East Colfax businesses may get $15,000 grants
- City program may offer East Colfax small businesses grants of up to $15,000 to support recovery and improvements. - Eligible businesses can apply for grants up to $15,000; application deadlines and criteria are provided. - Local merchants welcome the relief as coverage varies across neighborhoods; city officials promote the program (patch.com).
Denver is taking applications for another round of East Colfax business grants, with awards of up to $15,000 for shops hit by Bus Rapid Transit construction. (denvergov.org) The money comes through Denver Economic Development & Opportunity’s Business Impact Opportunity Fund, which the city reopened on April 15, 2026. This round covers businesses affected by work on East Colfax Avenue from Colorado Boulevard to Roslyn Street. (denvergov.org, denvergov.org) Applicants can seek a one-time grant if their business is within 350 feet of the city-funded project. The award is $7,500 for businesses with annual gross revenue of $100,000 or less and $15,000 for businesses above that threshold. (denvergov.org, denvergov.org) The city is tying the grants to a construction project that has moved east in phases since work began in June 2025. Denver says this is the final round for businesses between Colorado Boulevard and Glencoe Street, and a later round will cover Roslyn Street to Yosemite Street. (denvergov.org) To qualify, businesses must show a measurable hit to sales. Denver officials told 9News applicants need to document a revenue decline of at least 20% across a consecutive 90-day period, comparing pre-construction revenue with revenue during construction. (9news.com) The application deadline is Tuesday, May 5, at 5 p.m., according to the city’s April 2026 flyer. Denver is also offering technical assistance, including capacity-building training and strategies to manage future business disruption. (denvergov.org) City officials say the relief is meant to offset the short-term strain of a project they argue will bring longer-term mobility improvements to Colfax. The program is being run with The Fax Partnership and Mile High United Way. (denvergov.org) Some merchants say the disruption has already cut deeply into daily business. Kevin Contreras, co-owner of La Finca, told 9News that road closures, noise, water shutoffs and congestion hurt sales enough that the restaurant reduced staff hours. (9news.com) The grant round closes in less than two weeks, and the city is already signaling that the aid will keep moving east with the construction. For businesses on this stretch of Colfax, the current window is the one Denver says will cover them. (denvergov.org, denvergov.org)
