Previous News Updates

Join the Northern Colorado Chambers and their members at Blue Arena for the popular Regional Business After Hours! Explore the newly remodeled Blue Arena, make a connection with a regional peer, and enter to win prizes. Food and drinks will be provided! Registration cost is $20, when registering please select your Chamber. https://fortcollinschamber.com/event/regional-business-after-hours-with-blue-arena/?fbclid=IwAR2G9HySxMNXKG8jFvMSKHHLud7D0BwSjc-23kBIsA1k6ZIanAF581zLQAc

January 17th

Make sure and register with the QR code or by clicking on the flyer

Space is limited so register today

Next in Food - Online Restaurant Academy

In collaboration with The Online Restaurant Academy, this 6-week online digital program will guide you through all aspects of opening a restaurant in Larimer County, from concept to scaling your business. 

The course is structured for the client to review digital and audio content, completing implementation work, setting goals and being held accountable alongside weekly Zoom group calls with other program participants.

ORA was founded by Lauren Storeby and Tiffany Helton, two female restaurateurs that currently own and operate their restaurants in Fort Collins. With a combined 25+ years of restaurant ownership experience, they know the ins and outs of the restaurant industry and have created strategies and processes in their businesses to not only survive, but thrive.

If you’re interested in opening a restaurant with little to no ownership experience this program will be a great resource to teach you the tricks of the trade and to set you up for success with real industry knowledge, experience and having a better understanding of what to expect as a restaurant owner.

ORA’s Next in Food program has been created specially for the SBDC and will get you from where you’re at today, to opening a restaurant in your future.

Start Date: January 9, 2024

Enrollment Closes on January 4, 2024

More Information

Leading Edge Strategic Planning Series 

LEADING EDGE is for business owners and entrepreneurs positioning for growth stage, that desire focused education and planning, accountability, networking, and the tools to build a strategic business plan to take their company to the next level. Must be in business for at least 1 year but no more than 5 and must have at minimum, 1 employee.

Starts on January 16, 2024

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English [Webinar] Early Child-Care Business Training Program

Are you interested in starting a child-care business? Or, have you already started but want more guidance on how to run your program?

This free training is a six-week program designed to help new or existing Colorado-based child-care providers with improving their business practices. Both to better serve their customers and to promote their business sustainability with increased revenues. No prior business training is required, all are welcome!

The class will meet online via Zoom.

Starts February 1, 2024

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The Colorado Department of Revenue has created the following wage withholding tax forms to help employers meet the new requirement of House Bill 23-1006.

DR 0995, Notice of Federal and State Refundable Tax Credits. This form provides the notice language that employers must provide to employees who receive a Colorado wage and tax statement (form W-2). Beginning with tax year 2023, employers must provide this language annually to each employee, either electronically or by print.

The Department has also updated the following wage withholding tax forms to account for changes to federal income tax deductions and to the Colorado Child Tax Credit in House Bill 23-1112.

• DR 0004, Colorado Employee Withholding Certificate. This form gives employees the option to adjust their Colorado wage withholding according to their specific tax situation. If an employee does not submit this form, the employer will calculate their withholding based on their federal withholding certificate, form W-4. Employees may update their withholding certificate for 2024, but they are not required to.
• DR 1098, Colorado Withholding Worksheet for Employers. This worksheet prescribes the method for employers to calculate Colorado wage withholding, based on the employee’s Colorado form DR 0004 or federal form W-4. Employers must begin using the updated calculation for pay periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024. 

For additional information and resources regarding Colorado withholding, go to Tax.Colorado.gov/Withholding-Tax.

Colorado Business Support Programs 

CBO Launches Landmark Statewide Cannabis Loan Program

OEDIT's Cannabis Business Office (CBO) announced the Cannabis Business Loan program for social equity licensed cannabis businesses. CBO has partnered with mission-based lender NuProject to provide financing that is not otherwise available to cannabis businesses through traditional lenders. The initial $1 million investment is expected to lend $2.9 million over the next 10 years, creating and retaining important jobs in Colorado. 

International Trade Readiness for Small Businesses

International Trade Readiness for Small Businesses online training course from OEDIT's Minority Business Office provides a peek into resources available through our partners at the World Trade Center Denver to reach international markets. This training program will review:

• International trade basic information for your business
• How to create a strategy to export your products to new markets
• Source international products to competitively sell in the U.S.
• Connect with a network of expert consultants to put your international trade plans into action.

Cash Collateral Support Program

The Cash Collateral Support program helps small and medium-sized businesses in Colorado access loans that they would otherwise not get because they do not have enough collateral. This credit enhancement uses small amounts of public resources to encourage private lenders to loan money to businesses. The program provides a cash deposit as collateral for a business loan or credit facility when the business cannot meet the lender’s collateral requirements. Lenders can apply for up to 25% of the loan amount or $250,000, whichever is less, in collateral to support business loan applications. The maximum loan size for this loan is $10 million.

Colorado Startup Loan Fund to help small businesses grow

Our Business Funding and Incentives Division has partnered with eight lenders to launch the Colorado Startup Loan Fund. The Fund provides loans under $150,000 and micro-loans to business owners who have had trouble securing financing, need a smaller-than-average loan to get up and running or haven’t borrowed money before. 

Introduction to Employee Ownership Course

The program is currently open. This programming is tailored to business owners who are interested in learning more about the formation of an employee-owned company. Learn about the different structures, the funding opportunities available, and the steps to convert. Employee-owned businesses promote a higher quality of life for employee-owners including higher wages, less turnover, access to better benefits, and job security. For the business owner, they get the benefit of a more engaged workforce, a guaranteed succession plan, and a way to attract and retain top talent. 

To learn more about the benefits and employee ownership options, the Employee Ownership Office has produced an introductory course. This is a free online course available 24 hours, 7 days a week accessible to small business owners interested in investigating employee ownership. To get started with this introductory course, available for 2 weeks, please click the link to register: Introduction to Employee Ownership.

Cash Collateral Support Program

The Cash Collateral Support program helps small and medium-sized businesses in Colorado access loans that they would otherwise not get because they do not have enough collateral. This credit enhancement uses small amounts of public resources to encourage private lenders to loan money to businesses. The program provides a cash deposit as collateral for a business loan or credit facility when the business cannot meet the lender’s collateral requirements. Lenders can apply for up to 25% of the loan amount or $250,000, whichever is less, in collateral to support business loan applications. The maximum loan size for this loan is $10 million.

Business Foundations Technical Assistance

This program provides business support and small grants to help businesses legally establish themselves through three required pathways. Minority Business Office consultant, Natalia, is available via virtual office hours to answer any questions you may have. Registration for training is on-demand and the reimbursement grant is open and accepted on a rolling basis.

View All OEDIT Programs