Rural Opportunity Office

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.

When economic development organizations travel to the annual SelectUSA Investment Summit, they find something unique in the world of international conferences: an audience of more than 1,200 business investors from approximately 70 international markets looking to invest in the United States. It’s the highest-profile event in the country dedicated to promoting foreign direct investment and the only one hosted by the US government.

Colorado Just Transition Action Plan

On December 31, 2020, the Colorado Just Transition Action Plan was submitted to Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Legislature.

Colorado has a lot to offer in terms of outdoor recreation and industry service providers, and for these reasons, manufacturers find the state a welcoming place to prosper while enjoying the quality of life Colorado communities provide. As rural communities seek opportunities to diversify their economies, the outdoor recreation industry should be considered. Colorado’s outdoor recreation industry accounts for $9.6 billion in consumer spending annually and contributed 120,000 direct jobs in 2020.

DENVER, June 10, 2021 -- The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) have announced 16 regional teams, representing 169 rural communities, as participants in the Colorado Rural Resiliency and Recovery Roadmap program.

Colorado was awarded two CARES Act Recovery Assistance planning grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to support Colorado’s economic recovery, including tourism, from the impacts of COVID-19.

The two programs are outlined below to help our partners identify which programs are relevant for their communities. Communities are eligible to participate in both programs.

Statewide Team including OEDIT to help rural economies and businesses recover from economic impacts of COVID-19

Existence of program heightens chance of EDA approval

DENVER – Rural Colorado communities that were previously ineligible can now align their economic development projects with an approved Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) equivalent plan when submitting grant applications to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).

Located within the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Business Development & Rural Prosperity division supports the economic development needs of rural communities and small business throughout Colorado.