Blue Sparrow Coffee got funding to provide reusable coffee mugs that their customers could use for to-go orders and then return.
The Organic Salon purchased an ENERGY STAR washer and heat pump dryer to improve energy and water efficiency.
The Denver Tool Library, a center for circular economy in the city, was able to nearly double their capacity with additional shelving.
Preston and James added some color and whimsy while providing bike parking in front of their building.
The Denver Cat Cafe now saves money and energy with an efficient refrigerator for its coffee creamers and other snacks.
Denver is offering up to $10,000 in upfront funding to small businesses and nonprofits. This funding aims to help businesses meet their sustainability goals and improve operations. We are prioritizing projects that help small businesses:
- Reduce energy and operational costs
- Invest in renewable energy technologies
- Promote alternative transportation for customers and staff
- Support staff in learning sustainability best practices
- Adapt to climate change impacts such as extreme-heat days
Limited funding for projects that reduce waste and single-use materials in business operations is also available.
The application for 2026 is now closed. Check back early in 2027 for updates on future rounds of funding.
Eligibility
To apply for this funding opportunity, your business must:
- Meet the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) size standards.
- Have a current W-9.
- Have an active TIN or EIN and be registered with the State of Colorado.
- Have a Certificate of Good Standing with the Colorado Secretary of State.
- Have a physical brick-and-mortar location in the City and County of Denver.
- Home-based businesses are not eligible for funding under this program.
- Food trucks are not eligible for funding under this program.
- Be ready to make purchases and complete the project by the end of the calendar year 2026.
Preference will be given to businesses located in Denver Neighborhood Equity and Stabilization (NEST) neighborhoods.
Your application will require you to share or upload:
- Contact Information (name, email, phone number)
- Business Information (legal business name, physical address of your business, phone number)
- A copy of last year's W9 (the address on the W9 must match the address filed with the Colorado Secretary of State)
- A copy of your Certificate of Good Standing with the Colorado Secretary of State
- A description of your project and how it will help your business become more sustainable and how this will reduce environmental impacts
- A detailed, itemized breakdown of each purchase request with links to the products you want to buy or quotes that show the price
Once you have gathered these materials, fill out the online application in the Submittable Portal.
If you are selected for a mini-grant, we will send you a message stating this in the Submittable Portal. After that, you will begin working with our program partner, APTIM.
You will receive an email from APTIM with instructions on how to create an account to review and approve these documents in their online portal.
- Approval of Scope of Work (SOW), Budget, and Invoice:
- Your APTIM Project Manager will prepare an SOW and budget that shows an itemized list of expected expenses. You will review this and approve it if correct.
- The invoice is NOT the receipt from the actual purchase(s), but a document that shows how much money APTIM will be distributing to you to cover project costs.
- Terms and Conditions (T&Cs):
- Once you approve your SOW, budget, and invoice, APTIM will send you a T&Cs document for signature. This document will serve as the official agreement for your project which essentially says you will use the awarded funds for their intended purpose(s).
- See a sample Terms and Conditions. Please note that this is just a sample, and the city maintains the right to make changes as we see fit.
- Invoice and Payment Processing:
- After the T&Cs are signed, APTIM will process your invoice for payment.
- Payment Selection:
- After APTIM has processed your invoice, you will be notified via email to elect a payment method.
- The default method to deliver funds will be in the form of a check sent through the mail.
- Receipt Submission:
- Once you’ve completed your purchases as outlined in your SOW, you will upload your project receipts into the APTIM portal for approval.
- The APTIM team will be readily available to help you with payment processing.
- Project Extension Requests:
- If you need additional time to complete your project, you can request a date extension directly through the APTIM portal.
Our Denver program team will remain available for any ongoing or program-related discussions about your project's goals, scope, or implementation. Please don't hesitate to reach out for any clarification. We're happy to stay connected as your project moves forward!