You need money to start and run a small business. That’s true in Colorado as well as everywhere else. Securing financing is perhaps the biggest challenge a startup faces, and the problem doesn’t go away as the company grows, particularly if it wants to expand. When you’re looking for funds to start or grow your enterprise, business grants present too good an opportunity to ignore.
Think of how grants compare with the other forms of financing. For example, you can put your own assets on the line by maxing personal credit cards and mortgaging property. That creates a huge risk for your personal well-being as well as for your business. Another choice is to borrow money from a financial institution. But, of course, loans need to be paid back (with interest!), and that ongoing outflow can stymie the use of financial resources for other business purposes. Finally, you might be able to attract an investor such as a venture capitalist. With this kind of financing, however, you no longer have total ownership of your company. A third party is entitled to a share of your future profits.
With a grant, the money is given to you. You don’t have to pay it back, and you don’t have to compromise your control of your company. If there’s a gap between the financing that’s available and the money you really need to grow your business, a Colorado grant may be just what you need to close that gap.
What are small business grants?
A small business grant is a momentary award given to a business by a government agency, a nonprofit, or possibly a corporate foundation. Essentially, it is a gift. It’s not a loan that you have to pay back with interest. Unlike a venture capital investment, it doesn’t entitle anyone to a share of your company. If you make money as a result of grant funding, the profits are yours to keep.
Grants are awarded for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s to encourage business owners to get involved in vital industries. Grants may be used to support exports of a state’s goods to other states and other countries. Sometimes they’re intended to encourage business investments in parts of Colorado that may be lagging behind. In yet other cases, the intent is to level the playing field for women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups.
Often grants come with specific requirements about how the money will be used. Usually, the application process requires that you tell the grant provider what you plan to do with the award. Sometimes, your use is the money is less controlled, and you can apply it wherever your business has the greatest need.
Grants are particularly welcome for businesses in the startup phase, where the owners are often scrambling to accumulate sufficient funding. They’re also a great source of capital for companies that are looking to expand, either by scaling up their current line of business or venturing into something new.
Colorado state-specific grants for 2026
Of the thousands of 2026 nationwide small business grants, there are some funding opportunities that are available only to home-grown Colorado businesses. In fact, there are far more than an article like this can describe. To help you plow through the array of available awards, consider using a consolidation site that maintains extensive databases. US Grants is an example. To use these sites, you generally have to create an account. You then can enter parameters to narrow down your search.
Here are a few small business grants available to Colorado entrepreneurs.
Advanced industries early-stage capital and retention grant
The Advanced industries early-stage capital and retention grant is for startups that have a product that is manufactured in Colorado and exported globally. Eligible industries include aerospace, advanced manufacturing, bioscience, electronics, energy, infrastructure engineering, and technology and information. Grants can be up to $250,000, but companies must provide matching funds.
The next application cycle opens July 1, 2026, with applications due August 27, 2026.
Advanced industries export grant
This grant is also targeted to aerospace, advanced manufacturing, bioscience, electronics, energy, infrastructure engineering, and technology and information. It’s intended to offset international development and marketing costs for companies that are either new to exporting or expanding to new countries. Your company has to pay for the expense up front, and the grant is a reimbursement for 50 percent of the expense, up to $15,000.
Skill advance Colorado grant
The Skills Advance Colorado Job Training grant supports workforce development through two distinct tracks. The Colorado First track funds customized training for net new hires at companies relocating to or expanding in Colorado. The Existing Industry track funds training for incumbent workers at established Colorado businesses, helping them adapt to new technology and prevent layoffs.
Both tracks are jointly administered by OEDIT and the Colorado Community College System, and businesses work directly with a local college representative who assists with eligibility determination and the application process. Grants of up to $200,000 are available. The current application period runs July 1 through April 1 each year, check the Skill Advance Colorado page for the current cycle’s status.
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
This is for small businesses looking to expand into international markets. Annual grants up to $10,000 are available. Money can be used for trade shows, international business meetings, new market research, and related activities.
A Colorado STEP site has more information on the program and the application process.
Colorado Springs Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Grants
For small businesses located in downtown Colorado Springs, the Colorado Springs Downtown Development Authority offers three ongoing grant programs with substantial award amounts.
Building Enhancement Grants ($10,000–$50,000) are designed to supplement or match funds for exterior building improvement projects on existing buildings within the DDA boundaries. Funds can be used to enhance facades, improve signage and lighting, add landscaping or seating, and incorporate public art.
Retail Incentive Grants ($10,000–$50,000) are aimed at attracting and retaining businesses that bring new offerings to downtown. Eligible applicants must be new to downtown or expanding/relocating, and must offer a business type not currently represented in the area — such as a new cuisine, a wellness or fitness concept, or a retail category that doesn’t yet exist downtown.
Tree Canopy Grants ($2,000–$12,000) support properties within the DDA that add to the downtown urban tree canopy through landscaping improvements.
All three programs are open on a rolling basis with no fixed application deadline.
Industry-specific and niche grants
Some Colorado grants are widely available and can be used for general business investment and expenses. Others are targeted to specific communities or specific regions of the state. Here are some examples of this kind of award.
Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center (NWRM RFBC)
Farms, ranches, and value-added food business are eligible for this award. They must be focused on local and regional markets or serving small and medium sized food and farm businesses. Money can be used to hone business skills, expand access to markets, and strengthen local and regional food chains.
Small Business Equity Fund Program (CLOSED)
This award is from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. It provided up to $10,000 for energy efficiency upgrades such as LED lighting and new commercial refrigeration equipment. Initially it was available in Aurora and Commerce City, and there were discussions about expanding to other communities.
Applications for the Small Business Equity Fund are currently closed and on pause for the 2025–26 funding cycle. Check the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s website for updates on when the next round will open.
Federal grants available to Colorado businesses
There’s no reason to limit your search for grants to Colorado. There are federal agency grants that are as available in Colorado as they are in other states. Information is consolidated at the federal website Grants.gov. Here you will find not only a rundown of available grants but also general educational materials and tips for applying. You can use their searchable database to narrow your choices.
Here are a few grants that are available.
U.S. Department of Education Grants
As you might expect, the department awards grants primarily to schools and other educational entities. However, there are some grants available for private businesses. All of them have different eligibility requirements.
Deadlines vary by program and are updated regularly. See the Department of Education’s grants website for current application windows before applying.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
SBIR grants fund R&D projects with the goal of promoting technological innovation. There is an emphasis on encouraging participation from traditionally undeserved businesses such as those owned by women and minorities.
The web.gov site provides methods for applying for grants.
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
Like SBIR, these grants support of R&D and are restricted to businesses with 500 or fewer employees. However, they focus on collaboration between the businesses and non-profit research institutions, often directed toward research with military or commercial implications.
Note: The SBIR and STTR programs lapsed on September 30, 2025, after Congress missed the reauthorization deadline. Both programs were reauthorized in March 2026 and are now active through September 30, 2031.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
A non-regulatory agency of the Department of Commerce offers NIST grants. They are for startups doing R&D in various technology fields, include communications, AI, bioscience, and nanotechnology.
Corporate and private foundation grants for 2026
Government agencies aren’t the only source of Colorado small business grants. Major corporations and private foundations also offer grant funding. Here are some you might look for.
Hiring Our Heroes Grant
The Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant Program, powered by the FedEx Founder’s Fund and sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, awards five veteran- and military spouse-owned small businesses with one-time grants each year, four businesses receive $10,000 and one standout business receives a $25,000 grand prize. To be eligible, your business must be at least 51% owned by an honorably discharged veteran or military spouse, have between 3 and 20 employees, and generate no more than $5 million in annual revenue.
The 2026 application period has closed. Applications typically open in the fall and close in December each year.
StreetShares Foundation Veteran Small Business Award
This foundation awards grants to active-duty service members, veterans, and their spouses. Awards are $4,000 to $15,000, and the business must have some social impact of the veteran community.
The application deadline is October of each year.
Amber Grant for Women
Women’s Net grants this award every month, generally giving each of three women a $10,000 prize, These winners can apply for the once-a-year $25,000 award.
Applicants submit a story, in plain words rather than business language, that explains the business idea and how the grant will be used.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is a wide assortment of grant opportunities for Colorado small businesses, and the ones listed here only scratch the surface. If you didn’t see anything suitable to your business, don’t be deterred, but use some of the available resources to keep digging. If you’re in R&D, if you want to make your business more eco-friendly, if your business promotes disadvantaged communities, if your work can help revitalize a downtown area, of if you simply want to get your company off the ground and continue to grow, someone, somewhere offers an award you can apply for.
Grants are too good an opportunity to overlook. Unlike loans, they don’t have to be repaid. Unlike venture capital, they don’t required you to give up partial ownership of your own company. Grants are out there, but you have to know about them, and you have to apply for them.
If you’re a Colorado small businessperson, check out these grants, and use the research tools to find similar awards that may be more in line with your business. Take time and care with your application; those who state their case and show how the money will be used are the ones that earn the awards. There are plenty of grant money out there, and someone is going to claim it. Why shouldn’t you be the one?