Business Funding and Incentives

The Colorado Venture Capital Authority (VCA) supports access to venture capital for Colorado's entrepreneurs and startup businesses. The VCA is a political subdivision of the state and a Special Purpose Authority like the Public Employees' Retirement Association. The VCA is governed by a board of directors that partners with professional fund managers to deploy its capital and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) staff provides administrative support to the VCA.

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed The American Rescue Plan Act, which provided $10 billion to the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). SSBCI will fund state, territory, and Tribal government credit support and investment programs for small businesses. Colorado was allocated $76 million for these purposes.

DENVER, CO – The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC) announces grants of $25,000 and $50,000 are available starting August 19 through the Economic Development Organization Recovery Grant to support organizational capacity for economic development organizations and bolster our economic recovery.

Expo provides the opportunity to showcase Colorado projects to potential investors

DENVER -- The National Opportunity Zone Expo will take place in Denver, July 15 to 16. Governor Jared Polis will be the featured keynote speaker on July 15 and Colorado Opportunity Zone Program Director Mike Landes will also be presenting. This event is the industry's largest conference dedicated to Opportunity Zone (OZ) stakeholders.

DENVER -- The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) partnered with state legislators to pass 12 bills that will infuse $228 million into Colorado’s economic recovery efforts. 

COLORADO - Today, the Colorado Department of the Treasury, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), and Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) launched the Colorado Loans for Increasing Mainstreet Business and Economic Recovery (CLIMBER). CLIMBER is a statewide loan fund that will provide up to $250 million in working capital to Colorado small businesses through 2023. 

Fading West Development is building a new 110,000 square foot home construction factory in the heart of the Arkansas River Valley with the mission of providing attainable housing throughout the western United States and increasing employment in Chaffee County Colorado. 

When fully operational, the production facility is expected to create over 700 homes, townhomes and apartments each year, addressing the nationwide housing shortage while creating more than 100 well-paying jobs in the Buena Vista community. 

Funds available on January 1, 2021 on a first-come, first-served basis

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) today announced $750,000 in tax credits will be available through the Advanced Industries Investment Tax Credit (AITC) program for the calendar year 2021.

DENVER -- The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado have been recognized by the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) with an Impact Award for the Colorado Microloans Program.