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Colorado Startup Loan Fund
General · Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) · CO
The Colorado Startup Loan Fund is a state-run loan program from OEDIT offering loans under $150,000 to Colorado entrepreneurs and small business owners, especially those who've had trouble accessing traditional bank financing — it's a loan you repay, not a grant.
The Colorado Startup Loan Fund is a revolving loan program run by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). Despite the word "Fund" and its listing under grant-style programs, this is a loan/microloan program — not a cash grant — offering loans under $150,000 through partner lenders to Colorado entrepreneurs and small business owners.
The program is designed to help people start, restart, or restructure a business when traditional bank financing isn't accessible. OEDIT prioritizes borrowers who have historically faced barriers to conventional financing, meaning the fund is aimed at filling gaps left by mainstream banks rather than competing with them. Loans are delivered through partner lenders rather than directly by the state, so specific terms, interest rates, and repayment schedules will vary by lender.
For a small business owner in Colorado, this program matters because it provides an alternative path to capital with more favorable terms than some conventional options, particularly for those who might otherwise be turned down by a bank. However, because it is debt rather than a grant, funds must be repaid according to the terms set by the partner lender.
Award amounts, open application rounds, and detailed eligibility criteria are subject to change, and the source material notes this should be confirmed at the official state site as of 2026. Business owners should reach out to OEDIT or check current partner lenders to understand what specific loan products are available at any given time before applying.
Who qualifies
How to apply
Questions people ask
Is this a grant or a loan?
It is a loan/microloan program with loans under $150,000, not a cash grant, despite being called a "Fund."
Do I have to repay the money?
Yes, this is debt financing delivered through partner lenders, so repayment terms apply.
Who is eligible?
Colorado small business owners and entrepreneurs, especially those who have historically faced barriers to conventional bank financing.
How much can I get?
Loans are under $150,000; exact amounts depend on the partner lender and your business needs.
What's the deadline?
Check current rounds at the official site — there isn't a fixed deadline listed.
Where do I apply?
Through OEDIT's official site at https://oedit.colorado.gov/startup, which connects to partner lenders.
Is the loan taxable?
Confirm at the source — this detail isn't specified in the available information.
Who runs this program?
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT).
Can I use this to restart or restructure my business?
Yes, the program supports starting, restarting, or restructuring a business.
Do I need to have been rejected by a bank first?
The program prioritizes those who've faced barriers to conventional financing, but confirm exact requirements at the source.
Is this only for Colorado residents?
Yes, it's limited to Colorado small business owners and entrepreneurs.
What interest rates or terms apply?
Terms are described as favorable but specifics vary by partner lender — confirm at the source.
Opportunity number: not published. Source: curated + verified (official state source, 2026). GetFundedUSA is independent and not affiliated with Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT); always confirm current deadlines, amounts and eligibility on the sponsor's own page before applying.