Who doesn’t love the adventurous and outdoorsy vibe that defines Colorado? This great state is a wonderful place to live—and is home to hundreds of thousands of businesses. In fact, small businesses make up over 99% of all Colorado businesses. If you are a business owner in Colorado, and you’re looking for funding, there are plenty of options. Peruse these business grants and loans—that are only available to Colorado businesses—and discover whether you’re eligible.
Department or Agency: CLIMBER Loan Fund
Loan or Grant title: CLIMBER Small Business Loan
CLIMBER stands for Colorado Loans to Increase Mainstreet Business Economic Recovery. Colorado small businesses with 1-99 employees that were financially stable before the pandemic are eligible to apply for this state-wide loan, which provides working capital funds between $10,000 and $500,000.
Department or Agency: Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
Loan or Grant title: Business Foundation Technical Assistance Program
This loan program provides small grants and technical assistance to help local small businesses with awards of up to $1,200 per company. Any Colorado small business is eligible to apply. Three required training paths—legal formation and registration, accounting and finance, and digital marketing and e-commerce, are required to be completed to be considered for the funding.
Department or Agency: Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
Loan or Grant title: Cannabis Business Loan
In partnership with NuProject, Colorado’s Cannabis Business Office is making lending capital accessible to cannabis businesses. This type of loan is not commonly provided by traditional lenders, which is what makes it so unique. Loan amounts range from $50,000 to $150,000 and can be used for working capital, equipment, and location expansion or renovations. This loan is a revolving loan fund, meaning that as loans are repaid the money will go back toward funding more cannabis businesses. Among other qualifications, applicants must operate a licensed cannabis business, have an active social equity license in Colorado, and have ownership of at least 51% of the business.
Department or Agency: Colorado Enterprise Fund
Loan or Grant title: Black Business Loan Fund
Loans for the Black Business Loan Fund are made between $1,000 to $50,000 for start-ups and existing businesses in an effort to provide black business owners with access to capital.
Department or Agency: Colorado Enterprise Fund
Loan or Grant title: Valor Loan Program
Veterans looking to start or grow a business in Colorado may be eligible to apply to the Valor Loan Program, which awards funds between $5,000 and $500,000 for working capital, inventory, and other business expenses.
Department or Agency: Colorado Enterprise Fund
Loan or Grant title: Creative Industries loan
From performing and visual arts to salons and music, the Colorado Enterprise Fund supports small businesses in the creative industries. Eligible applicants may receive between $1,000 and $1 million in loan funds to use for working capital, equipment, property improvements, inventory, and more.
Department or Agency: Community Development Block Grant Business Loan
Loan or Grant Community Development Block Grant Business Loan
Loans between $10,000 and $150,000 can be used to start, expand, or stabilize an existing business. Colorado businesses with five or fewer employees may apply. Businesses need to create or maintain at least one job for every $20,000 awarded.
Department or Agency: b:side fund
Loan or Grant: Small Business Loans
B:side fund’s loan program provides Colorado small businesses with loans between $10,000 to $5.5 million for use toward working capital, business acquisition, renovations, debt refinance, equipment, and more. Businesses from all industries are eligible to apply.
Department or Agency: CEDS Financing
Loan or Grant: Interest-Based Small Business Loans
Start-ups and businesses in the Denver metro area are eligible to apply for the Interest-Based Small Business Loan program, which requires over $5,000 in owners’ equity. Loan amounts are made up to $100,000.
Department or Agency: CEDS Financing
Loan or Grant: Small Business Murabahah – Islamic Compliant Debt
This Small Business Murabahah program follows an Islamic financing structure in which the borrower pays a fee (instead of interest), along with the principal. Loans up to $100,000 are available for businesses and start-ups in Colorado.
Department or Agency: Lendistry
Loan or Grant: Colorado Startup Loan Fund
The Colorado Startup Loan Fund makes funds accessible for underserved businesses in the state of Colorado. The purpose of this program is to help start-ups and businesses grow with working capital loans between $50,000 and $150,000. Eligible businesses have fewer than 25 employees and up to $2 million in annual gross revenue, among other qualifications.
Department or Agency: Town of Monument, Colorado
Loan or Grant: Monument Capital Project Grant
Monument, Colorado, is providing reimbursements up to 50% (or $2,500) for businesses to upgrade their public-facing appearance. Funds can be used toward upgrades to building facades, storefront entrances, gutters, outside lighting, fencing, landscaping, bike racks, and more. Commercial businesses within the town limits of Monument may be eligible to apply.
Department or Agency: Town of Monument, Colorado
Loan or Grant: Small Business Scholarship Program
Monument, Colorado, is providing reimbursements of up to 50% (or $300) to licensed home-based businesses for business training expenses. Eligible businesses must have fewer than 25 employees and operate within the town of Monument, Colorado.
Department or Agency: Town of Silverthorne, Colorado
Loan or Grant: Business Improvement Grant Program
The Town of Silverthorne’s grant program awards amounts up to $10,000 for site enhancements that will help improve the town’s image. Lighting, landscaping, parking lots, signage and more are included in potential funded upgrades. Buildings are eligible if they are in commercially-zoned areas and proposed projects must meet all town building codes.
Department or Agency: City of Englewood
Loan or Grant: Business Initiation Grant
The City of Englewood’s Business Initiation Grant was created to support the growth of new businesses. Local businesses may be eligible to receive up to $2,500 if they have been in business for at least 12 months and have participated in a pre-approved business planning workshop.
Department or Agency: City of Englewood
Loan or Grant: Business Acceleration Grant
The City of Englewood’s businesses may be eligible for a Business Acceleration Grant of up to $10,000 if they have a commercial location and at least two years left on their lease. Funds can be put toward business expansion, improving operations, and business retention expenses.
