FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE: Tuesday, June 10, 2025
CONTACT: Mallory Hoffman at mallory@wilderwinter.com
The highly sought after distinction reserved for mission-driven financial service providers reaffirms Energize Colorado’s commitment to underserved small businesses
Denver, Colorado – Energize Colorado announced today that the mission-driven lender has just become Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Certified, a notable distinction for organizations dedicated to meaningful social impact. Energize Colorado’s new CDFI Certification reaffirms their mission to promote economic development and financial inclusion in underserved communities across Colorado.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s CDFI Fund aims to integrate marginalized people and communities into the financial system. This CDFI Certification identifies specialized organizations that provide financial services, including loans and investments, to individuals and communities that may not be served well by traditional financial institutions.
Originally established during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 by the State of Colorado and its leaders, Energize Colorado deployed 46 million dollars in grant capital and 16 million dollars in loans to small businesses that were struggling. Now CDFI Certified, Energize Colorado is equipped more than ever before to deliver on its mission to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem by driving innovative solutions to bridge the most pressing capital gaps facing small businesses.
This certification comes not a moment too soon for Colorado, as small businesses in the state face pressing capital gaps. Since 2019, Colorado has seen a decrease of nearly 20 percent in loans to businesses whose revenue is below one million dollars, ultimately leaving a capital gap of nearly 395 million dollars since before the COVID-19 pandemic. As these small businesses struggle to find the capital and guidance required to fully launch, Colorado’s entrepreneurial spirit has been tested.
“Colorado is proud to have a vibrant small business community, and partnerships like Energize Colorado support economic growth, drive entrepreneurship, and create a more diverse business community here in Colorado. Through Energize Colorado’s work, more small businesses can access needed funding and a range of services to help them grow,” said Governor Jared Polis.
“Energize Colorado is driven by a deep commitment to support underrepresented groups and underserved entrepreneurs across the state – from our largest urban centers to our most rural communities – and we are moving forward with this new distinction emboldened to advocate for a Colorado that fosters growth and opportunity,” said Bonnie Watson, Chief Executive Officer at Energize Colorado.
“Coloradans work tirelessly to get their small businesses off the ground,” said Scott Romano, Chief Operating Officer at Energize Colorado. “In our work over the past five years, we have seen the immense roadblocks these entrepreneurs face. Through our CDFI certification, we can now expand our work to break these barriers down even more.”
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Energize Colorado is a Community Development Financial Institution that provides the capital, insight, and guidance required for small businesses to take flight. We are uniquely designed to partner with small businesses across urban and rural Colorado to accelerate their impact, truly believing that their success will yield a more vibrant, thriving, future-forward Colorado. Our portfolio of borrowers includes 357 businesses spanning 32 counties, with a combined total of more than 16 million dollars in funding, reflecting our ongoing dedication to supporting businesses statewide.