Last verified October 24, 2026 · How we verify
Colorado small business grants: state and city programs
As of October 2026, a Colorado small business can be matched against 157 programs: 10 Colorado state programs, 2 multi-state programs that include Colorado, 62 national programs open to CO businesses, and 83 federal grants via Grants.gov.
We track 10 Colorado state programs. 8 are open or verified right now and named below. City and county grants are listed too, for Denver. Most of these programs never run an ad. The money is real, but nobody tells you it exists. That's the part we fixed.
Colorado programs by the numbers
- Who funds them
- 4 funders: Colorado Department of Agriculture (ADCRO) (3), Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (3), Colorado Energy Office (1), Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) (1).
- Award size
- Most awards $5K to $190K.
- Timing
- 6 open now, 2 of them rolling. Soonest deadline: Agricultural Workforce Development Program (Colorado), Nov 2, 2026. 2 between cycles.
- What they fund
- Agriculture (3), Manufacturing (2), Technology (2), Childcare (1); 1 open to any industry.
All 8 Colorado state programs we can name
Only Colorado's own programs, open ones first. Each names its funder and links to the official page. Annual programs spend most of the year between windows; the date tells you when to be ready.
| Program | Amount | Status | Built for | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Climate Resilience Comprehensive Project Grants FY2027 (Colorado) Colorado Department of Agriculture (ADCRO) Verified Oct 24, 2026 | Up to $150,000 (20% match required) | Closes Nov 23, 2026 | Milestone-paid grants of up to $150,000 for Colorado farmers, ranchers and land stewards to carry out whole-operation resilience projects such as drought-resilient crop rotation, soil health, grazing and irrigation management, or market expansion. A 20% match (cash or in-kind) is required, and every recipient also gets $2,000 for finishing enrollment and contracting. Applications are due by Google Form on November 23, 2026. | Official page ↗ |
Climate Resilience Equipment & Infrastructure Grants FY2027 (Colorado) Colorado Department of Agriculture (ADCRO) Verified Oct 24, 2026 | Up to $30,000 (no match required) | Closes Nov 23, 2026 | Reimbursement grants of up to $30,000, with no match required, for Colorado farmers and ranchers to buy individual pieces of equipment or infrastructure that make the operation more resilient to drought, wildfire, hail and similar events. Examples include water tanks, portable corrals, seed drills and irrigation equipment. Applications are due by Google Form on November 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM. | Official page ↗ |
Advanced Industries Export Grant Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Verified Oct 21, 2026 | Up to $15,000 per business | Rolling, apply anytime | A rolling-deadline grant for Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses that are new to export or expanding to new markets. Reimburses up to $15,000 in approved international business development and marketing costs, including trade missions, market research, legal fees, and marketing materials. Also provides consulting support through the Global Consultant Network. | Official page ↗ |
State Trade Expansion Program Grant Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Verified Oct 12, 2026 | Up to $15,000 per year | Rolling, apply anytime | The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant helps small businesses in Colorado expand internationally by funding international business development activities, including trade shows, market research, and compliance testing. Awards up to $10,000 per year. | Official page ↗ |
Agricultural Workforce Development Program (Colorado) Colorado Department of Agriculture Verified Oct 18, 2026 | Up to 50% of each intern's employment cost, up to $5,000 per intern (up to 3 interns a year) | Closes Nov 2, 2026 | Colorado's Agricultural Workforce Development Program reimburses farms, ranches and other agricultural businesses for up to 50% of the actual cost of employing an intern, up to $5,000 per intern, so they can give new workers hands-on training for a career in agriculture. A business may apply for up to three internships a year. Applications for 2027 internships are open now and close November 2, 2026 at 5 pm MT; notices go out in mid-December and the earliest internship start date is January 1, 2027. | Official page ↗ |
Colorado Clean Air Program Grants Colorado Energy Office Verified Oct 21, 2026 | $3.7 million | Closes Nov 20, 2026 | Colorado's Clean Air Program grants offset the cost of buying equipment that reduces air pollutant emissions at the industrial site where they are released. Businesses and governments can apply, and a match is required. The amount for the next round is to be announced. A new round opens October 20, 2026 and closes in November 2026. | Official page ↗ |
Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Verified Oct 21, 2026 | Up to $250,000 per project | Between cycles Usually opens around July 2027, based on past rounds | A grant for Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses to develop and commercialize disruptive technologies created or manufactured in Colorado. Awards up to $250,000 (up to $500,000 for multi-industry projects) with a 2-to-1 cash matching requirement. Applications open twice per year in January-February and July-August. | Official page ↗ |
Family Child Care Home (FCCH) Facilities Improvement Grant Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) Verified Oct 23, 2026 | Up to $5,000 | Reopens, date not announced yet | A competitive grant for licensed or pre-licensed family child care home operators in Colorado to fund facilities improvements, including safety and licensing upgrades, capacity expansions, and startup costs. Awards up to $5,000 per project. | Official page ↗ |
We track 2 more Colorado programs that are not open, dated or verified closely enough to name here yet. The quiz still checks your business against them.
City and county programs in Colorado
Open only to businesses in one city, county or local area, so they are not counted in the Colorado totals above.
- Certifiably Green Denver Mini GrantsCity and County of Denver, Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and ResiliencyCity and County of Denver onlyUp to $10,000 in upfront funding to small businesses and nonprofits · Official page ↗
- Business Impact Opportunity (BIO) Fund: East Colfax BRT RoundDenver Economic Development and OpportunityCity and County of Denver (East Colfax BRT corridor) only$7,500 or $15,000 (one-time, by 2025 revenue) · Official page ↗
Multi-state programs that include Colorado
Each of these covers more than three states, so we list them here instead of counting them as Colorado state programs.
- Closes in 4 daysWestern SARE Local Education and Demonstration (LED) GrantsWestern SAREOpen in 13 states, including COUp to $60,000 per project (1 to 3 years) · Closes Oct 28, 2026 · Official page ↗
- Closes in 4 daysWestern SARE Farmer/Rancher GrantWestern SAREOpen in 13 states, including COUp to $35,000 · Closes Oct 28, 2026 · Official page ↗
Also open to CO businesses: 62 national programs and 83 federal grants via Grants.gov. They are the same in every state, so we list them by who they fund: women-owned, veteran-owned, minority-owned, or by industry.
Every verified grant deadline in the next 90 days is on one page: the live deadlines list.
Open right now in Colorado
- Climate Resilience Comprehensive Project Grants FY2027 (Colorado): Up to $150,000 (20% match required), closes Nov 23, 2026
- Climate Resilience Equipment & Infrastructure Grants FY2027 (Colorado): Up to $30,000 (no match required), closes Nov 23, 2026
- Advanced Industries Export Grant: Up to $15,000 per business, rolling, apply anytime
- State Trade Expansion Program Grant: Up to $15,000 per year, rolling, apply anytime
- Agricultural Workforce Development Program (Colorado): Up to 50% of each intern's employment cost, up to $5,000 per intern (up to 3 interns a year), closes Nov 2, 2026
- Colorado Clean Air Program Grants: $3.7 million, closes Nov 20, 2026
Colorado small business grants, program by program
Climate Resilience Comprehensive Project Grants FY2027 (Colorado): Up to $150,000 (20% match required), closes Nov 23, 2026
Run by Colorado Department of Agriculture (ADCRO). Milestone-paid grants of up to $150,000 for Colorado farmers, ranchers and land stewards to carry out whole-operation resilience projects such as drought-resilient crop rotation, soil health, grazing and irrigation management, or market expansion. A 20% match (cash or in-kind) is required, and every recipient also gets $2,000 for finishing enrollment and contracting. Applications are due by Google Form on November 23, 2026. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 24, 2026. Official page ↗
Climate Resilience Equipment & Infrastructure Grants FY2027 (Colorado): Up to $30,000 (no match required), closes Nov 23, 2026
Run by Colorado Department of Agriculture (ADCRO). Reimbursement grants of up to $30,000, with no match required, for Colorado farmers and ranchers to buy individual pieces of equipment or infrastructure that make the operation more resilient to drought, wildfire, hail and similar events. Examples include water tanks, portable corrals, seed drills and irrigation equipment. Applications are due by Google Form on November 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 24, 2026. Official page ↗
Advanced Industries Export Grant (Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade): Up to $15,000 per business
A rolling-deadline grant for Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses that are new to export or expanding to new markets. Reimburses up to $15,000 in approved international business development and marketing costs, including trade missions, market research, legal fees, and marketing materials. Also provides consulting support through the Global Consultant Network. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 21, 2026. Official page ↗
State Trade Expansion Program Grant (Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade): Up to $15,000 per year
The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant helps small businesses in Colorado expand internationally by funding international business development activities, including trade shows, market research, and compliance testing. Awards up to $10,000 per year. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 12, 2026. Official page ↗
Agricultural Workforce Development Program (Colorado) (Colorado Department of Agriculture): Up to 50% of each intern's employment cost, up to $5,000 per intern (up to 3 interns a year), closes Nov 2, 2026
Colorado's Agricultural Workforce Development Program reimburses farms, ranches and other agricultural businesses for up to 50% of the actual cost of employing an intern, up to $5,000 per intern, so they can give new workers hands-on training for a career in agriculture. A business may apply for up to three internships a year. Applications for 2027 internships are open now and close November 2, 2026 at 5 pm MT; notices go out in mid-December and the earliest internship start date is January 1, 2027. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 18, 2026. Official page ↗
Colorado Clean Air Program Grants (Colorado Energy Office): $3.7 million, closes Nov 20, 2026
Colorado's Clean Air Program grants offset the cost of buying equipment that reduces air pollutant emissions at the industrial site where they are released. Businesses and governments can apply, and a match is required. The amount for the next round is to be announced. A new round opens October 20, 2026 and closes in November 2026. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 21, 2026. Official page ↗
Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant (Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade): Up to $250,000 per project, usually opens around July 2027, based on past rounds
A grant for Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses to develop and commercialize disruptive technologies created or manufactured in Colorado. Awards up to $250,000 (up to $500,000 for multi-industry projects) with a 2-to-1 cash matching requirement. Applications open twice per year in January-February and July-August. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 21, 2026. Official page ↗
Family Child Care Home (FCCH) Facilities Improvement Grant: Up to $5,000
Run by Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA). A competitive grant for licensed or pre-licensed family child care home operators in Colorado to fund facilities improvements, including safety and licensing upgrades, capacity expansions, and startup costs. Awards up to $5,000 per project. Verified against the funder's own page Oct 23, 2026. Official page ↗
Starting a business in Colorado: what grant money exists
Most grant money goes to businesses that already exist. The SBA says it plainly: it "does not provide grants for starting and expanding a business." New owners usually start with savings, a loan, or a narrow grant built for one kind of business.
Colorado's closest fit is for technology companies: the Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant, which pays up to $250,000 per project to Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses with annual revenues under $10 million; the company must bring $2 of non-state cash for every $1 of grant. Applications for the current round are closed.
The Colorado SBDC offers one-on-one, confidential advising at no cost, for people starting or growing a business.
Straight answers
Does Colorado have state business grants?
We track 10 Colorado state programs. The 8 named on this page are each checked against the funder's own page, and 6 are open now, including Climate Resilience Comprehensive Project Grants FY2027 (Colorado) and Climate Resilience Equipment & Infrastructure Grants FY2027 (Colorado). Most Colorado state grants pay for one purpose, like electric-vehicle charging, export marketing, or advanced-industries technology, not general cash for any business.
Is there a grant to start a business in Colorado?
Not a general one that we track. For early-stage technology companies, the Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant pays up to $250,000 per project, with a 2-to-1 cash match from the company; the current round is closed. Its next window on this page is our estimate from past rounds. For a new business, Colorado's Small Business Development Centers offer no-cost advising, including help finding funding.
Are there city or county business grants in Colorado?
Yes. Some cities and counties run their own. Right now we list 2 local programs, in Denver. They are open only to businesses in that area, so they are not counted in the Colorado totals above.
Which Colorado business grants are open right now?
Open now: Climate Resilience Comprehensive Project Grants FY2027 (Colorado), up to $150,000, closes Nov 23, 2026; Climate Resilience Equipment & Infrastructure Grants FY2027 (Colorado), up to $30,000, closes Nov 23, 2026; Advanced Industries Export Grant, up to $15,000, no posted deadline; State Trade Expansion Program Grant, up to $15,000, no posted deadline; Agricultural Workforce Development Program (Colorado), up to $5,000, closes Nov 2, 2026; Colorado Clean Air Program Grants, closes Nov 20, 2026. City and county grants in Denver are listed separately.
What's the difference between state, national, and federal programs?
State programs are run through Colorado agencies and partners and are limited to CO businesses or projects. Less competition. National programs are run by companies and foundations and are open to businesses in every state. Federal grants come through Grants.gov and tend to be larger and more paperwork-heavy.
Do I pay these back? How current is this list?
No. Grants are not loans. Each row shows the date we last checked it against the funder's own page. How we verify.
Which of these fit your Colorado business?
This page can't read your business. The 3-minute quiz can. It matches your industry, state, and ownership against all 157 programs and shows you where you stand.
See how many grants fit my business