Strengthen your team and meet state requirements in just one day with Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) training and certification

Why Apply?

Train up to five employees to meet CFPM requirements

Earn an industry-recognized credential accepted across the U.S.

Strengthen food safety leadership and regulatory compliance

Improve retention and professional growth at no cost to you

Who Qualifies?

Small food-related businesses in Larimer County with fewer than 50 employees. Classes must be completed by March 31.

This opportunity is provided by the Local Industry Grant, Hire Train, Retain (LIGHTR), funded by the City of Fort Collins, Larimer County Workforce and Economic Development, Colorado State University Larimer County Extension.

This holiday season, Fort Collins is celebrating Small Business Season with the launch of a refreshed campaign, Shop Fort Collins. It’s a community-wide call to honor the makers, bakers, and entrepreneurs who bring joy, creativity, and warmth to our city.

Help us spread the word! Your voice helps amplify the impact of this effort and showcases the many ways small businesses shape the heart of our community.

How you can help:

·       Share the Shop Fort Collins campaign on your social media and in your newsletters

·       Use our ready-made graphics, posts, and messaging tools designed for easy use

·       Encourage your networks and customers to make a few small shifts to local this holiday season

Thank you to our partners for supporting including, Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, Visit Fort Collins, the Downtown Development Authority, North Fort Collins Business Association, Larimer Small Business Development Center, Larimer County Economic & Workforce Development, and the Better Business Bureau serving Northern Colorado and Wyoming.

Commissary kitchens are shared commercial spaces that meet health and safety standards, giving food entrepreneurs access to professional equipment and storage without the cost of their own facility. They are essential for food trucks, caterers, bakers, meal-prep businesses, pop-ups, food manufacturing, and more.

The City of Fort Collins is working to better understand how to support the long-term solvency of food-based businesses and the kitchens that anchor them, while strengthening collaboration among compliance and business support organizations.

We’d love to hear from you if:

• You currently use, or have previously used, a commissary kitchen in or out of town
• You currently operate, or have previously operated, a commercial kitchen of any kind

This input helps us assess current barriers and explore potential solutions.

If you can, please help us spread the word. These surveys are a chance to share experiences and are completely anonymous, so respondents can be honest without fear of reprisal. We simply want to understand what’s true so we can explore what’s possible.

Please share these survey links with anyone who may be interested. The same links include both English and Spanish versions. 

• Kitchen User Survey
• Kitchen Operator Survey

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!

Amplify AI — AI with Integrity. Innovation with Impact.
Tuesday, January 20, 2025 | Embassy Suites, Loveland

Join us to explore the power and potential of artificial intelligence – from big ideas to real-world applications that drive results.

Morning Session

7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Tickets: $55 (includes hot breakfast)
Expert Speakers & Local Thought Leader Panel – Hear from regional AI innovators, business leaders, and educators on how AI is shaping the future of work, marketing, and entrepreneurship. 

Register Here

Afternoon AI Pitch Competition

Watch innovative small businesses compete for up to $50,000 in AWS services.

Small Business Pitch Applications

Attendee Registration

APPLICATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2026 AT 11:59PM

The Business Development Training Academy (BDTA) 100-level courses are eight-week courses that will provide a high-level overview of the DEN procurement process covering numerous important topics related to securing contract work at Denver International Airport (DEN). See our website for a full list of topics for each course. These courses are ideal for businesses that have limited or no experience at DEN and would like to learn the key knowledge and skills needed to secure and complete contracts at DEN.

Ready to move from stuck to strategic? The Make it Accelerator is now accepting applications for its Spring 2026 cohort!

Led by The Warehouse Business Accelerator, this 4-month hybrid program delivers expert coaching, peer support, and a clear roadmap to help small manufacturers scale smarter.

• Cohort learning + 1:1 mentorship
• Strategic growth planning
• One year of post-program support

Info sessions available – join to learn more!

Let’s build the future of manufacturing – together.

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.

"Small businesses that plan ahead will be best positioned to navigate the changes ahead." 

In this Small Business Update, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley talks with CO—Editor-in-Chief Jeanette Mulvey about key economic trends and policy updates affecting small businesses next year, including taxes, tariffs, AI, and emerging technologies. 

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.

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.

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!