic certified folks, this is a good option for you. In an effort to combine resources on a local and state level, we’ve teamed up with CDPHE to register, track and manage the many talented and skillful community members offering their time in one easily accessible database. Should you still be interested in volunteering during the COVID-19 outbreak, in any capacity, please register using the relevant links. By registering your name and credentials, you will be added into a statewide system that can be assessed or accessed by all the various local agencies that might need help in some capacity.

Register here to Volunteer for the Colorado Medical Reserve Corp.

Register here to Volunteer for General, Non-Clinical Opportunities with the State.

The Pitkin Country community has come together like never before. If you need help, the following organizations and meeting points are good to know about.

Food Drives

Twofood drive locations are available throughout the Roaring Fork Valley for anyone who needs assistance with food security:
Aspen Site
Aspen Chapel, 77 Meadowood Dr., Aspen, CO 81611
Weekly: Wednesdays, noon to 2pm
• For all residents, regardless of age, other status.

Basalt Site
Crown Mountain Park, 20 Eagle County Dr., El Jebel, CO 81623
Weekly: Thursdays, noon to 2pm
• For all residents, regardless of age, other status.