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Business Incentives
The Community & Economic Development Department works closely with local, regional, and state partners to assist business development in the City of Cortez. Use the links below to find more information about specific programs and organizations, grant opportunities, and other business resources.
Please contact the Community & Economic Development Department at (970) 565 - 3402 if you have specific questions related to businesses in Cortez.
Sign up to receive occasional emails with opportunities for businesses in the City at: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/5bjQhax
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Helen West
Community & Economic Development SpecialistPhone: 970-331-0213
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Jason Armstrong
Interim Director / City Planner
Business Beautification Grant
In order to assist small businesses in creating a positive commercial environment, the City of Cortez is accepting applications for its Cortez Business Beautification Mini Grant program. The City may provide a matching grant of up to $3,000 for the purchase of materials utilized in the enhancement of a business’s existing façade or primary public entrance.
- More information at: https://www.cortezco.gov/931/Business-Beautification-Grant
2025 Beautification Grant Deadlines
| Application Deadline | Award Notification/Project Start Date | |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | March 1, 2026 | March 13, 2026 |
| Round 2 | May 1, 2026 | May 15, 2026 |
| Round 3 | July 1, 2026 | July 17, 2026 |
Cortez Graffiti Cleanup Grant
To assist small businesses and nonprofits in the necessary removable and cleanup of graffiti, and to create a positive and aesthetically pleasing environment, the City of Cortez may provide a one-to-one match up to $500 in reimbursable expenses related to the cleanup and removal of graffiti.
- More information at: /DocumentCenter/View/4906
Sidewalk Cost Share
The City of Cortez provides an annual sidewalk cost-share program to help residents and business owners either install new sidewalk or replace deteriorated sidewalks on their property. Contact the Public Works Department for more information about this program.
- More Information at: https://www.cortezco.gov/239/Sidewalks
Enterprise Zone Business Tax Credit
The Enterprise Zone (EZ) Program is a program run by the State of Colorado's Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) to encourage development in economically distressed areas of the state. As a business in Montezuma County, a designated enterprise zone, business may be eligible to State income tax credits for:
Specific business investments, like equipment purchases, hiring employees, job training, rehabbing a vacant building. (Farms and ranches are EZ eligible.)
Activities to retain business owners, create jobs, encourage growth, and to attract outside companies to relocate to the area.
- More Information at: https://www.cortezco.gov/892/Enterprise-Zone-Business-Tax-Credits
Turf Replacement Program
The turf replacement program incentivizes property owners to replace non-functional turf and landscaping plants with qualifying alternatives. The program is set to reimburse approved applicants up to $2,000 in project costs for residential homeowners and up to $4,000 in project costs for commercial business owners. Approved projects will need to have a predicted coverage of at least 50% plant growth at maturity to qualify. This program offers funds on a first come, first served basis.
- More Information at: https://www.cortezco.gov/913/Turf-Replacement-Program
Historic Preservation
The City of Cortez is a Certified Local Government and maintains a Local Register of Historic Buildings, Sites, Districts and Signs. Properties listed on this register may be eligible for State Historic Preservation Tax Credits or match grants from the State Historical Fund.
- More Information at: https://www.cortezco.gov/408/Historic-Structures-and-Preservation
Cortez Retail Enhancement: https://shopcortez.com/
Assists business with a City of Cortez Sales Tax License, or that build sales tax revenue in the City of Cortez.
Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center: https://www.coloradosbdc.org/
Assists business in the State of Colorado through workshops, one-on-one advising sessions, and online resources.
Region 9 Economic Development District: https://www.region9edd.org/
Colorado non-profit community economic development corporation that promotes and coordinates economic development efforts throughout Southwest Colorado. They offer a Revolving loan program or "gap" financing to assist small business retention, expansion and job creation and a Micro-enterprise loan program for loans up to $100,000 for qualifying small businesses with five or fewer employees. In addition to loan programs, Region 9 EDD administers the Colorado Enterprise Zone Tax Credit program, has community data dashboards, and helps to administer different State and Federal programs.
Cortez Chamber of Commerce: https://www.cortezchamber.com/
Membership organization to assist business development and networking.
Mesa Verde Country: https://mesaverdecountry.com/
Destination Management Organization for Montezuma & Dolores Counties. Assists tourism related businesses and markets the area to potential visitors.
Montezuma County: https://montezumacounty.org/
Incentives include waiving or reducing high impact driveway permits or fees. Montezuma County does not assess a sales tax at this time. Areas of priority include manufacturing, warehousing, or value-added agriculture.
Community Revitalization Tax Credit: This program provides tax credits for capital projects supporting the creative industry.
Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit: This program provides a state income tax credit equal to 50% of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) paid by the business on the net new job growth for each calendar year in the credit period.
Location Neutral Employment Incentive: This program provides companies that will be approved for a Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit with an additional cash incentive for each remote worker employed in an eligible rural county.
Strategic Fund Job Growth Incentive: This incentive gives a cash payment to companies that create and maintain new permanent jobs in Colorado for one year.
Skill Advance Colorado Job Training Grant: A customized job training program that focuses on companies relocating to or expanding in Colorado and provides funds to net new hires.
Advanced Industries Accelerator Program: These programs support job creation and innovation for businesses creating advanced technologies and operating in one of Colorado’s seven advanced industries.
Rural Jump-Start Tax Credit: This tax credit helps new businesses start in or move into rural, economically distressed areas and hire new employees.
Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)
Creates a positive business climate that encourages dynamic economic development and sustainable job growth. We advance the state’s economy through financial and technical programs under the leadership of the Governor and Executive Director.
- Learn More: https://oedit.colorado.gov/
Startup Colorado
Colorado nonprofit organization that supports rural entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders in 53 rural counties (including Montezuma County) across Colorado.
- Learn More: https://startupcolorado.org/
Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs (SCAPE)
A business accelerator program that works with start-ups and scale-up companies to help them launch their company to the market.
- Learn More: https://www.goscape.org/
Manufacturer's Edge
Colorado’s official Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center, offering grants and technical assistance to help manufacturers grow.
- Learn More: https://manufacturersedge.com/
Colorado Tourism Organization (CTO)
State of Colorado department that seeks to advance the strength and resilience of the entire industry through collaboration, inclusivity, innovation and leadership.