AT OEDIT, we work to empower all to thrive in Colorado’s economy. We are proud to continue this economic growth in 2025 by supporting businesses, rural communities, arts, culture, advanced industries, and more across the state. As the year comes to a close, let’s look back at our top stories that highlight this impact across Colorado.
Small Businesses “Climb” Higher in Colorado
OEDIT, in partnership with the Colorado State Treasurer’s office, assists entrepreneurs and small business owners in all stages of their business journey with the Colorado Loans to Increase Mainstreet Businesses Economic Resiliency (CLIMBER). Discover how this CLIMBER loan program promotes small business resiliency, creates and preserves jobs, and helps support the state economy overall.
Colorado SBDC: Statewide Support for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
The Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) helps support small businesses across the state, providing confidential, one-on-one no- or low-cost business support. Last year, the Colorado SBDC supported over 13,000 entrepreneurs and small businesses, helped launch more than 450 new businesses, and created and retained over 3,300 jobs. Check out this impact story to learn more about their statewide support.
From Past to Present: Revitalizing Colorado’s Folk and Traditional Arts
Colorado is home to a rich cultural and artistic heritage. In this impact story, we highlight the Colorado Creative Industries (CCI)’s Folk and Traditional Arts Project Grant, which supports the preservation, teaching, and creation of this art that preserves our communities’ cultural heritages. Since 2024, this grant has supported over 70 projects including dance performances, tailoring, sculpture, photography, culinary arts, and more.
14 Ways OEDIT Supports Rural Communities
To help advance the state’s economy as a whole, OEDIT supports rural communities and businesses through programming and grants. Explore a selection of these programs in this impact story.
Did you know the film, television and media industry contributes to Colorado’s thriving economy? To support this economic growth, OEDIT’s Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media (COFTM) provides an array of resources and programs to local industry professionals. One program is the Colorado Film Incentive, which encourages film production, local job creation, and tourism in the state. This impact story offers a close-up of a few projects supported by this incentive.
Advancing Women’s Health with the Help of Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grants
One important resource supporting companies across Colorado is OEDIT’s Early-Stage Capital and Retention (ESCR) grant through the Advanced Industries Accelerator (AIA) Program. These grants provide support to early-stage companies in various advanced industries that develop and create disruptive or unique technologies in Colorado. In this story, we caught up with two ESCR grant recipients to learn how the funding has helped them advance women’s health initiatives.
In the Spotlight: Employee Ownership Showcases A Better Succession Model for Small Businesses
Colorado is leading the way in employee ownership and it’s making news across the state. From The Denver Post to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel to Vail Daily, outlets across the state are spotlighting the advantages of employee ownership for small businesses and the work of OEDIT’s Employee Ownership office.
The Rural Technical Assistance Program (RTAP) supports three rural Colorado communities each year to revitalize main streets and create vital outdoor recreation economic opportunities. OEDIT’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office and Rural Opportunity Office partner with CU Boulder, CSU Extension, and the US EPA’s Recreation Economy for Rural Communities to make this program possible for graduate students. Learn how these students gain valuable experience through RTAP in this impact story.
A Step-by-Step Ascent: Colorado's Leading Role in Space Innovation
Colorado’s multifaceted aerospace, defense, and security industry encompasses a wide range of sectors that contribute to a full spectrum aerospace economy. Take a journey from the ground to the stars in this story to learn how the aerospace industry contributes to the state’s economy.
Colorado’s Creative Canvas: The Economic Impact of the Arts
Arts and culture contribute $19.7 billion in economic impact, or 3.7% of Colorado’s economy, and over 121,000 jobs. OEDIT’s Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) division supports this incredible growth through resources and funding opportunities. Explore the impact of CCI programs across the state.
To discover more impact from OEDIT, visit our news page for additional stories.