Have you done, or are you planning to remodel or expand your business this year? The Small Business Technical Assistance Program is offering mini grants up to $10,000 to support the meaningful and valuable work of small businesses and non-profits who went or are going through the Building and Development Review process.

The Regional Air Quality Council’s Engines Off for Food Trucks program will pay up to 80 % of the price (capped at $20,000) to swap out noisy, polluting generators for battery systems. The catch - for now - is geography: grant funds are limited to the Denver area (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson Counties). Larimer and Weld aren’t on the list yet, but a food truck qualifies if it regularly operates (and is licensed) in the Denver area.

Why apply? Early converts report lower fuel bills, less maintenance, and a quieter customer experience. More than 30 trucks are already running fully electric, and the program has budget for roughly 100 more conversions this year.

What you can do now

• If you serve Denver markets—even just summer festivals—check the quick‑apply form at enginesoff.org/food-trucks to see if you’re immediately eligible.
• Larimer County and the City of Fort Collins are exploring options to extend funding north; a show of demand will strengthen our case for funding.

Cleaner air, quieter lines, and lower operating costs are on the table. Let’s bring those benefits home!

Special Opportunity for Food Service Providers!  

Food-serving businesses located in Fort Collins can now apply for a $1,000 grant to switch to eco-friendly takeout containers. This is a great way to reduce waste and show your customers you care about the planet. Apply Today!  

About half of Fort Collins businesses are located inside the state-designated Enterprise Zone—but most don’t know it. The worst part? You could be leaving thousands in tax credits on the table without realizing it.

Everyday activities like buying equipment, hiring and training staff, and offering benefits might qualify for state incentives just by being in the right location. We’ve already helped several Fort Collins businesses unlock unexpected savings.

Want to know if you’re in the zone? Reach out to our office—we’ll help you find out!

When Sarah Lawrence set out to turn her skill for supporting people through life transitions into a company, she had the expertise; what she needed was a clear path. Facing the uncertainties of formalizing a new business, figuring out next steps, and securing funding, Sarah turned to the City of Fort Collins’ Economic Health Office and its Multicultural Business & Entrepreneurship Center (MBEC).

MBEC staff listened to Sarah’s goals and helped her map out an order of operations—what to do first, who to contact, and when. MBEC also connected Sarah to a one-time ARPA grant, providing the key funding she needed to put this plan into action.

With her next steps laid out and the funding she needed, Sarah moved from idea to launch on solid footing. If you're ready to launch or grow your business, our MBEC business Connectors are eager to put our tools and resources to use!

Stage 1: Venture Validator 1.0  –  October 23, 2025

The Venture Validator is the starting blocks for your entrepreneurial venture. This 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. The Validator is a 2-week 4 session program where you will:

• Understand who your customer is and what drives their decision making.
• Clarify your value proposition and know exactly what problem you’re solving and how.
• Build out the first half of your Business Model Canvas, identifying all the components needed to have a sustainable business.
• Learn from successful entrepreneurs and mentors as they guide you on your journey.

Stage 2: Venture Validator 2.0  –  November 13, 2025

The Venture Validator 2.0 is a continuation of your customer discovery journey from the Venture Validator 1.0. This cohort-based explored the second half of the BMC to dive deep on if there’s a real opportunity to turn your idea into a business. The Validator 2.0 is a 2-week 4 session program where you will:

• Develop your competitive landscape and see how you differentiate.
• Explore your supply chain and prospective partnerships.
• Build out the second half of your Business Model Canvas, identifying all the components needed to run a sustainable business.
• Learn how to build your Minimum Viable Product/Prototype.
• Learn from successful entrepreneurs and mentors as they guide you on your journey.

Are you ready to break into government contracting or strengthen your current strategy? Colorado APEX offers expert-led trainings designed to help businesses navigate the procurement process with confidence. From registrations to proposals, get the knowledge and support you need, at no cost to you.

Join us at 1 Million Cups every Wednesday morning from 9-10am! This free business group is one of the best ways to access and engage the local entrepreneurial and business support systems in Northern Colorado. We connect aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners to the resources they need to start or grow their business.

 Each week, two business owners give 6 minute presentations on funding, new product concepts, or business challenges they are currently facing. The 1MC Community provides knowledgeable feedback that is clear, actionable, and empathetic. 

Starting and running a company can be a lonely endeavor. 1MC is here to help!

 Free coffee and community every Wednesday @ 9am at the Visit Fort Collins Welcome Center 7 Old Town Square - Suite 100, Fort Collins.

When you're running a business, the right connection at the right time can change everything. That’s where we come in.

A Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) visit isn’t just a check-in—it’s a chance to tap into our network.

We know the people, the programs, and the paths to help you:

• Unlock funding or incentives
• Navigate tricky processes
• Get connected to other businesses, partners, or City contacts

Whether you’re facing a challenge or chasing an opportunity, we love playing connector—and we’re good at it!

Let’s make some introductions. Reach out to schedule a visit

Ready to take your business to the next level? The Larimer County Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers expert-led trainings and workshops tailored to help established businesses grow, adapt, and thrive.

Whether you're looking to refine operations, boost marketing efforts, or strengthen your leadership skills, the SBDC has practical resources to support your goals.

The City is resuming construction at the intersection of South College Avenue (U.S. Highway 287) and Trilby Road.  Specific construction impacts will be updated here when available.

The State of Colorado now requires most businesses to offer retirement savings options—and the Colorado SecureSavings program makes it easy to comply. If your business has five or more employees, has been in operation for at least two years, and doesn’t already offer a retirement plan, you're required to register.

The program is state-facilitated, low-cost, and easy to manage, giving your employees access to a Roth IRA through automatic payroll deductions—at no cost to the employer. It’s a simple way to support your team’s financial future and stay compliant with state law.

Deadlines are rolling based on business size—make sure you're registered or exempt.

Commissary kitchens are shared commercial spaces that meet health and safety standards, giving food entrepreneurs access to professional equipment and storage without the need to build their own facility. 

They are vital for food trucks, caterers, bakers, meal prep services, pop-ups, and more.

The City of Fort Collins is conducting research to better understand the community’s needs for commissary and commercial kitchen space—and we need your voice.

We’d love to hear from you if:

·       You currently use a commissary kitchen, and would like to share your experience

·       You are interested in using one in the future.

·       You currently operate, or have previously operated, a commercial kitchen of any kind.

·       You represent a partner organization with insights on how shared kitchen space can better support local food businesses.

Your input will directly inform how Fort Collins invests in resources to help food entrepreneurs thrive.

Contact Shannon Hein at shein@fcgov.com to share your story.

The Community Resilience Survey is now open for responses from anyone who lives, works, or plays in Larimer County!

We need your input to help improve programs that help the people of Larimer County before, during, and after disasters to meet the needs of the community and to create a more connected and resilient Larimer County!