Founded in 1976, Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) is an award-winning nonprofit small business lender and certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides loans up to $1,000,000 to Colorado-based small businesses and startups unable to secure traditional bank financing. With a mission to accelerate community prosperity by supporting small business and economic development, CEF has loaned over $167 million to more than 6,500 businesses to help create and retain over 29,000 jobs in Colorado. CEF offers a variety of small business loans with different rates and terms. CEF is an SBA microlender and have specialized loans for minorities, veterans, healthy food access, creative economy, and more. CEF will find a loan program that works for each small business owner. CEF also provides free Business Navigation Services (coaching) to our borrowers. This can include business planning, marketing & sales, finance & accounting, and much more. CEF has provided over 34,000 hours of BAS services to our borrowers.