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In Leadville, coronavirus closures expose economy inequity

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LEADVILLE, Colo. (AP) — Leadville and other Colorado tourist-reliant mountain communities were hit hard by the coronavirus-caused closure of ski resorts and travel restrictions.

Colorado Public Radio reports that because of long-standing economic inequities rooted in immigration status, that pain has been especially acute in nearby mobile home parks that are home to many of the room cleaners, restaurant cooks and construction workers who make the tourism industry possible.

Many of the mobile home parks’ undocumented immigrants are not eligible for state and federal relief programs like food stamps and unemployment. So local governments and nonprofits are trying to scrape together money and donations to keep those families afloat.