New Revolving Loan Program to Increase Access to Affordable Capital
Denver City Council approved a contract between Denver Economic Development and Opportunity and Colorado Enterprise Fund, Applications open June 1
New Revolving Loan Program to Increase Access to Affordable Capital
Published on May 05, 2026
New Revolving Loan Program to Increase Access to Affordable Capital for Denver Small Businesses
Denver City Council approved a contract between Denver Economic Development and Opportunity and Colorado Enterprise Fund, applications open June 1
Denver - Monday, May 4, 2026 – Today Denver City Council voted today to approve a contract between Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) and Denver Economic Development and Opportunity (DEDO) to implement the BUILD (Business Investments, Loans and Development) Denver Program. A partnership between DEDO and CEF, this program will offer affordable loans to Denver small businesses looking to start, invest or grow their business endeavors.
Applications will open Monday, June 1, 2026. Interested businesses are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming information sessions on Tuesday, June 9 at 10 AM or Thursday, June 25 at 3 PM. Additional details about the program and information sessions are available here.
“Nothing has a bigger impact on a city’s culture than its small businesses,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “This program puts cash on the barrelhead and sends a clear message that if you want to do business in Denver, you’ll have the full support of the city behind you.”
“We are thrilled to officially announce the BUILD Denver program to support small businesses across Denver,” said Adeeb Khan, Executive Director, Denver Economic Development and Opportunity. “Small businesses are the backbone of Denver’s economy and the soul of our neighborhoods. By partnering with Colorado Enterprise Fund, we’re creating new pathways for small business owners to access capital, scale their business, and create good jobs. During National Small Business Week, this program sends a clear message: Denver is all-in on small business.”
Funded by the City’s Herman Malone Special Revenue Fund with 1% of retail marijuana sales tax, DEDO and CEF will partner on a three-year funding agreement of up to $9 million. The funding will help build affordable loan capital for undercapitalized businesses and reduce borrowing costs through an interest rate subsidy, bringing rates down to 4.99% on loans up to $350,000. In addition, business owners will receive no-cost business coaching focused on loan readiness, application assistance, and support throughout the life of the loan.
CEF will also provide funds to be allocated to permanent revolving loan capital for the City’s BUILD Denver program, sustaining business support for years to come.
“Colorado Enterprise Fund is looking forward to partnering with the City and County of Denver to support local small businesses across Denver with low-interest loans, giving Denver’s small business owners the opportunity to build, invest or expand with lower costs,” said Nim Patel, Chief Operating Officer for CEF. “CEF has supported thousands of businesses across Colorado, and we are excited to continue this work to ensure Denver small business owners have that same access. As a revolving loan fund, every dollar repaid will be reinvested to support the next entrepreneur with a dream, thus sustaining the program and community impact for years to come.”
“The BUILD Denver program will invest in under-resourced small businesses across our great city,” said Denver City Council Member Darrell Watson, District 9. “Denver’s small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and this program will ensure that local small businesses have the financial resources and coaching they need to prosper and make Denver home."
Applications will open Monday, June 1, 2026. Interested businesses are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming information sessions on Tuesday, June 9 at 10 AM or Thursday, June 25 at 3 PM. Additional details about the program and information sessions are available here.
“Nothing has a bigger impact on a city’s culture than its small businesses,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “This program puts cash on the barrelhead and sends a clear message that if you want to do business in Denver, you’ll have the full support of the city behind you.”
“We are thrilled to officially announce the BUILD Denver program to support small businesses across Denver,” said Adeeb Khan, Executive Director, Denver Economic Development and Opportunity. “Small businesses are the backbone of Denver’s economy and the soul of our neighborhoods. By partnering with Colorado Enterprise Fund, we’re creating new pathways for small business owners to access capital, scale their business, and create good jobs. During National Small Business Week, this program sends a clear message: Denver is all-in on small business.”
Funded by the City’s Herman Malone Special Revenue Fund with 1% of retail marijuana sales tax, DEDO and CEF will partner on a three-year funding agreement of up to $9 million. The funding will help build affordable loan capital for undercapitalized businesses and reduce borrowing costs through an interest rate subsidy, bringing rates down to 4.99% on loans up to $350,000. In addition, business owners will receive no-cost business coaching focused on loan readiness, application assistance, and support throughout the life of the loan.
CEF will also provide funds to be allocated to permanent revolving loan capital for the City’s BUILD Denver program, sustaining business support for years to come.
“Colorado Enterprise Fund is looking forward to partnering with the City and County of Denver to support local small businesses across Denver with low-interest loans, giving Denver’s small business owners the opportunity to build, invest or expand with lower costs,” said Nim Patel, Chief Operating Officer for CEF. “CEF has supported thousands of businesses across Colorado, and we are excited to continue this work to ensure Denver small business owners have that same access. As a revolving loan fund, every dollar repaid will be reinvested to support the next entrepreneur with a dream, thus sustaining the program and community impact for years to come.”
“The BUILD Denver program will invest in under-resourced small businesses across our great city,” said Denver City Council Member Darrell Watson, District 9. “Denver’s small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and this program will ensure that local small businesses have the financial resources and coaching they need to prosper and make Denver home."
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About Denver Economic Development & Opportunity
Denver Economic Development and Opportunity works to create an economy that works for everyone. Through business support and jobseeker and employer resources, DEDO supports our local economy. Learn more at Denvergov.org/DEDO
About Colorado Enterprise Fund
Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) is a nonprofit small business lender dedicated to supporting undercapitalized entrepreneurs start or grow their business. CEF, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), offers loans ranging from $10K to $1M for those who don’t meet traditional financing guidelines, filling a vital void between conventional banking and high-interest alternatives. Beyond financing, CEF provides no-cost business coaching to support clients’ growth and sustainability. CEF has disbursed over $441 million in capital to 9,800 businesses statewide and is celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2026. For more information, visit: www.coloradoenterprisefund.org
