State Incentives
The state of Colorado offers several incentive programs that are available throughout the seven-county Metro Denver region and the two-county Northern Colorado area.
Job Creation
- The Job Creation Performance Incentive Fund (PIF) and the Enhanced Incentive Program (EIP) provide performance-based incentive payments to qualifying companies that create net new jobs which pay above average wages. Jobs created must be maintained for at least one year and must pay more than 110 percent of the county average wage to qualify. Payments range from $1,000 to $3,000 per net new job.
Training
- The Colorado FIRST and Existing Industry training programs can be used to offset training costs other than the trainee’s salary for companies that are relocating to Colorado or existing companies that are undertaking a major expansion. Existing Industry training grants support Colorado companies implementing new technology to remain competitive and keep jobs in Colorado. Approved training is for transferable job skills that support both the company's economic competitiveness by re-training its workers in new skills, while enhancing the workers' resumes and long-term employment opportunities.
Project Assistance
- The Colorado Economic Development Commission provides state funds for qualified projects. Funds may include grants, low interest, short-term loans, or an interest write-down on a loan. Each project is considered on a case-by-case basis using factors such as the number of jobs, salary levels, location, local participation, and resource availability.
- Feasibility Study Grants - The planning and feasibility study grant program is designed to provide funding to determine the feasibility of a project or to plan for a project. Generally, funding may be provided up to $20,000 per study; however, this amount may vary based on a number of factors.
- Infrastructure - The infrastructure program utilizes federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to construct or improve infrastructure. To receive the grants, companies must demonstrate that the project will create or retain low- and moderate-income jobs.
- Manufacturing - Tax exempt Colorado private activity bonds may be available for qualified manufacturing projects. Industrial development bonds up to $10 million may be available, based upon the credit worthiness of the business.
Sales Tax Refund/Waiver
- State Sales Tax Refund for Biotechnology - State sales and use taxes paid on the sale, storage, use, or consumption of tangible personal property to be used in Colorado directly and predominantly in research and development of biotechnology are refundable.
Tax Credits
- Colorado Aircraft Manufacturer New Employee Tax Credit - Aircraft manufacturers located in a Colorado aviation development zone may qualify for a state income tax credit of $1,200 per new employee.
- School-To-Careers Investment Tax Credit - Colorado taxpayers are allowed to claim a credit of 10 percent of their current year investment in a qualified school-to-career program that integrates school curriculum with job training and encourages placement of students in jobs or internships that will teach them new skills and improve their school performance.
- Contaminated Land Redevelopment Income Tax Credit - An income tax credit for expenses associated with the redevelopment of contaminated land is available for qualified projects.
- Enterprise Zones - The Enterprise Zone Program provides tax credits for private enterprise to expand and for new businesses to locate in economically distressed areas of Colorado as designated by the Colorado Economic Development Commission (EDC). Businesses located in a zone may qualify for ten different Enterprise Zone Tax Credits and Incentives to encourage job creation and investment in Colorado. Additional information, maps, and contact information is available in the Enterprise Zone section of this Web site.
Venture Capital
- Certified Capital Companies Program (CAPCO) - The CAPCO program was created by the Colorado State Legislature in 2001 to provide venture capital funds to new and expanding small businesses throughout the state.
- Colorado Venture Capital Authority (VCA) - The Colorado General Assembly passed legislation that established a Colorado Venture Capital Authority in 2004. The VCA makes seed and early-stage capital investments in businesses from $250,000 to $3.3 million.