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Business Beautification Grant
In order to assist small businesses in creating a positive commercial environment, the City of Cortez may provide a matching grant for the purchase of materials utilized in the enhancement of a business’s existing facade or primary public entrance.
Projects must be approved before beginning work. Apply for the Beautification Grant program early!
APPLICATION LINK: tinyurl.com/bizbeauty25
Click here for a list of previous projects!
Definitions
- Matching Grant: The City of Cortez may reimburse up to 50% of total project cost up to $6,000. Maximum Reimbursement for 2026 = $3,000.
- Reimbursement Grant: Pre-approved applicants may be reimbursed by the City of Cortez after submitting paid invoices/receipts.
- Pre-approval required: Projects must be pre-approved before beginning work or spending funds.
- Beautification Project: The approved project or scope of work listed in the grant application narrative & budget.
Categories
In 2026, the City updated the program by introducing “Permanent” and “Temporary” project categories, replacing the previous “Fixture” and “Greenery” categories. To better clarify these classifications, the following definitions are recommended:
Permanent – A capital enhancement to the building’s façade that is expected to last more than five years. This category includes all supplies, labor, shipping, taxes, and related costs listed on invoices for a permanent improvement. Examples include replacing windows or doors, installing signage (including window decals), painting buildings, installing irrigation systems, and other major enhancements. This category may or may not include ongoing maintenance required for those improvements.
Temporary – An enhancement to the building’s façade that is not expected to last more than five years. This category includes window painting, window cleaning, greenery and flower purchases, and may also include minor maintenance related to permanent improvements (such as replacing drip irrigation heads or performing minor paint touch-ups).
Grant Reimbursement Policy
Several businesses still do not fully understand how reimbursements work. I recommend adding clear language about the “Grant Reimbursement Policy” in all public-facing grant materials, as well as in the Funding Agreements signed by participating businesses. A separate document containing this language has been included. I also suggest defining the following terms:
Reimbursable Grant – The awarded business is responsible for paying all project costs upfront and then submitting a request for reimbursement for approved project expenses. The Beautification Grant will only accept official receipts and paid invoices printed on business or contractor letterhead. Please provide invoices or receipts in PDF or image format. Only costs that meet the grant’s guidelines, timelines, and documentation requirements will be reimbursed.
50% Match – A 50% match means the awarded business must contribute an amount equal to 50% of the approved project costs, while the grant will reimburse the remaining 50% after the Beautification Project is completed.
Inflation & Reimbursement
Project costs may occasionally increase due to inflation between the time of award and the time of reimbursement. I recommend increasing the allowable inflation adjustment to 10% of the award (not to exceed the annual maximum grant amount).
If a reimbursement request exceeds the ten percent (10%) administrative threshold but remains below the program’s maximum reimbursement amount, the grantee may choose to defer the request until all other approved reimbursement requests have been processed.
After all other approved reimbursements have been completed, and if unexpended funds remain within the total grant program budget, the City reserves the right—but is under no obligation—to allocate remaining funds to cover previously deferred or excess reimbursement requests.
All reimbursement decisions made by the City are final and not subject to appeal.
How does a matching grant work?
Matching grants are grants that require the applicant to match the contribution provided by the funder. In the case of the Business Beautification Grant, the City of Cortez may match 50% of the total project costs up to $3,000. Essentially, the City of Cortez will reimburse a business dollar-for-dollar for approved projects up to $6,000 total project cost. See the example below:
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 |
| Round 4 (if funding available) | September 1, 2026 | September 11, 2026 |
*All applications are due on the date listed at or before 11:59 PM.
Funds are limited. Qualifying requests will be considered on a first come, first served basis, while funding lasts.
Apply for the Business Beautification Grant early!
APPLICATION LINK: tinyurl.com/bizbeauty25
Who is Eligible to Apply for the Business Beautification Grant?
- Businesses and nonprofits located within the city limits of Cortez are eligible to apply for this grant. Home based businesses are not eligible.
- Businesses and nonprofits must be in good standing with the State of Colorado and the City of Cortez. ( Businesses and nonprofits do not need to have a Sales Tax License to apply for the Beautification Grant.)
- Grant funds can only be used on future projects.
Eligible Projects
- Projects to enhance or improve a business's existing facade or primary public entrance are eligible uses of grant funds.
- Projects must be approved prior to any work beginning. Receipts and paid invoices with dates prior to application approval will not be considered for reimbursement through the Beautification Grant.
- Projects must be planned for the current calendar year.
- Beautification Projects must be compliant with City codes and regulations.
- Only expenses used on approved projects will be reimburse, applicants seeking additional funding must speak with the City of Cortez and may be requested to submit an additional application.
Examples of eligible projects include:
For a list of previously funded Beautification Projects visit: https://tinyurl.com/mskxej7c
- Replacing or upgrading exterior fixtures & materials that have deteriorated
- Replacing, improving or adding a sign (*applicants may be required to obtain a sign permit. Permit fees are not an eligible use of grant funds)
- Purchasing outdoor decorations such as seasonal decor
- Temporary window painting
- Window cleaning
- Replacing or repairing existing windows and doorways
- Replacing, upgrading, or adding outside lighting to the public or primary entrance
- Paving or improving gravel to driveways and parking lots
- Adding new awnings or replacing deteriorated awnings
- Resurfacing exterior walls or stucco or molding
- Painting the exterior of a building, including adding decorative murals (*murals that use City grant funds may be required to undergo design approval for grant funds to be approved)
- Payment to outside contractors for any of the above work. (*Contractors must be adequately licensed. Montezuma County based contractors are preferred for this grant program.)
Ineligible uses of grant funds:
- Funds cannot be used to reimburse business for labor hours (by employee or owner) or pay for materials/supplies purchased from the applicant business, including businesses owned by the same parent company.
- Grant funding is only available for exterior improvements of businesses and nonprofits within the City of Cortez only. Home-based businesses are ineligible.
- Businesses owned by the same parent company can only apply for one business per grant cycle.
- Improvements to the interior of the business or general operating costs/working capital are ineligible for grant funding.
- City of Cortez and other government permit fees.
- Expenses outside of the approved project.
- Grant funding cannot be combined with other grants provided by or managed by the City that goes towards the Beautification Project.
*If a businesses wishes to add additional expenses for facade improvement, and has not reached the maximum grant allocation, the City of Cortez may allow for additional funding. Businesses seeking additional funding must speak with the City of Cortez and may be requested to submit a new application.
Program Manager
Helen West, Community & Economic Development Specialist
Email: hwest@cortezco.gov, Phone: (970) 331 – 0213 (call/text)
City of Cortez
123 Roger Smith Avenue, Cortez CO 81321