Small Business Loan Program
Communities are safer when local economies are vibrant, especially when opportunities are available to expand small business ownership.
The Colorado Department of Local Affairs selected a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) for each community to manage the small business lending program created by HB17-1326 in SE Colorado Springs and N Aurora. The maximum loan size under this loan program is $50,000.
Coming soon: Information for the new Transforming Safety project communities of Grand Junction and Trinidad.
Meet the Lending Partners
North Aurora
Based in Aurora, CEDS is a nonprofit organization founded in 2009 to help expand the American dream by assisting refugees, immigrants, and underserved communities in metro Denver who desire to own or strengthen businesses, develop assets, and empower themselves financially. CEDS is certified through the US Department of Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and is approved by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as an SBA Microloan Intermediary Lender, only the third such program in Colorado.
For the North Aurora Catalyst Fund, a lending program of Transforming Safety, only residents of North Aurora are eligible. We are tentatively defining the boundaries of North Aurora as Yosemite St to the West, I-70 to the North, Airport Blvd to the East, and Alameda Ave to the South. Please note that these boundaries are a work in progress and may be re-defined after meeting with community stakeholders.
Aurora Office Location
10660 E Colfax Ave, Suite B
Aurora, CO 80010
(303) 569-8165
Office hours: Monday through Friday 9a-5p. Drop-ins welcome
To get more information or get started contact:
Benjamin Stephan, Loan Officer
Email
Southeast Colorado Springs
Founded in 1994, DreamSpring (formerly Accion – read more about our name change) is an award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the tools entrepreneurs need to operate, grow, or start their business. We increase access to business credit, make loans, and provide training to help entrepreneurs realize their dreams and to help businesses thrive. In addition to offering small business loans, we also provide training and other support services, including credit reporting, and business counseling. DreamSpring empowers people to be catalysts for positive change—one small business at a time.
For the Step Up Loan Fund for Southeast Colorado Springs, the lending program of Transforming Safety, only residents of SE Colorado Springs are eligible. We are tentatively defining the boundaries of Southeast Colorado Springs as zip codes, 80909 (below Galley Rd), 80910, 80911, and 80916. If someone lives/operates a business in the loan fund area, they will benefit from a 2% reduction on the interest rate for the loan, if they qualify, by the beginning of 2018.
Download the DreamSpring Transforming Safety brochure [PDF]
Apply online anytime at www.dreamspring.org or contact a loan officer to schedule an over-the-phone or in-person consultation.
Please contact the DreamSpring loan officer listed below:
Sandra Lopez
Loan Officer
Mobile: 719-985-1358
Email
Southeast Colorado Springs
Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) is a non-profit CDFI small business lender committed to helping entrepreneurs start and grow their business. CEF provides access to capital to low-income, minorities, low-wealth, women, veterans, or underserved entrepreneurs across Colorado. CEF helps small businesses that don’t meet traditional financing guidelines with loans ranging from $1K to $1M including SBA microloans. CEF also provides FREE business coaching to our borrowers through our Business Navigation Services. CEF has been dedicated to creating impact through building small businesses, driving economic development, and creating jobs for over 45 years.
For the Transforming Safety program, only residents of SE Colorado Springs are eligible. We are tentatively defining the boundaries as zip codes 80910 and 80916. This is a fixed-rate loan and up to a term of 60 months.
Apply online any time at www.coloradoenterprisefund.org or contact a CEF Community Loan Officer at 303-860-0242.
Please note that both CEDS and DreamSpring offer other lending products, in addition to the Transforming Safety project. If you live outside the boundaries of N Aurora or SE Colorado Springs, please feel free to contact them for additional information or check out their websites. CEDS makes loans in the Denver metro area and DreamSpring can make loans throughout Colorado.