Business incentive and financial assistance programs are available to support the growth of businesses in Boulder.
To encourage the growth and retention of businesses, the City of Boulder offers the Flexible Rebate Program to help offset the cost of expanding within the city of Boulder. The program provides rebates of certain city fees and taxes and is available to primary employers of any size that meet eligibility requirements and sustainability guidelines.
The Flexible Rebate Program provides rebates of permit fees and taxes paid to the city related to facility improvements and investments in fixed assets to eligible businesses. The program is primarily a business retention tool to encourage primary employers of all sizes to remain and grow in Boulder. Primary employers that are relocating to Boulder may also be eligible for an incentive through the program.
Businesses and nonprofit organizations that meet the city's definition of a primary employer (businesses of any size that generate 50% or more of their revenue from outside Boulder County, excluding hotels, motels, retailers and food service facilities) are eligible for the program. Other eligibility requirements are listed on the Flexible Rebate Program application.
Building permit fees and city taxes and sales or use taxes paid to the City of Boulder on purchases of fixed assets such as office furniture and equipment are generally eligible for rebate. The incentives cover fees and taxes paid over a three-year period. For an eligible business applying for an incentive in 2025, eligible fees and taxes paid to the city between Jan. 1, 2025 and Dec. 31, 2027 would qualify for a rebate up to the total approved by the city manager for the applicant.
Several factors are considered in the review of a flexible rebate application such as the facilities investment and capital expenditures planned by the applicant, estimated economic impact, commitment to sustainability and available funding for the program. Flexible Rebate Program incentives are approved at the city manager's discretion. Since the program was started in 2007, rebates ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 have been approved by the city manager.
To be eligible for the program, businesses must demonstrate commitment to environmental, social, and community sustainability. Examples including paying above average wages, supporting local nonprofit organizations, encouraging workforce diversity, completing a free energy assessment, implementing an environmental purchasing policy, and many more. A range of sustainability guidelines to choose from is listed on the Flexible Rebate Program Application with more detailed information in the Flexible Rebate Program Application Instructions.
To apply, complete and submit an application to Jennifer Pinsonneault, City of Boulder, City Manager's Office, at PinsonneaultJ@bouldercolorado.gov or 1777 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302.
Applications for the current program year must be submitted on or before Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 and will be considered on a first come, first served basis as they are received during the year while program funding is available.
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To help local small businesses and nonprofits that may not be able to obtain financing through traditional sources, the City of Boulder, Colorado Enterprise Fund and local financial institutions have partnered to help provide access to capital and business coaching.
The Boulder Microloan Program provides loans and one-on-one business coaching to qualified small businesses and nonprofits in Boulder that have the ability to repay a loan but may not be able to obtain financing through traditional sources. The program is a partnership between the City of Boulder, local financial institutions and Colorado Enterprise Fund, a nonprofit community financial institution that administers the program.
The Boulder Microloan Program offers loans up to $50,000. In some cases, borrowers may qualify for a larger loan amount. More details are available from Colorado Enterprise Fund.
The Boulder Microloan Program offers loans to small businesses, including nonprofits and women- and minority-owned businesses, located in Boulder. Applicants must meet basic credit qualifications. More information is available from Colorado Enterprise Fund.
Boulder Microloan Program goals include:
For more information or to apply for the Boulder Microloan Program, visit coloradoenterprisefund.org/city-of-boulder-community-loan or contact Lewis Hagler, Colorado Enterprise Fund at 970-818-1690 or lewis@coloradoenterprisefund.org.
The Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade offers tax credit, funding and job training programs to support the growth and expansion of businesses in Colorado.
The Boulder Small Business Development Center (SBDC) works with the U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies to help businesses recover from disasters by providing information, assistance, and connections to federal, state and local grants, loans and other resources.
"We are thrilled to be building a new, world-class brewery in our hometown. The Avery Brewing Company would not exist without Boulder and we can't imagine being anywhere else. This rebate is an incredible bonus. We are so appreciative that the city and the people of Boulder are helping us create what we know will be an amazing attraction and gathering place for our community for years to come."
- Adam Avery, Avery Brewing Company
