Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) welcomed the release of $1,809,596 million in federal funding for the Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
“For years, this federal funding routinely flowed to Colorado because helping small businesses grow and create jobs is a shared priority. We are glad to see the delay to this longstanding support for entrepreneurs fixed, ending unnecessary uncertainty for local businesses. I’m thankful to Colorado’s federal delegation for getting this funding moving so the Colorado SBDC can continue helping entrepreneurs strengthen Main Streets, create jobs, and grow Colorado’s economy in every corner of our state,” said Governor Polis.
The Colorado SBDC, hosted by OEDIT since 1989, is a longstanding federal-state partnership that provides advising, educational programming, and resource connection to entrepreneurs and small businesses across Colorado. As the state’s only statewide, nationally accredited small business assistance network, the Colorado SBDC serves all 64 counties through 14 full-service centers and more than 25 satellite locations. In many rural and mountain communities, the SBDC is one of the only consistent local resources for no-cost business advising, resiliency support, and connections to capital. The Colorado SBDC helps businesses at every stage of growth from first-time entrepreneurs and Main Street storefronts to family-owned manufacturers, agricultural producers, and growing rural employers.
“Supporting small businesses is more important than ever, and the Colorado SBDC is a crucial resource. Our state is home to over 730,000 small businesses, and in 2025, the network helped them raise over $75 million in capital, increase sales by over $31 million, start 385 new businesses, and create or retain over 1,500 jobs. This federal funding is key to the Colorado SBDC’s ability to continue that vital work and will help ensure our small businesses can respond to changing market and economic conditions, and continue to thrive,” said OEDIT Executive Director Eve Lieberman.
The Colorado SBDC is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and supported through partnerships with OEDIT, local economic development organizations, higher education institutions, cites, counties, chambers of commerce, and community partners statewide. In 2025, the federal share of the Colorado SBDC was $2,250,124 (48.6%) and the non-federal share was $2,381,254 (51.4%), underscoring the strong federal-state partnership that powers small business support across Colorado.
In 2025 alone, the Colorado SBDC advised more than 6,700 businesses, supported over $75 million in capital formation, helped create or retain more than 1,500 jobs, and delivered training to more than 13,000 entrepreneurs statewide. Colorado is home to more than 730,000 small businesses, representing 99.5% of all businesses in the state and employing roughly 1.2 million Coloradans.
For more information about the Colorado Small Business Development Center and how Colorado entrepreneurs and small businesses can access advising, training, and resources to start, grow, or strengthen their business,visit sbdc.colorado.gov.
About the Colorado SBDC
The Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is the only statewide, nationally accredited program founded to support entrepreneurs and small businesses at every stage of business. Since 1987, the Colorado SBDC has driven statewide economic growth by providing public access to expert resources and business guidance, empowering business owners to make informed decisions. With 14 full-time Service Centers, over 25 Satellite Centers, and more than 240 business experts, the Colorado SBDC provides no-cost, confidential one-on-one advising, no- or low-cost educational programming, and connections to community partners and resources.
This program is supported by Federal Funding.