Resources

Up to $3000 to replace gas-powered outdoor power equipment with battery-powered electric equipment. Must contribute 50% of cost

Rebates for electric steamer, fryer, griddle, combination oven, convection oven, commercial dishwashers

Free facility assessments for commercial properties and multifamily properties with five or more units, to identify opportunities to reduce opperating costs and environmental impacts

Free energy advising for businesses to discuss future projects, potential opportunities and benefits of upgrades

Rebates for lighting retrofits for LED fixtures, lighting controls and VFDs

Free energy advising and efficiency assessments are available to help identify efficiency opportunities and complete upgrades. Any commercial electric customer of Fort Collins Utilities, Longmont Power & Communications or Loveland Water and Power is eligible to participate. Administers commercial water rebates to Fort Collins Utilities water customers.

High efficiency infrared heater rebate program can help offset the costs to make outdoor dining comfortable year-round, covering up to $525 of the cost to purchase an infrared heater.

Available to non-profit businesses and multi-family properties that serve our local income-qualified community. Provides an additional 1.5 times the standard rebate offering of Efficiency Works Business to cover up to 100% of an efficiency upgrade cost

Support education and research for energy optimization and promoting new policy solutions. Primary focuses are on jobs, health, and security through clean energy

Here you will be able to find information about multiple energy efficient products for housing and businesses.

Free online/onsite assessments to increase efficiencies and reduce waste

Webinars on various forms of water efficiency and conservation. Conservation tracking tool.

For nonprofit organizations that serve low-income individuals and families to provide funding for the purchase and installation of energy efficient equipment.

Financial support for electric vehicle charging stations. Funding for businesses, industry,non-profit organizations, government, and communities to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Free facility assessments for businesses to identify opportunities to reduce opperating costs and environmental impacts

Free energy advising for businesses to discuss future projects, potential opportunities and benefits of upgrades

Rebates for lighting retrofits for LED fixtures, lighting controls and VFDs

Various rebate offers once zip code is put in, many ways of enhancing workplaces or homes. 1) Lighting 2) Commercial Kitchens 3) Office Equipment 4) Building Efficiency 5) Vending Machines

For the purchase or lease of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

Rewiring America is the leading electrification nonprofit working to electrify our homes, businesses, and communities. Check how much you can get for making energy and electric appliance upgrades to your home or businesses.

Solar outreach study case in Fort Collins

Ways to save money with energy efficiency upgrades in your business, with goal of helping reduce your carbon footprint

Online webinars on water management, many of which are put on by the Energy Star webinar series. These webinars range in topic from reducing utility costs, water-efficient facilities, outdoor water use, recycling, etc.

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Keys to a more sustainable world, ways to calculate your carbon footprint, ways to make contact with congress on pressing issues, place to donate. This resource is informational and provides educational resources

Provides statistics and information on the benefits of Fort Collins shifting to renewable energy sources. Provides information on Efficiency Works, listed here under Grants

The awards recognize the environmental stewardship activities of individuals, organizations, business, or public agencies that take place within Larimer County. The activities can be simple or complex. Successful nominations are projects that are effective, innovative, creative, provide leadership and sustainability.

Owners of eligible commercial and industrial buildings can get up to 100% of eligible energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation improvements financed by C-PACE

Buildings with energy, waste, water, and transportation efficiency projects are eligible to get LEED certified

Rebates for publicly accessible, ENERGY STAR certified, and wifi/non-wifi enabled electric vehicle charging ports

Technical assistance and consulting to businesses interested in transitioning to cleaner transportation options.

CDPHE offers grants and technical assistance to support recycling and waste diversion in Colorado. Funds are available to support recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, source reduction, and beneficial use/reuse.

To establish or expand programs, policies, and infrastructure reducing organic waste or to increase organic waste collections, processing, and beneficial end markets and applications; collection of organic materials—including yard debris, grass clippings, and food scraps.

Helps businesses, organizations, non-profits, universities, and entrepreneurs to pursue innovative projects that will develop new, or improve existing, recycling and composting end markets in the state under the guidance of an expert advisory committee

Our experienced Account Managers will partner with you to analyze your business output and define the right mix of recycling and waste solutions for you. As your operation changes and grows, we’ll work with you to optimize your offerings and service levels.

The Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM), run by Atlanta-based nonprofit Live Thrive, helps to safely divert hazardous household materials from local landfills, it educates residents on the critical role of recycling in creating jobs and stimulating our economy.

Become a hub to collect batteries/ hard to recycle waste

Rebates for toilets, urinals, ice machines, dishwashers, etc

The City’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Team works directly with businesses and multifamily units looking to start or increase recycling services. We offer a wide variety of resources to support successful recycling and can even offer one-on-one assessments of your current waste program. All resources and assessments are provided free of charge. 

Commercial rebates and renewable energy incentives

Indoor water assessments help commercial water users better understand their water use and identify opportunities to save.

BlocPower uses proprietary technology to analyze, finance and upgrade homes and buildings with the latest in energy-efficient, electric technology and appliances.

Efficiency Works Business is committed to offering versatile support solutions and information for commercial fleet electrification. This program will utilize a closed network of listed service providers (SPs) to conduct fleet electrification assessments and apply for incentives on behalf of eligible commercial customers of Estes Park Power and Communications, Fort Collins Utilities, Longmont Power & Communications, and Loveland Water and Power. When participating in a fleet electrification assessment with a listed SP through the program, Efficiency Works Business offers an incentive to offset some or all of the cost of the study.

Residential and commercial water customers can receive a rebate for replacing grass with an eligible low-water landscape. Projects must be approved prior to installation. Commercial customers can receive $1.50 per square foot of area converted up to $15,000 per project. Eligible participants include: HOAs, multi-family complexes, businesses, faith-based organizations, schools, parks, government entities and other commercial customers.

Fort Collins Utilities offers rebates on new, qualified water-saving irrigation equipment for our commercial and HOA water customers. Equipment must be installed at a Fort Collins Utilities commercial or HOA address. Applications must be submitted within 60 days of purchase. Please allow up to eight weeks for rebate processing. Funds are limited.

FREE sprinkler evaluation for your business or HOA through Resource Central. These evaluations will give you a comprehensive view of your sprinkler system’s performance and offer actionable steps to improve its efficiency and reduce water waste.

Free facility assessments for businesses to identify opportunities to reduce water opperating costs. After a site visit, participants will receive a report that summarizes water use, recommendations and opportunities.

Up to $6000 to replace gas-powered outdoor power equipment with new battery-powered electric equipment. Must contribute 50% of cost

CSU MBA candidates will work on sustainability initiatives within Colorado organizations for ten weeks (400 hours) in the summer. Save money, improve your CGBN standing, enhance your talent pipeline, and help the environment!

The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) provides tax credits for industrial facilities to explore and implement eligible industrial greenhouse gas emission reduction and avoidance projects in Colorado. The Colorado Industrial Tax Credit Offering (CITCO) is a competitively awarded, refundable tax credit. A total of $168 million in tax credits will be available over the program’s nine-year duration, through December 31, 2032.

Colorado’s Fleet Zero-Emission Resource Opportunity (Fleet-ZERO) grants support the charging needs of fleet owners and operators seeking to electrify their vehicles, as well as third-party providers intending to offer public charging and EV charging-as-a-service to fleets. This program offers statewide competitive grant funding for private depot charging, public and semi-public fleet charging, and fleet charging as-a-service, with prioritized investments in disproportionately impacted communities and enhanced incentives for eligible qualifying entities.

For income tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, but before January 1, 2027, Colorado allows an income tax credit to incentivize the purchase of electric-powered lawn equipment. The credit is allowed to qualified retailers for all retail sales of new, electric-powered lawn equipment sold in Colorado during the income tax year.

Utilities from the City of Fort Collins are offering double rebates to water customers who replace toilets and urinals with qualified high efficiency products. Commercial customers can get up to $260 back per unit after they install a qualifying toilet or urinal.

Utilities from the City of Fort Collins are offering double rebates to water customers who replace toilets with qualified high efficiency products. Residential customers can get up to $180 back per unit after they install a qualifying toilet or urinal. Also apply for rebates to install smart home water monitors, showerheads and water efficiency fixtures.

An online platform for learning about certifications, bidding, etc.; helps minority-, woman-, and veteran-owned businesses learn how to best; work as a vendor with National Parks Service, Denver Water, and other large entities market themselves as a certified business and secure government contracts

Free compliance support, outreach and advocacy including regulatory assistance, on-site visits, referrals, partnerships, workshops

Subscription based services such as access, technical assistance, training and support needed to expand and market their services to prospective corporate buyers

Developed to assess the social and environmental impact of a business. Take the B Impact Assessment to start. Different pathways for different sized businesses

Free consulting to help you understand certifications available to you as a minority or woman owned business

7-week online training on importance and implementation of digital marketing strategy with opportunity to earn $5000 grant

Online training focused on outlining business model and targets, identifying target market, and how to reach audience. Opportunity for $8000 grant after completion

Free online on demand training for thriving in a digital world as a small/micro business

Free online on demand training for thriving in a digital world as a small/micro business

Learn workplace related conversational skills including speaking, listening and reading comprehension as needed on the job

Learn workplace conversational skills to better interact with Spanish speaking co-workers, clients and community members

Free expert business mentoring via email, telephone, or video. Topics include financing, human resources, business planning, etc

Assistance/ grants to become a legal business

Various loans for small businesses; underrepresented, healthy food access in low-income neighborhoods, veterans, etc.

Provide education, policy advocacy, and community engagement that accelerate the adoption of all forms of renewable energy, energy efficiency, high-performance building, energy storage, and emerging technologies that will help Colorado achieve 100% renewable energy.

Requirements: a business with at least 20% of the company owned by employees of the business (excluding founders), are headquartered in Colorado, and have 3 or more employee owners

Provides business with information on how environmentally friendly choices in their business can have positive impacts. Demonstrates potential and new possibilities that businesses can learn from

The Better Trade Tool empowers users to advance efforts in supply chain transparency as well as strategic sourcing priorities. This innovative tool integrates existing reporting developed by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) with U.S. import trade data, including Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes. As a new data driven initiative launched in 2021, the current version of the Better Trade Tool is available as a beta release.

Program designed to maximize economic potential of CO science and technology companies through specialized consulting, accelerator programs, workshops and events

Free and confidential consulting and low cost workshops for needs in cloud computing, security measures using social media, meeting compliance standards in government contracting

Continuum of outreach, practical education, programs, and technical assistance for low-to-moderate income individuals starting new businesses and growing existing ones

Full day event designed so that agencies and organizations with upcoming contracting needs have interactive opportunities to connect with small businesses that may be a qualified match. Cost to attend but there are scholarships

Monthly webinar series designed to connect female business owners to key advocates, experts, and useful resources to help bolster knowledge and skills, and elevate entrepreneurial potential

Request a quote for insurance coverage to protect you, your family and your business

Resources for taxpayers who file Form 1040 or 1040-SR, Schedules C, E, F or Form 2106, as well as small businesses with assets under $10 million

Educational content from MIT available to anyone for free. Can view all materials without enrolling

Join for free and get access to more than 5,000 courses, professional certificates, and degrees from world-class universities and companies

Free learning app that provides access to over 4,000 free accredited courses with certification

Free one-hour online webinar to discuss alternative funding for hispanic-owned businesses

Are you thinking of starting a business but don't know where to begin? Free on-hour webinar where you'll learn 10 business planning tips to help you start your entrepreneurial journey on the right path

Financial resources to boost your financial literacy with 13 modules for starting and managing a business

Webinars offerd free covering different business topics

This free cohort-based program takes you through all the steps to get your venture off the ground and figure out if there’s a real opportunity there. It will take place starting February 2 2024

A free continuation of your customer discovery journey from the Venture Validator 1.0 to dive deep on if there’s a real opportunity to turn your idea into a business. Hosted virtually and takes place Mondays and Wednesdays from November 6th-15th from 12-1pm MST

Poudre River Public Library offers the services of a business librarian to help with research.

This program lets adults with a disability who qualified to "buy-into" Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid Program)

This six-month program provides participants with the knowledge and tools to become purpose-driven business leaders and explores the different business models that companies can use to drive change. You will learn how to influence management and other key stakeholders on the competitive advantages of being a purpose-driven business, and how to integrate your values into your work so that you can help transform businesses into catalysts for change.

This scholarship is to further educate and expand local industry workforce with a focus on energy efficiency, high performance buildings, and zero energy or zero carbon buildings and homes. It is also to encourage entry into the building industry workforce for individuals with an interest in building energy efficiency, building electrification and decarbonization technology, and sustainable construction. Here are some training & certification opportunities that this scholarship could cover: - Emu: ALL-IN-ONE: Passive Design/Build Boot Camp. - Construction Instruction - Residential Energy Services Network

Free consulting for all your business needs

Financial help, longterm, microloans for startup and expansion

Online training focused on financial business practices such as accounting, profit and loss, cash flow, applying for a loan, etc. Opportunity for $5000 grant after completion

Free online on demand training for thriving in a digital world as a small/micro business

Rebates on appliances such as water heaters, air conditioners, and electric heat. Could be successful for businesses run from the home, or people working from home due to the pandemic

10% cash rebate for hosting meetings and events in Colorado that take place before December 31, 2022. The minimum rebate is $3,500 and the maximum rebate is $100,000.

Designed to support building efficiency improvements, save money, and lower electric bills. Cash incentives are provided for upgrades that reduce electric demand. Available for Fort Collins Utilities commercial electric customers.

Receive a rebate when you purchase a commercial grade Energy Star qualified clothes washer. Fixtures must be installed at a Fort Collins Utilities commercial water service address.

Energy and water efficiency upgrades to help enhance industry performance in various specific industries including food service, office, and grocery

Business customers can receive a rebate for water conservation projects that don't fall into any of the specific rebate categories. Rebate is capped at 50% of project cost.

Businesses are eligible for state income tax credits in high unemployment rates, low per capita income, or slow population growth areas. Interactive map is accessible to see these growth areas

Tax incentives for investing in real estate projects and operating businesses in the form of deferrals, reductions, and possible elimination of certain federal taxes. Accessible to Northeastern Fort Collins

Awarded income tax credit equal to 50% of the FICA tax paid by the business per net new job for each calendar year. 8 year incentive for competitive, multi-state, or country relocation. Good for businesses looking to grow and extend projects outside of the state

Employers located in enterprise zones in Northern Colorado are eligible for this performance-based incentive. Support and engage new business development and engagement.

The CGBN offers FREE sustainability assessments and follow-up support to help you improve energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and corporate social responsibility. Our team of Green Business specialists provide high level technical assistance on an ongoing basis. We work with organizations of any size, type, and expertise - no matter where they are in their sustainability journey.

Working to regenerate land and build healthy soil. This is a large platform that helps to educate millions to buy food that supports healthy soil, carbon drawdown and improve the water cycle.

Esh's will buy overstock or short-dated items at wholesale value, helps small business liquidate excess resources

Access loans to small and medium-sized businesses who don't have enough collateral

For existing businesses that need to restructure, redefine their business model, or recapitalize as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; entrepreneurs who experienced financial losses or other impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic that may inhibit capital gain through traditional sources; people that face barriers to accessing capital from traditional sources

For businesses that typically struggle to secure loans from the banks requirements: businesses need to be engaged in a trade or business primarily in Colorado and contain the primary economic benefit of the loan in Colorado

A short-term business loan designed to give small businesses fast access to funding to cover short-term capital needs. Has relatively smaller loan amounts and higher interest rates—but fund much more quickly.

Loan amounts from $5,000-100,000, interest rates as low as 5.9%, and programs and coaching. To be considered, business must be at least 12 months old and generate $50,000 in annual sales

Various loans for small businesses, local company

Provides up to $250 million in loans to Colorado small businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic through 2023.

Help small to medium-sized Colorado businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These loans range from $5,000 to $750,000.

Organization that brings together small business owners to tackle systemic challenges. Build programs and solutions that help empower growth

Minority, women and veteran-owned businesses; for-profit businesses that contribute to the economic diversity and success of minority communities in Colorado or non-minority-owned business that strongly supports the minority-owned business community in Colorado.

Commercialization Program - for small businesses to commercialize their technology, manage risk, and improve cybersecurity Cyber Cover Your Assets Program - helps small and medium-sized businesses solve cybersecurity challenges including cloud computing, social media, and securing technology to meet compliance standards in government contracting

Program for domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization

Primarily consulting and workshops

Outline for business ethos when purchasing products

Discover savings with smarter energy use and an array of programs designed to help businesses like yours reduce energy use.

Commercial customers can receive rebates up to $50,000 if they meet all eligibility requirements. Rebate amounts vary on amount of energy used and how shaded an area is.

For women-owned and economically disadvantaged women-owned businesses, for businesses owned by at least 51% women US citizens, third party certification is also possible through this site, along with assistants through research partners

Companies that join by purchasing the Industry and Manufacturer Membership receive a marketing service of a logo in a quarterly newsletter, banner ad on website, and feature spotlight in newsletter. They also receive access to the LLYLI tool kit & other resources

Enables owners of eligible commercial and industrial buildings to finance up to 100% of energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation eligible improvements.

Tips for how to reduce home energy bills

Nine-year program designed to help firms owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Once certified, program participants are eligible to receive federal contracting preferences and training and technical assistance

Makes a business eligible to compete for federal contracts reserved for the program's certified participants. Contracts are for goods and services in specific industries where WOSBs are underrepresented

Register as a small disadvantaged business to contract with the federal government

Free online small business resource guide with helpful tips and instructions

A financial health platform for small businesses that allows entrepreneurs to see potential financing options they may qualify for before applying

A variety of small business financing products to help small businesses thrive in today’s economy. CEDS Finance looks to support underserved populations

Due diligence tools

The MBEC is a free bilingual (English & Spanish) center that provides business owners and entrepreneurs easy access to business service providers, resources, mentorship and specialty training.

For Fort Collins houses tools and resources aimed at supporting businesses, including free marketing and business tools. It also encourages the community to support our local business community by shopping local and shopping safely.

A regional talent and workforce ecosystem across Northern Colorado, led by 25+ organizations in Larimer and Weld counties.Working to align workforce and talent issues and opportunities throughout the region.

A helpful guide for businesses needing to navigate and mitigate impacts from adjacent City capital projects and other major roadwork. It is a list of suggestions as well as a short resource directory offering the best contact information for whatever arises

Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development (LCEWD),  The Workforce Center connects jobseekers to meaningful work and businesses to talent and resources.

Skill Advance Colorado Job Training Grant/ This grant helps businesses and nonprofits create customized job training for employees. The funds are broken down into Colorado First funds and Existing Industry funds. Colorado First grant funds customized training only for net new hires at companies relocating to or expanding in Colorado. Existing Industry grant funds customized training to help established Colorado companies and nonprofits remain competitive in their industry, adapt to new technology, and prevent layoffs.

The Historic Preservation Division promotes a World Class community by working collaboratively with the community to advance the economic, cultural and environmental qualities of the city through preserving, enhancing, and promoting Fort Collins' significant heritage and saving the places that are meaningful to our residents. We demonstrate our commitment to this collective vision through predictable, transparent, and responsive processes based on best practices, while continuously striving for innovation and improvement.

Colorado APEX Accelerator is dedicated to helping your business start, grow and prosper through government contracting. We help make the contracting process easy.

We exist to provide a community based approach to improving the design and construction industry. Our Focus is on leadership development, business practices and relationships to advance the human centric focus of the industry.

Industry-led, community-supported partnerships that strengthen regional economies and connect people to jobs. 

Providing education and networking for advanced manufacturing, heavy manufacturing and light industrial businesses in Northern Colorado.

Representing Hotel, Restaurants & Beverage, and Retail. Action areas addressing industry issues including staffing, customer behavior, and regulations.

A revolving loan fund offers a gap financing tool for small business development and expansion. This funding source will help improve small business survivability, stability, and expansion, which in turn facilitates job creation in the local community.

Alpine Bank has green energy loans that reduce the interest rate on financing of EVs, charging infrastructure and energy efficiency projects for businesses and individuals.

NoCo Inspire is the platform used by the NoCo Work-Based Learning Alliance. The Alliance exists to align education and workforce to increase sustainable community access to work-based learning by removing barriers and sharing resources. Depending on goals and size, we can help businesses and organizations expand their opportunities through work-based learning by: Building industry awareness and exposure Creatively strategizing with hiring and onboarding processes Developing and retaining the current workforce

Type: Cash incentive For: Businesses considering interstate competitive expansion or relocation projects in Colorado Amount: Up to $6,500 per net new job Time period: 5 years The Strategic Fund Job Growth Incentive supports and encourages new business development, business expansions and relocations that have generated new jobs throughout the state.

The Weld/Larimer Revolving Loan Fund (“RLF”) assists with the financial needs of companies expanding or locating to the rural areas of Weld or Larimer County. The RLF can provide short-term financing for up to 45% of project costs, and may assume a second or third collateral position in order to leverage other lender involvement. The minimum loan amount is $50,000.