Starting a Business in Colorado and Writing a Business Plan
The Colorado Business Resource Book from SBDC has information on forming a legal business structure: Colorado Business Resource Book
Small Business Administration’s Business Guide: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide
Southern Colorado Small Business Development Resources and Counseling: https://www.southerncoloradosbdc.org
Registering a Business Name
Visit the Colorado Secretary of State website to learn how to register your business name: https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/business/businessHome.html
Do You Need an EIN?
Check with the IRS: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/get-an-employer-identification-number
Apply for Permits, Business License, and Sales Tax Permit
Contact local governments directly:
Custer County: http://www.custercountygov.com/index.php?pg=permits
Westcliffe: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/townofwestcliffe/permits-licenses-forms
Silver Cliff: Silver Cliff Government Home Page
Business Taxes
Colorado Department of Revenue’s website on business taxes: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/tax/businesses-page
Colorado Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC)
The SBDC provides no-cost, confidential one-on-one advising, essential training, and vital connections to community partners. From financial projections to marketing strategies, the Colorado SBDC provides expert guidance tailored to your unique journey. See also the Southern Colorado Small Business Development Corp. based in Pueblo, Colorado.
Small Business Insurance
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies’ page on Small Business Insurance: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/small-business-insurance
Business Loans 101
US Small Business Administration: Landing page for SBA loans. Links to many other informative pages.
Colorado Enterprise Fund: For entities that don’t meet traditional financing guidelines
Colorado State Small Business Credit Initiative. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see related programs from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)
Energize Colorado: Specializes in minority/women/veteran owned businesses
CLIMBER Loan Fund (Colorado Loans to Increase Mainstreet Business Economic Resiliency): A statewide program that provides working capital loans to Colorado small businesses. It promotes small business growth, saves jobs, and helps support the Colorado economy.
Colorado Revolving Loan Fund: This fund prioritizes socially and economically disadvantaged businesses and non-profits.
County Demographics
Find Custer County’s Demographic Profile using the State Demography Office’s dashboard here: https://gis.dola.colorado.gov/apps/ProfileDashboard2/
American Community Survey – Data from the US Census, separated into useful categories: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/data.html
Custer County data visualizations: DataUSA