Colorado SBDC serving the Central Mountain Region

04/06/2026

A lot of things are going on in Chaffee, Park and Lake counties! Make sure to check out our newsletter to learn more.

Email from Colorado Small Business Development Center serving the Central Mountain Region Learn more about opportunities curated for you, designed by your local SBDC. Hello from your local SBDC! Spr

03/03/2026

Congratulations to the winners of the Chaffee County Community Awards! We had a wonderful time celebrating you all and the work you do. Thanks to our sponsors and partners for helping make the evening special for all the nominees, winners, and community attendees.

02/26/2026

Whether you're just starting your childcare business or ready to grow, this 4-week hybrid program gives you the tools to succeed.

Through self-paced online modules and live virtual cohort discussions, you’ll build skills in:
• Business planning
• Financial management
• Marketing
• Sustainable growth strategies

Each participant also receives personalized one-on-one advising with our SBDC Childcare Expert.

Program Highlights:
📅 Weekly virtual discussions starting March 27 (9–10am)
📍 In-person Mini-Expo sessions in Lake (April 17), Chaffee (April 24), and Park (May 1) Counties
🎓 Earn up to 6 PDIS credit hours
⭐ Opportunity to earn up to 2 Colorado Shines rating points

Flexible learning. Expert guidance. Real results for your childcare business.

https://socgov38.my.site.com/ColoradoSBDC/s/event-function?c__recordId=a0HHn00000TNdj8

02/10/2026

Awesome opportunity from our partners Colorado SBDC serving East Colorado.

AI pitch competition + workshop event on March 6th, in Greeley from 1:30pm-6:30pm in partnership with AWS.

💡 Calling AI Innovators and Curious Minds!

Registration now open! 💥
Join us on March 6 for an exciting FREE AI Pitch Competition + hands-on AI Workshop focused on using AI to build Minimum Viable Products. Whether you’re pitching an idea or just want to learn, registration is open to everyone.

✔ Pitch your AI idea for a chance to access up to $50,000 in funding support.
✔ Learn practical AI skills you can use right away.
✔ Network with founders, industry experts, and AI leaders.

📍 Aims Welcome Center, Greeley
⏰ 1:30–6:30 PM
Register: https://bit.ly/AIPITCHREGISTER
Learn More & Apply to Pitch: https://bit.ly/AIAWSPITCH

01/22/2026

Buy tickets and help us celebrate our amazing local community of local entrpreneurs, changemakers, and local innovators!

https://salidachamber.ticketsauce.com/e/2026-community-awards

01/08/2026

Calling All Food and Ag Founders! 🌾 The Startup Colorado Founder Coopetition // Idea Factory accelerator is BACK with this industry-specific February-March cohort.

Hosted by Naturally Colorado and CSU Extension, this 4-week virtual program is for early-stage entrepreneurs in food, beverage, and CPG who have a concept with demand but need the roadmap to scale.

Why join this cohort? You’ll access high quality programming, a network of advisors and, most importantly, community.

What you get:
• A funding assessment tailored to your business.
• Direct connections with expert advisors across the state.
• A chance to be featured in Startup Colorado’s storytelling program.

Program dates: Feb 23rd–March 20th ⏰ Apply by: Jan 30th!

Information and application found through the link in Startup Colorado bio!

Calling all Colorado Food & Ag Founders! 🌾 The Startup Colorado Founder Coopetition // Idea Factory accelerator is BACK with this industry-specific February-March cohort.

Hosted by Naturally Colorado and CSU Extension, this 4-week virtual program is for early-stage entrepreneurs in food, beverage, and CPG who have a concept with demand but need the roadmap to scale.

Why join this cohort? You’ll access high quality programming, a network of advisors and, most importantly, community.

What you get:
• A funding assessment tailored to your business.
• Direct connections with expert advisors across the state.
• A chance to be featured in Startup Colorado’s storytelling program.

Program dates: Feb 23rd–March 20th ⏰ Apply by: Jan 30th!

Information and application: www.startupcolorado.org/founder-coopetition/idea-factory/

01/07/2026

Opening soon!

We are excited to launch a new, combined grant process for organizations serving the Town of Buena Vista, the City of Salida, and the broader communities of Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake and Saguache Counties. This consolidated approach brings multiple funding opportunities into one application to better support nonprofits across our region.

Grant Orientation (optional): January 21 | 10:00–11:00 a.m. (recording available)

See more here: www.chaffeecommunity.org/communitygrants

01/07/2026

Ascent Launch coming up soon!

01/05/2026

Last call for applications!

Are you passionate about supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs in mountain and rural communities? Do you have real-world business experience — in finance, marketing, operations, HR, or any functional area — and a desire to pay it forward?

The Colorado SBDC Central Mountain region (serving Chaffee, Lake & Park Counties — think Salida, Buena Vista, Leadville, Fairplay, Bailey and surrounding areas) is inviting professionals like you to join our team — either as a pro-bono or paid advisor.

As an advisor, you’ll:
-Offer one-on-one, confidential guidance to small business owners and entrepreneurs — from startups to established businesses planning for growth or transition.
-Help with business planning, financial analysis, marketing, operations, HR, funding prep, and other critical topics.
-Develop relevant workshops and programs to support business development
-Make a meaningful impact on local economies and support resilient, thriving mountain communities.

If you’re unsure if you’re the right fit, apply anyways. We love hearing from folks interested in supporting our business community. Let’s build stronger businesses in the Central Mountain region — together.

12/16/2025

Check out OEDIT's 2025 wrapped! Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Colorado Small Business Development Center

16 Key Contribut

12/11/2025

We’re looking for professionals who want to use their real-world business expertise to strengthen small businesses in Colorado’s mountain and rural communities.

If you have experience in small business ownership, finance, marketing, operations, HR, supply chain management or any business function — and a desire to pay it forward — the Colorado SBDC Central Mountain region (Chaffee, Lake & Park Counties) wants to hear from you.

We’re recruiting pro-bono and paid advisors to help local entrepreneurs and small business owners launch, grow, and thrive.

As an SBDC, we support every kind of business — from the makers, growers, and creators to the retailers, manufacturers, artists, innovators, and service providers who fuel our local communities. So, if you feel like your experience may support another business in the area, we want to hear from you!

As an SBDC Advisor, you will:
-Provide one-on-one, confidential guidance to small businesses and startups
-Support clients with planning, financials, marketing, operations, --HR, funding readiness, and more
Develop workshops and programs that strengthen our business ecosystem (optional)
-Make a measurable impact in Salida, Buena Vista, Leadville, Fairplay, Bailey, and surrounding communities

Let’s build resilient, thriving mountain communities — together.

12/10/2025

Help us by nominating your favorite local leaders!