Hickenlooper, Colorado Delegation Welcome Funding for the Colorado Small Business Development Center

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, along with U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse, Brittany Pettersen, Jason Crow, and Jeff Hurd, welcomed the Small Business Administration's (SBA) release of more than $2.25 million in spending authority for the Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which the Trump administration previously froze.

"We fought the Trump administration to release this funding because small businesses are Colorado's economic engine," said Hickenlooper. "Colorado's Small Business Development Center helps entrepreneurs start, grow, and sustain their businesses. Tariffs and rising costs are squeezing them. This funding lets the SBDC keep Colorado running at full strength."

The Colorado SBDC is the only statewide, nationally accredited business assistance program serving all 64 counties, with 14 local service centers across the state. In Colorado alone, over $81 million in 2024 sales growth is attributed to SBDC programming.

In March 2026, Colorado's Democratic Congressional delegation urged Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler to take action after the agency failed to provide prompt spending authority for the Colorado SBDC.

"Colorado small businesses fought hard to secure these funds in order to help stay afloat amid President Trump's tariffs, rising energy costs, and inflation," said Bennet. "This spending authority will support critical small business development, which is essential to Colorado's economy and the success of local and rural communities. Although the Colorado SBDC should have received this authority months ago, the state's Small Business Development Center will work tirelessly to ensure small business owners and their employees have the resources they need."

"Colorado's small businesses are struggling with rising costs and the President's reckless tariffs," said Crow. "While I am glad to see these federal funds for Colorado's small businesses released, they should have never been delayed in the first place. I'm grateful to Senator Bennet for leading Colorado's bipartisan congressional delegation to get this done."

"Colorado's small businesses are the backbone of our economy, but under the Trump administration, business owners across our state have watched their monthly bills skyrocket," said Neguse. "That's why I was proud to join Senator Bennet and my congressional colleagues in urging the SBA to quickly authorize 2026 funding for the Colorado Small Business Development Center and its vital programs. Our state's small business owners and families-especially those in our rural and mountain communities-deserve the support they need to not just get by, but to thrive."

"Colorado's small businesses are what make our communities strong - creating jobs, supporting families, and driving economic growth," said Pettersen. "But the Trump administration has continued to withhold critical funding for our entrepreneurs and business owners who have already been struggling under a volatile economic climate because of Trump's tariff regime. I'm glad this funding is finally being released so the Colorado Small Business Development Center can continue supporting entrepreneurs, creating jobs, and helping businesses grow in every corner of our state."

"Small businesses drive economic opportunity in communities across Western and Southern Colorado," said Hurd. "From rural main streets to growing local industries, entrepreneurs rely on organizations like the Colorado Small Business Development Center for practical guidance, technical assistance, and resources to help them succeed. I joined my colleagues in urging for the release of these funds because Colorado businesses deserve timely access to the resources Congress already approved. I'm glad this funding has now been released so the Colorado SBDC can continue supporting small businesses and rural communities."

The text of the March 2026 letter is available HERE. Learn more about the Colorado SBDC HERE.

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