Small Business Support

Outdoor Recreation Industry Thrives in Colorado with Innovative Sustainable Practices

The #ShopLocalColorado campaign this April celebrates Earth Day by highlighting sustainable products and initiatives by outdoor recreation and renewable energy businesses throughout Colorado. We invite business owners and community partners to utilize the #ShopLocalColorado toolkit to share the shop local message and encourage all Coloradans to shop locally, support our small businesses and boost our economy.

Colorado Minority Business Office Announces First Virtual Advance Colorado Procurement Expo

DENVER--The Minority Business Office of Colorado will host the first-ever virtual Advance Colorado Procurement Expo on April 28, 2021. 

The Advance Colorado Procurement Expo is typically an annual day-long event for businesses to showcase their goods and services to local and state government agencies, attend workshops and network. The event usually takes place each fall, but was postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19. 

Employee Ownership: A Key to Success?

The Colorado Employee Ownership Office will soon open another round of grant funding of $3,000 to businesses converting to an employee ownership business structure. This may seem surprising, but the movement of businesses converting to employee ownership is increasing every day in Colorado. Employee ownership isn’t just about numbers and contracts, it’s about choosing a business model that brings out the best in its employees and leadership.

Colorado Company Lands Deal on SharkTank and Finds Support through OEDIT programs

mountainFLOW Eco-Wax continues to grow support with “Shark Tank” appearance

Peter Arlein, founder and owner of Colorado-based mountainFLOW eco-wax, was incredulous at the email he was reading. A scout for the hit television show, “Shark Tank”, had seen him at the 2020 Outdoor Retailer at the Colorado Convention Center and wanted to know if he was interested in possibly being on the show. 

Payroll Protection Program Provides Priority Loan Access for Small Businesses with Fewer than 20 Employees

Priority Window For Forgivable PPP Loans Opens Wednesday February 24
  
DENVER – Colorado’s small businesses with fewer than 20 employees will receive a fourteen-day priority access window to apply for federal Paycheck Protection Program loans beginning February 24, 2021. Sanctioned under the Congressionally approved Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act in December, the current pool of PPP loans is reserved for small businesses whose revenues are still experiencing a 25% decrease from pre-pandemic levels.