Business Toolkit

Big ideas don’t go far without the fuel to make them happen. Whether you’re looking for startup capital, expansion funding, or a financial safety net, these funding sources can help turn your plans into reality.

Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA)

• Services: From business loans to tax credits and real estate development financing,

CHFA supports real, impactful growth in Northwest Colorado.

• Website: chfainfo.com
• Mesa County Revolving Loan Fund
• Services: Low-interest loans designed for small businesses and startups in Mesa County, with a focus on helping local entrepreneurs tackle the challenges of growing in a tough economy.
• Website: gjincubator.org/loan-fund/

Northwest Loan Fund

• Services: Funding for Northwest Colorado’s businesses on the rise. We offer affordable loans to businesses pushing to scale up and push boundaries.
• Website: northwestloanfund.org
• Colorado Revolving Loan Fund
• Services: For businesses facing challenges or wanting to grow in times of uncertainty, this fund offers a path forward with loans aimed at supporting growth.
• Website: oedit.colorado.gov/colorado-revolving-loan-fund

Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)

• Services: Grants, funding programs, and tax incentives designed to foster real, sustainable growth in Colorado’s tough, competitive business landscape.
• Website: oedit.colorado.gov

Colorado Enterprise Fund

• Services: This fund understands that a business can’t grow without the right financial backing. Loans for small businesses and startups in the area where persistence meets innovation.

Website: coloradoenterprisefund.org

Building and growing a business in rural Colorado comes with unique challenges—and big opportunities. USDA programs offer funding, technical assistance, and other support to keep rural businesses strong and thriving.      

USDA Rural Development Business Programs

• Services: Rural business development made real, with a broad range of USDA programs designed to elevate our communities and the businesses that keep them strong.
• Website: rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs/business-programs

USDA Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG)

• Services: Grants designed to give rural businesses the boost they need to thrive in the modern economy. It’s about growing where you’re planted, with the resources to make it happen.
• Website: rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-business-development-grants

USDA Business & Industry Loan Guarantees

• Services: Loan guarantees designed to support business development in rural areas—helping to keep businesses running and expanding even when times get tough.
• Website: rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-industry-loan-guarantees

USDA Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG)

•  These grants are all about helping rural businesses turn their products into something more. Expand what’s possible and add value with the right funding support.

Website: rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants

No matter how much experience you have, there’s always more to learn. From business fundamentals to advanced growth strategies, these workshops and training programs help entrepreneurs stay sharp and competitive.

Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)

• Services: Workshops and training designed for businesses to stay sharp and continue growing in an ever-evolving economic landscape.
• Website: oedit.colorado.gov/small-business-training-workshops

Northwest Colorado Small Business Development Center (NW SBDC)

• Services: Real-world training and events for businesses across Moffat, Garfield, Rio Blanco, and Routt Counties. These aren’t just sessions—they’re opportunities to move forward and grow stronger.

Website: northwestsbdc.org/upcoming-training/

The right advice at the right time can make all the difference. Whether you need help with planning, marketing, product development, or operations, these organizations provide practical, no-nonsense guidance.

Grand Junction Business Incubator Center

• Services: We’re here to give you the technical support you need to survive and thrive—whether that’s planning, marketing, or developing new products. Your business deserves this kind of no-nonsense help.

Website: gjincubator.org

Success isn’t just about what you know—it’s also about who you know. These networking groups and events connect you with the right people, the right opportunities, and the right support to help your business grow.

Northwest Colorado SBDC

• Services: Community-driven networking events, business meetups, and entrepreneur groups across Northwest Colorado. If you want to grow your business, it starts here, with the people who know how to make it happen.
• Website: northwestsbdc.org

Grand Junction SBDC

• Services: Business networking and community engagement in Mesa County. These aren’t just networking events—they’re chances to forge real relationships that drive business forward.

Website: gjincubator.org

Starting a business isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes guts, smarts, and a whole lot of grit—especially in Northwest Colorado. Whether you’re building from scratch or scaling up, these resources will help you lay a rock-solid foundation.

Northwest Colorado Small Business Development Center (NW SBDC)

• Services: Hands-on help for startups, including business plans, market research, and expert guidance. The road from idea to reality isn’t always smooth, but NW SBDC makes sure you’ve got the map.
• Website: northwestsbdc.org/nwsbdc-events/startup-to-scaleup/

Techstars Startup Programs

• Services: For those ready to take their business to the next level, Techstars offers world-class mentorship, accelerator programs, and funding. If you’re serious about growth, this is where to start.
• Website: techstars.com

Startup Colorado

• Services: A homegrown network built to fuel entrepreneurs across the state. Connect, learn, and grow alongside people who understand the unique challenges (and advantages) of doing business in Colorado.

Website: startupcolorado.org

Building a business is one thing. Keeping it alive for the next generation? That’s where true vision comes in. Whether you’re planning a family handoff or preparing to sell, having a clear strategy means your business will last beyond you.

SBDCNet Succession Planning Guide

• Services: No-nonsense strategies for passing the torch, whether you’re selling, retiring, or keeping it in the family. A strong business deserves a strong exit plan.
• Website: sbdcnet.org/small-business-information-center/succession-planning/

ADP’s Beginner’s Guide to Business Succession Planning

• Services: A practical roadmap for business owners looking to step back without leaving a mess behind. Covers financial, legal, and operational must-knows.
• Website: adp.com/spark/articles/2024/03/a-beginners-guide-to-business-succession-planning-for-small-and-midsize-business-owners.aspx

AgWest Farm Credit Succession Planning Workshops

• Services: Family business transitions can get complicated fast. These workshops break it down so you can plan for the future without breaking up the family.

Website: agwestfc.com/education-and-resources/business-resources/family-business-planning

Hiring the right people is hard. Keeping them? Even harder. Whether you need help recruiting, training, or retaining employees, these resources are built for businesses in the real world.

AskEARN Small Business Toolkit

• Services: Hiring diverse talent (including employees with disabilities) isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a smart business move. This toolkit helps you do it right.
• Website: askearn.org/page/small-business-toolkit

Colorado Workforce Development Council

• Services: The state’s top resource for connecting businesses with skilled workers. If you need talent, this is where you find it.
• Website: cwdc.colorado.gov

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE)

• Services: Job postings, workforce programs, and labor market data—all designed to help you find and keep the right people for the job.

Website: cdle.colorado.gov

Sometimes, the best business advice comes from the right connections. These resources cover everything from legal guidance to funding and economic growth—so you’re never flying blind.

Small Business Administration (SBA)

• Services: Federal funding, expert advice, and tools to help you build a business that lasts. If you don’t know where to start, start here.
• Website: sba.gov

National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)

• Services: Advocacy, legal resources, and real-world guidance for independent business owners. You don’t have to go it alone.
• Website: nfib.com

Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)

• Services: Funding, trade opportunities, and business support tailored to Colorado entrepreneurs.
• Website: oedit.colorado.gov