Find loans and free grants for veteran, women, LGBTQ or minority owned businesses in Colorado. Local as well as national banks, non-profit organizations, corporations, and other lenders provide funding to small to midsize businesses as well as entrepreneurs. There may be minority business loans, funds to help a women owned business grow, or grants to start up a company. Find how to get loans or free MWBE grants near you in Colorado.
There are lenders across the state. While most of the grants as well as loan programs are offered from lenders in the major cities of Denver, Boulder, or El Paso Colorado, there are also generally options available in all cities and counties. The application criteria will vary. Some lenders, financial aid or government grant programs require minimum credit scores or business revenue targets, others don’t. There may also be grants focused on Black women business owners, veterans, or female companies as well. You will need to call and/or apply for more details.
In addition to providing funds to MWBE as well as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) businesses in Colorado, some of the lenders or other providers will also give free advice or mentoring services as part of the financing package. This will be another benefit to using the programs below. In addition, there are always new loans or free grant programs being offered; the list below will be added to and updated daily.
Small business minority or women owned loans and free grants in Colorado
Find a current, updated list of places to turn to for funding. There will be grants loans, mentoring services, and other small business programs for women or minorities in Colorado near you. The most recent announcement as well as sources of funding will be at the top of the list, with older announcements towards the bottom.
January 2026
Small businesses that are in the area of the East Colfax BRT Construction zone may be able to get financial help from the Business Impact Opportunity (BIO) Fund. The Denver Economic Development & Opportunity is providing grant money to help businesses may it through the often challenging period due to construction. Read about the rules and regulations here at this link https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Economic-Development-Opportunity/Small-Business-and-Entrepreneurs/Resources-and-Programs/Business-Impact-Opportunity-Fund-RD-4
November 2025
Pueblo City Council is providing up to 50 small businesses financial help from the Small Business Window Repair Mini-Grant Program. Each business will get up to $1,000. The goal is to help replace broken windows and address beauty of the area – details and the link is here https://www.pueblo.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4887
There were also small business grants and loans in CO from previous years as well, which can serve as an additional reference point.
By Jon McNamara
