Colorado doesn’t stop at the major metropolitan areas. Rural-owned small business owners in Colorado deserve more in their own backyard.
Are you a rural business owner in Southeast Colorado? We are working on the next iteration of our Rural Streaming Project, and we’ve partnered with SCEDD and local Chambers to launch a survey focused on understanding the needs of businesses across Southeast Colorado. With the results from Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero and Prowers counties, this will inform what’s up next in our Rural Streaming Series.
We are excited to launch our Rural Education Series in partnership with Frontier Knowledge and our co-sponsors across the State.
Frontier Knowledge Rural Education Series
Frontier Knowledge
Energize Colorado
The Deming Center at the University of Colorado Boulder
Green Builder Media
The Rural Colorado Workshop Series
Small Business Majority
Southern Colorado SBDC
Southeast Colorado SBDC
San Luis Valley SBDC
Southern Colorado Economic Development District
OutGrow Your Garage
Trinidad Chamber of Commerce
Training Recordings
Setting a Direction: Choosing a priority & developing a game plan for the next quarter
As a small business owner, it can be challenging to choose a priority and develop a game plan for the next quarter. Business owners commonly try to take on too much and struggle to prioritize. In this session, you will learn a framework for planning quarterly objectives, how to establish your primary objectives and how to track progress with key results.
Watch the recording here.
Focus + Delegation: How to figure out what to focus on and what to delegate
Do you struggle with delegation? This webinar will focus on challenges that include not understanding what resources are available, valuing your time enough, identifying what you can let go, overcoming the reluctance to let go of certain tasks, and not giving clear enough instructions to your team.
Watch the recording here.
Partnerships + Collaboration: Learn to move faster working with other organizations
There is a misconception that using partners can be challenging. Do you find yourself not knowing how to structure a good partnership or wondering what organizations to partner with? In this session, you will learn how to identify good opportunities for collaboration, how to identify the best partners for your business, and how to approach potential partners.
Watch the recording here.
Q&A and Panel Discussion
Now is your chance to ask all the questions that you’ve developed along the way through the past webinar events.
Watch the recording here.
Business Model Canvas Overview
In this session, you’ll learn the key components of a business model canvas, and how this relates to creating your business plan. This will be a hands-on workshop. Be ready to dive in and create a plan.
Watch the recording here.
Questions? Email [email protected].
$75M
IN STATE FUNDING TO EXPAND BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS
120
BUSINESSES CONNECTED TO HIGH SPEED INTERNET THROUGH EC’S RURAL TOGETHER PROGRAM
OUR GOALS
Identify gaps in services and resources. Build effective local partnerships for year-round business growth. Help rural leaders maximize resources and encourage creative approaches to persistent rural concerns. Advocate for and advance resilient, year-round economies in rural Colorado.
$10M
IN CO STIMULUS PLAN FOR RURAL LOCAL ECONOMIES
$3M
REDI GRANTS ALLOCATED THROUGH CO STIMULUS PLAN
DID YOU KNOW?
The State legislature passed a bill to allow the Colorado Department of Education to reimburse schools and child care centers that buy locally produced food. This creates powerful linkages with local rural growers and State institutions.
RESOURCES FOR RURAL-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS
Get Financial Support
Get the help you need to reopen, stay open, and scale your business. Learn about the financial resources available through Energize Colorado, the government, and private agencies.
Consumer Confidence Campaign
The little blue engine that could Can Do Colorado acknowledges and applauds all of the creative business people and employees who have worked tirelessly to reopen, practice guidelines to keep everyone safe, and turn can’ts into can dos! Learn more about Can Do Colorado here.
Rural-Owned Business
Stay connected and network as a rural-owned business The lack of broadband and connectivity infrastructure made it more difficult for rural business owners to pivot and engage customers in new ways. Energize Colorado is committed to building connected rural ecosystems that can thrive all year whether it is, agricultural, energy or tourism growth sectors.
Mental Health Support
Don’t shy away from support during these unnerving times. Our resources are designed to support people along a range of experiences: those feeling uncomfortable in these new circumstances, those facing immediate challenges, and those in crisis. We offer wellness resources, group courses, and access to free therapy, as well as crisis information.
Energize Colorado Mentor Network
Get advice you need from experts across a range of industries and areas of expertise. You’re working hard to adapt to economic changes. You don’t want to just survive, you want your business to thrive. Don’t go it alone – Mentors can support you by sharing their experience, brainstorming ideas, providing insights, identifying resources and […]
Events
Virtual and In-Person Events Explore our Events page to learn about happenings at Energize Colorado and elsewhere for the latest webinars, meetups, and more! Click here to explore the Events page.
Financial assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Services
Agriculturalists and or food producers looking for a grant? Who’s eligible: Agriculturalists and food producers What it is: Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG): Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing economic relief through its CIG program. These grants are meant to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP): […]
OSHA guidance on reducing the impact of COVID-19 for COVID-19
How COVID-19 influences your small business Who’s eligible: Small businesses, rural businesses, and nonprofits What it is: The Department of Labor has published a guide for you to understand how a COVID-19 outbreak could influence your business and steps to minimize the risk of exposure to your employees. Take action: Learn how to prepare your business by reading […]
Get immediate relief for your rural business from the Rural Housing, Utilities, and Business-Cooperative Service
Immediate relief for rural businesses Who’s eligible: Rural businesses What it is: The USDA Rural Development is waiving or deferring specific fees, deadlines, loan payments and more to support the rural community. Take action: Learn what the USDA Rural Development is doing to provide immediate support and relief for rural businesses. From: USDA Rural Development, Federal Government
VOLUNTEERS ARE THE ENGINE OF ENERGIZE COLORADO
We have an active group of 100 volunteers across the State. We’re building a better, more equitable future together.
At Energize Colorado, Megan Moore serves as a volunteer with the rural owned businesses segment.
