Press Release

Colorado Creative Industries (CCI), a division of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), is pleased to announce that the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) has named Margaret Hunt, director of Colorado Creative Industries, the recipient of its 2022 Luminary Award for Transformative Executive Leadership. The award recognizes an executive director who has exhibited exemplary leadership and made a significant contribution to public support for the arts at the state, regional and national levels. Hunt has served as CCI director since 2013 under Govs.

Today, the Colorado Employee Ownership Office of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and the Exit Planning Institute released the 2022 Colorado State of Owner Readiness Report, offering key insights into the future of small businesses in Colorado. As a growing number of business owners approach retirement, the report sheds light on how prepared they are and how the State of Colorado can help these owners transition out of their businesses, realize the economic benefits of their hard work, and retain jobs across the state.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) a $500,000 State Trade and Expansion Program (STEP) grant to promote international exports for small businesses. Through this funding, the Global Business Development Division of OEDIT will continue its work to help small businesses across Colorado participate in activities that promote international sales and trade.

Today, the Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced six new recipients of the Community Revitalization Grant, including projects in Ignacio, Mancos, and Steamboat Springs.

The Colorado Startup Loan Fund, announced today by the Polis Administration and the Business Funding & Incentives Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), introduces new financing options for small business owners across Colorado looking to start, restart, or restructure a business.

Today, the Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced three new recipients of the Community Revitalization Grant, including one in Gunnison, Colorado.

A documentary featuring the Denver Rustlers and the Colorado State Fair Champion Junior Livestock Sale will air on PBS12 this Friday, August 26 at 9 p.m. The half-hour documentary, Denver Rustlers, was produced through the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media (COFTM) and celebrates a 38-year tradition of helping Colorado’s young farmers and ranchers showcase their livestock to earn money for college.

The second West Denver Rising International Night Market coming up this Saturday, August 20, will showcase the transformational effect of community-led revitalization efforts in collaboration with state government agencies. This innovative project turned a Colfax Viaduct underpass typically reserved for parking into a vibrant community gathering space in the Sun Valley neighborhood of West Denver.

Today, Governor Polis, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, and State Treasurer Dave Young announced that the U.S. Treasury Department has awarded the State of Colorado a State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) grant. This funding could result in more than $100 million over the next 5+ years to leverage ten times that amount in private financing to help Colorado’s small businesses access the capital they need to invest in their businesses and create new jobs across the state.

A 2022 production filmed primarily in Colorado Springs will premiere on UPTV August 21.