BUSINESS FINANCING · CO

Small Business Financing Guide for Denver County, Colorado

This guide is for solo contractors, small business owners, and real estate investors in Denver County who want to understand their financing options. It covers who qualifies, what documents you'll need, and which local lenders and organizations actually serve this community — including ITIN-friendly and Spanish-speaking resources. Origen Capital is a directory, not a lender, and this guide is meant to help you ask the right questions before you walk into any office.

§ 01 — What it is

What Is Small Business Financing?

Small business financing is money you borrow or receive to start, run, or grow a business. It can take many forms: a term loan (you borrow a fixed amount and pay it back over time), a line of credit (you draw money as you need it, like a credit card for your business), a microloan (a smaller loan, often under $50,000, designed for newer or smaller businesses), or a grant (money you do not have to repay). Each type works differently, and the right fit depends on how long you have been in business, how much revenue you bring in, and what you plan to use the money for. In Denver County, you have access to a strong network of local and regional lenders who specialize in working with small and micro businesses — including sole proprietors, contractors, and immigrant-owned businesses. You do not have to go to a big bank first.

§ 02 — Who qualifies

Who Qualifies? A Look at Denver County's Economy

Denver County is home to a diverse and growing small business community. Key industries include construction and contracting, food and hospitality, retail, health services, creative industries, and real estate investment. Many business owners in Denver are immigrants, first-generation entrepreneurs, or self-employed workers who may not have a long U.S. credit history or a traditional W-2 income — and that is okay. Several local lenders are specifically set up to work with people in exactly that situation. General qualification factors lenders look at include: • Time in business (some lenders accept 6 months; others want 2 years) • Annual revenue or projected revenue for startups • Personal credit score (some ITIN-friendly lenders do not require a Social Security number) • Purpose of the loan and ability to repay • Collateral (not always required, especially for microloans) If you are a solo contractor or a very small business, do not count yourself out. Denver has several lenders designed for businesses just like yours.

§ 03 — What you need

Documents You Will Typically Need

Every lender is different, but most will ask for some combination of the following. Getting these together before you apply saves time and shows lenders you are prepared. • Government-issued ID (passport, consular ID, or driver's license — ITIN lenders accept foreign IDs) • ITIN or Social Security number • Business license or proof of business registration (Colorado Secretary of State filing) • 6–24 months of bank statements (personal and/or business) • Most recent 1–2 years of tax returns (personal and/or business; some lenders accept 1099s) • Profit and loss statement or simple income/expense summary • Business plan or written description of how you will use the funds (especially for startups or microloans) • Proof of address (utility bill, lease agreement) • Any existing debt obligations (outstanding loans, credit cards) If you do not have all of these, talk to a CDFI or small business development center first — they can help you get organized before you formally apply.

§ 04 — Where to start in Denver County

Local Lenders, CDFIs, and Resources That Serve Denver County

These are organizations that actually work with small businesses in Denver County. Many offer technical assistance alongside financing — meaning they help you prepare, not just approve or deny you. **Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF)** A leading Colorado CDFI that provides small business loans from $1,000 to $1.5 million. CEF works with startups, underserved entrepreneurs, and businesses that may not qualify at traditional banks. They offer bilingual support and have deep roots in the Denver metro area. Visit coloradoenterprisefund.org. **Accion Opportunity Fund** A national CDFI with strong Colorado presence. Accion offers microloans and small business loans to entrepreneurs who are underserved by traditional banks, including ITIN holders and immigrant business owners. They offer support in Spanish and English. Visit accionopportunityfund.org. **Denver Community Credit Union (DCCU)** A local credit union that serves Denver residents and workers. Credit unions typically offer lower interest rates than banks and are more flexible about credit history. DCCU offers personal and small business accounts and loans. **Ent Credit Union** One of Colorado's largest credit unions, with branches in the Denver area. Ent offers small business checking, savings, and lending products and is known for its member-focused approach. **Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA)** CHFA offers business financing programs including the SBA 504 loan program for real estate and equipment purchases. If you are a small real estate investor or contractor looking to purchase commercial property in Denver, CHFA is worth a call. Visit chfainfo.com. **SBA Colorado District Office** The U.S. Small Business Administration's Colorado District Office is based in Denver. They do not lend directly, but they connect you to SBA-approved lenders (banks and CDFIs) and run programs like SBA 7(a), SBA 504, and the SBA Microloan Program. They also oversee SCORE Denver and Small Business Development Centers. Visit sba.gov/offices/district/co/denver. **Denver SCORE Chapter** Free mentoring from experienced business volunteers. SCORE mentors can help you prepare your loan application, review your financials, and point you to the right lender. Mentoring is available in Spanish upon request. Visit denver.score.org. **Colorado SBDC Network – Denver Metro SBDC** The Small Business Development Center at Community College of Denver offers free and low-cost advising, workshops, and loan packaging assistance. They help entrepreneurs prepare for financing and connect them with lenders. Visit coloradosbdc.org. **Mi Casa Resource Center** A Denver-based nonprofit that supports women and Latino entrepreneurs with business training and access to capital connections. They work closely with CDFIs and can help prepare you for a loan application. Visit micasaresourcecenter.org.

§ 05 — What to avoid

Colorado State-Specific Regulatory Notes

Before you borrow money in Colorado, here are a few state-specific things to know: **Colorado Consumer Credit Code (UCCC)** Colorado has its own consumer lending law that governs certain loan products. It sets rules on disclosures, interest rates, and borrower protections. If a lender is offering you a loan and is not explaining the APR (annual percentage rate) clearly, that is a red flag. **Colorado Predatory Lending Study and Rate Caps** Colorado has worked to limit predatory small-dollar lending. As of 2021 state law changes, payday lenders face stricter rate caps. However, some business loan products — especially merchant cash advances — are not covered by these protections. Be cautious. **Colorado Secretary of State – Business Registration** To qualify for most business loans, your business should be registered with the Colorado Secretary of State's office. Registration is straightforward and low-cost (typically $50 for an LLC). Visit sos.state.co.us. **Colorado PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Center)** If you are a contractor hoping to do government work in Denver, Colorado PTAC can help you get certified and find contracts. This can strengthen your revenue picture and make you more attractive to lenders. **Denver Small Business Opportunity Fund** The City and County of Denver has historically offered or partnered on small business grant and loan programs for Denver-based entrepreneurs, particularly those in underserved communities. Check the Denver Office of Economic Development and Opportunity (OEDO) at denvergov.org/oedit for current programs.

§ 06 — Ask a question

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