A Boulder cannabis company donated $30,000 to the city’s music venues to combat economic hardships from COVID-19, the company announced Wednesday.

Terrapin, a nationally-operated Boulder-based company, aims to preserve Boulder venues like Fox Theatre and Boulder Theater that have been forced to close during the pandemic.

“As an ‘essential’ business allowed to stay open during the pandemic, we have a duty to step up for those in the community struggling due to unforeseen circumstances related to COVID,” said Chris Woods, owner and CEO of Terrapin.

“It would be devastating to see these venues shutter permanently, so we are following through with our commitment to lift our community up during this uncertain time.”

Terrapin hired a dozen laid-off Fox Theatre and Boulder Theatre employees to work security for its Colorado operations in May.

The company calls the $30,000 donation a “second step” in supporting local concert scenes.

“Working for Terrapin has really been a lifeline for me,” said former Z2 employee Hannah Slape. “They’re really trying to help us out, and it’s a win-win because of the close relationship between Terrapin and Z2.”

Terrapin has had business relationships with the non-profit Colorado Music Experience (CoME) and Z2 Entertainment, which owns the Fox and Boulder theaters, for years.

The $30,000 donation was made directly to CoME, which distributed $25,000 to Z2 for relief for the Fox and Boulder theaters. The additional $5,000 serves as funding for the nonprofit.

“Iconic venues such as the Fox Theatre and Boulder Theater have been fixtures in our musical community’s ecosystem, but they have been uniquely affected in the pandemic,” said CoME founder G. Brown.

“Terrapin’s help and generosity provide a vital lifeline, supporting and fortifying their industry.”