DENVER - On October 8, 2024, Governor Polis and the Business Support division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced the Partner Outreach Program (POP) to connect Colorado entrepreneurs and small business owners to OEDIT programs. A network of partners with expertise in serving rural, minority-owned, and immigrant-owned businesses has been established to work with businesses across the state to access loans and funding that can help them take steps to grow their businesses.

“Helping small businesses across the state with access to funding and technical assistance will help small businesses thrive and strengthen Colorado’s economy. Small businesses drive our economy and with access to these experienced partners and their resources, Colorado will continue to be the best place in the country for anyone to start and grow a business,” said Governor Polis.

Several OEDIT programs specialize in serving businesses that have had trouble securing a loan, need a smaller-than-average loan to get up and running, or have not borrowed money before.

- Colorado Startup Loan Fund

- CLIMBER

- Colorado Credit Reserve

- Cash Collateral Support

- Colorado State Small Business Credit Initiative

“Small businesses make up 99.5% of Colorado’s economy. When small businesses have access to financing that meets their needs, they can take important steps to grow their revenues and create new jobs. The Partner Outreach Program is an innovative program that responds to community needs and will expand our outreach efforts across the vast majority of the state. That means new opportunities for Colorado’s small businesses, including those that have historically encountered barriers to funding and support,” said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director.

To establish the POP network, six partners have been selected for their ability to serve diverse Colorado businesses, with a special emphasis on serving business owners who have historically encountered barriers to business capital and loans. All partners have a demonstrated history as a trusted community organization committed to community outreach, community development, and/or experience with supporting small businesses to access capital.

Collectively, these partners offer support for a wide range of demographic groups and reach at least 90% of the state, from the Western Slope to the rural Eastern Plains and southern Colorado.

- Black Business Initiative - Specializes in serving indigenous and Black communities in the Denver Metro area and San Luis Valley.

- Community Enterprise Development Services - Serves business owners in the Denver Metro, Fort Collins, Weld County and Morgan County. Experienced working with Ethiopian, Islamic, Korean, Somali and underserved communities with an additional focus on communities speaking a language other than English.

- Overwrite - Specializes in serving immigrant, migrant, Hispanic, Asian and Southeast Asian, African and Black communities in the Denver Metro area and Colorado Springs.

- Prairie Rose - Has a demonstrated history of serving Spanish speaking communities in the Western Slope, Eastern Plains, and Durango communities.

- Startup Colorado - Serves the Eastern Plains and the San Luis Valley, with experience serving business owners in all rural communities.

- Wezesha Dada Center - Active in the Denver, Pueblo, Eastern Plains, Aurora, and Colorado Springs, with experience serving immigrant, migrant, diaspora, refugee and Black communities.

About Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works with partners to create a positive business climate that encourages dynamic economic development and sustainable job growth. Under the leadership of Governor Jared Polis, we strive to advance the State’s economy through financial and technical assistance that fosters local and regional economic development activities throughout Colorado. OEDIT offers a host of programs and services tailored to support business development at every level including business retention services, business relocation services, and business funding and incentives. Our office includes the Global Business Development division; Colorado Tourism Office; Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office; Colorado Creative Industries; Business Financing & Incentives division; the Colorado Small Business Development Network; Cannabis Business Office; Colorado Office of Film, TV & Media; the Minority Business Office; Employee Ownership Office; and Rural Opportunity Office. Learn more at oedit.colorado.gov