Press Release

Today, the Colorado Venture Capital Authority (VCA) and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that the VCA has partnered with Avesta Fund to expand access to venture capital for Colorado entrepreneurs and startup businesses. The VCA has committed $3.6 million to Avesta, a venture capital firm that invests in companies working to address climate change and inequality. With the VCA’s investment and matching support from other leading Colorado investors, Avesta Colorado Fund completed its first close totaling $7.2 million.

The Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media (COFTM), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), announced today “From Service to Civilian” will air on Rocky Mountain PBS on May 28 at 10 a.m. The half-hour documentary, which was funded by the Colorado State Legislature and produced by COFTM, highlights the experiences of Colorado Veterans and their advocates as they navigate the challenges of reentering the workforce.

Today, the Global Business Development division of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that 37 Colorado companies and six researchers have been awarded Proof of Concept and Early-Stage Capital and Retention grants through OEDIT’s Advanced Industries Accelerator Program.

Today, Gov. Polis and the Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) are pleased to announce the 2023 recipients of the Governor’s Creative Leadership Awards. Each year, the Creative Leadership Awards recognize Coloradans who have demonstrated a significant commitment to the state’s creative landscape through civic leadership and volunteerism. 

Today, the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced 24 recipients of the Outdoor Recreation Industry Impact Fund (ORIIF). These grants are intended to help outdoor recreation industry businesses and nonprofits hire and retain over 100 full-time and part-time positions.

Today, the Business Funding & Incentives division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and the Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC) announced 27 recipients of Economic Development Organization (EDO) Action Grants. These one-time grants support initiatives that seek to strengthen and diversify local economies across the state, from La Junta to Mancos and Hugo to Grand Junction. 

The Colorado Creative Industries (CCI), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT), and Lighthouse Writers Workshop announced today that PBS12 will air a documentary featuring Colorado’s state finals for Poetry Out Loud. This annual event was held on March 1, 2023 at the Lakewood Cultural Center. Thirteen students from 12 schools and organizations across Colorado performed poems live on stage to celebrate poetry.

Today, Governor Polis and the Business Support division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that 40 grants have been awarded to small businesses in Colorado through the Small Business Accelerated Growth Program. These $8,000 grants will help small business owners across the state, from Arapahoe County to Chaffee County, identify and reach their target markets to increase sales and grow profits.

Today, Gov. Polis and the Cannabis Business Office (CBO) within the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) announced the Cannabis Business Loan Program for social equity licensed cannabis businesses in Colorado. The CBO has partnered with mission-based lender NuProject to provide financing that is not otherwise available to cannabis businesses through traditional lenders.  

Today, the Polis administration and Rural Opportunity Office within the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced implementation grants for economic development regions across Colorado, providing $40,000 grants to help fund the development and implementation of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS). A planning tool encouraged by the U.S.