The Best Business Grants in Colorado

CO Office of Economic Development

The Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant helps Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses develop and commercialize advanced technologies that will be created or manufactured in Colorado. Projects can receive up to $250,000. This grant award maximum can be lifted for projects that impact more than one advanced industry.

The market typically under-invests in early-stage technologies. The grant’s goal is to fill the gap left by the market. The grant is not meant to compete with existing funding.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$250,000

CO Office of Economic Development

The Rural Jump-Start Program is a collaborative effort by the state, local governments, Institutes of Higher Education (IHE), and economic development organizations (EDO) to incentivize new businesses to start in or move to rural, economically distressed counties in Colorado, which are referred to as Rural Jump-Start zones, and hire new employees.

Rural Jump-Start began in 2016 as a tax incentive program for businesses located in a Rural Jump-Start zone, and in 2021 a grant program was created. If you are a business interested in participating in this program, please review all program qualifications, discussed in greater detail under the Business Eligibility section below, before applying.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$25,000

CO Office of Economic Development

The Strategic Fund Job Growth Incentive is for business expansion or relocation projects for which Colorado is in competition with at least one other state and the company has received a commitment of local government funding that matches any requested state government incentives. The incentive provides a cash payment over five years to companies that create and maintain new permanent jobs in Colorado.

Your business may not start or announce the proposed project in Colorado until your business submits a final application to Global Business Development and the Colorado Economic Development Commission approves the application.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$50,000

City of Denver

The Certifiably Green Denver Mini Grant provides Denver small businesses and nonprofits with up to $10,000 in upfront funding for sustainability projects that reduce environmental impact and lower operational costs. Administered by the City and County of Denver's Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency through its Certifiably Green Denver program, the grant supports a wide range of projects including energy-efficient appliances and equipment, renewable energy investments, water conservation upgrades, waste reduction initiatives, sustainable transportation amenities like bike racks, and employee sustainability training. Eligible applicants must meet U.S. Small Business Administration size standards, hold an active TIN or EIN, be registered with the State of Colorado, and operate from a physical brick-and-mortar location in the City and County of Denver. Home-based businesses and food trucks are not eligible. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with awards made monthly, and preference is given to businesses located in a Denver Neighborhood Equity and Stabilization (NEST) neighborhood. Since 2022, the program has awarded over $750,000 to more than 100 small businesses.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$10,000

State of Colorado

The Advanced Industries Export Grant helps Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses who want to export or are currently exporting. This grant is for small- and medium-sized businesses. It reimburses for international business development and marketing costs. Businesses can apply for up to $15,000 and up to 50% of the approved expenses.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$15,000

City of Colorado Springs

The City of Colorado Springs has multiple grants available for development in their Downtown corridor. Elligible businesses can receive $10,000 - $50,000 as reimbursement for construction and/or improvement costs to downtown buildings.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$50,000

City of Denver

The Denver Business Impact Opportunity (BIO) Fund provides Denver small businesses with grants of up to $15,000 plus technical assistance to help them remain operational during disruption from specified city-funded construction projects. Administered by Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO), the program offers both direct grant funding and one-on-one business support to help impacted businesses navigate revenue loss, supply chain disruptions, and other operational challenges caused by major infrastructure work in their corridor. The BIO Fund is geographically targeted, with each funding round focused on businesses located within specific construction-impacted areas of the city (recent rounds have supported businesses along the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit and West Colfax Pedestrian Crossing & Transit Improvements project corridors). Eligibility criteria typically include operating a brick-and-mortar small business within the designated impact zone, demonstrating revenue loss or operational impacts tied to the construction work, and meeting standard licensing and tax compliance requirements. The program is one of only a handful of municipal initiatives nationwide that provides direct grant assistance to businesses affected by city-funded construction.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$15,000

Renew Denver

The Community STAND program is a grant initiative from the Denver Urban Renewal Authority designed to support the small businesses, nonprofits and Business Improvement Districts that help anchor Denver’s neighborhoods. Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000.

C-STAND supports projects that help community-serving organizations remain anchored in their neighborhoods while strengthening the existing community fabric. Grant funding may be used for a variety of eligible project costs that support stabilization, long-term presence and positive community impact.

Supported projects may include physical improvements, equipment purchases, costs associated with securing or owning space and other investments that enhance an organization’s ability to serve its community. DURA is open to creative proposals and encourages applicants to share how their project supports neighborhood stability, preserves community culture and advances the goals of the C-STAND program.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$50,000

City of Englewood

The Business Acceleration Grant supports existing businesses and provides funding assistance that allows for the expansion or improved operation of qualified Englewood businesses. The grant offers up to $10,000 for physical/capital investments that support expanding businesses, improve business operations, or foster business retention. Capital improvements are permanent investments in the building or on the property, which are generally associated with a building permit.

Businesses open in Englewood for a minimum of two years are eligible to apply. Businesses that apply for funding assistance must either own their building or if the business is a tenant have a minimum of two years remaining on a lease for eligibility. Successful grant applications should demonstrate that funding will yield an increase in the number of employees at the business or an increase in sales revenues.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$10,000

City of Englewood

The Business Initiation Grant provides qualifying, new business startups with a "leg up" at their most critical time. The grant offers up to $5,000 for startup costs to qualified applicants. The entrepreneur is required to participate in a business planning workshop through one of Englewood's economic partners. The business owner must have a fully developed business plan which will be reviewed by the experts at the Aurora-South Small Business Development Center. Grant funding may be used for any valid purpose and a physical storefront or business presence in a commercial or industrial district is required. Capital improvements are permanent investments in the building or on the property, which are generally associated with a building permit.

Businesses opened in Englewood within the last 12 months are eligible to apply. Grant funding is limited, and not all businesses that apply may be funded.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$5,000

Larimer County

Employee retention is one of the biggest challenges for small businesses today. Larimer County’s LIGHTR Grant may it easier to keep your staff engaged by funding their professional development.

Apply for up to $3,000 in grand funding per business, to:

Fill skill gaps in your current workforce.
Upskill staff to move into key leadership positions.
Cover the costs of industry-recognized certifications.

This partnership between Larimer County and the City of Fort Collins is designed specifically for small businesses (2-50 employees).

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$3,000

Town of Silverthorne

The Business Grant Program provides site enhancement grants and economic development grants to businesses via a competitive application review process.

-Business grant applications open annually in January for a six week application window
-Grants are awarded in amounts up to $10,000
-Applications in excess of $10,000 may be considered for projects that provide exceptional benefit

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$10,000

Colorado Community College System

The Skill Advance Colorado Job Training Grant helps businesses and nonprofits create customized job training for employees.

The Colorado First (CF) Job Training Program provides funds for net new hire training and focuses on new and expanding businesses in Colorado with a need to train workers with the skills necessary to increase their productivity, to increase their wages, and to reduce their need for public support.

The Existing Industry (EI) Job Training Program provides funding for incumbent worker training and supports established Colorado businesses with adapting to new technology and preventing layoffs.

Per learner maximum annual funding (based on total training funds approved factored against number of unduplicated learners): Standard CF and EI Grants: CF - $2,800, EI - $2,500 / CF and EI Mini Grants for Micro Businesses: CF - $3,800, EI - $3,500

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$150,000

City of Westminster

The city of Westminster, CO has multiple grant programs available for small businesses. These include training grants of $500-$5,000 for both employees and entrepreneurs for classrom and on-the-job training. They also have multiple improvement grants which reimburse business expenses spent on sustainability and facade upgrades.

These programs are updated regularly so follow our link to the grant page for details on the current offerings.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$5,000

Chaffee County Community Foundation

The Enterprise Growth Grants pilot will make up to $35,000 available to for-profit local small businesses, with individual awards expected to range from $1,000 to $25,000. Funding is intended to support projects tied to the economic vitality of Chaffee County (jobs, services, etc.) that are facing financial barriers to growth. An ideal grantee is one who is operating a thriving small, local business that has an opportunity for significant growth in services.

$ GRANT AMOUNT

$35,000