Colorado Enterprise Fund
Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and small business lender based in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 1976, CEF provides specialized financing and support services to entrepreneurs and small businesses that do not qualify for traditional bank financing. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity focused on urban and community economic development.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$78.7M
+12.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.9M
+199.3% YoY
Grant Count
45
-10.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$43K
+232.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To accelerate community prosperity by financing and supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses.
CEF's primary focus areas include:
- Small Business Lending: Providing flexible, fixed-rate loans ranging from $10,000 to $1,000,000 for working capital, equipment, inventory, business purchases, property improvements, business debt consolidation, gap financing, and commercial real estate
- Community Economic Development: Targeting low-income and minority small business owners excluded from mainstream bank financing and entrepreneurial networks
- Business Support Services: Offering free Business Navigation Services (coaching) covering business planning, marketing and sales, finance and accounting, and other business development areas
- Job Creation and Community Development: Supporting generational wealth building and economic growth across Colorado
Grantmaking
CEF operates primarily as a lender rather than a traditional grantmaker. However, the organization accepts grants and investments to grow its lending capacity and enhance community impact.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CEF serves entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the state of Colorado, with statewide reach.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $70,114,897
- Total Revenue: $18,269,112
- Total Expenses: $10,805,892
- Number of Employees: 39
Historical Impact:
- Over $369 million in capital disbursed to more than 9,500 businesses
- Over 35,000 jobs created and retained in Colorado
- Over 62,000 hours of business education and coaching provided to borrowers
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $78,725,779 | $70,114,897 | $67,369,528 |
| Revenue | $24,012,822 | $18,269,112 | $16,879,154 |
| Expenses | $13,173,847 | $10,805,892 | $10,206,734 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $869,748 | $285,542 | $10,549 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
195 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Arkansas Valley Adventures Llc ($100,000), Avid4 Adventure Inc ($100,000), Big Agnes Inc ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 3RD BIRD COLLECTIVE LLC DENVER, CO | SMALL BIZ GROWTH | $10,000 |
| ABOLABS LLC NORTHGLENN, CO | UNDERSERVED BUSINESS | $8,143 |
| AMERICAN MOUNTAIN GUIDES ASSOCIATIO BOULDER, CO | DISASTER RECOVERY | $97,664 |
| ARKANSAS VALLEY ADVENTURES LLC BRECKENRIDGE, CO | DISASTER RECOVERY | $100,000 |
| ART SPARK WHEEL LLC PARKER, CO | UNDERSERVED BUSINESS | $10,000 |
| AVID4 ADVENTURE INC BOULDER, CO | DISASTER RECOVERY | $100,000 |
| BAR LYSSA INC LOVELAND, CO | UNDERSERVED BUSINESS | $10,000 |
| BIG AGNES INC STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO | DISASTER RECOVERY | $100,000 |
| CAIRN CONNECTIONS LLC RIFLE, CO | UNDERSERVED BUSINESS | $15,000 |
| CDL 303 LLC DENVER, CO | UNDERSERVED BUSINESS | $5,301 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CECILIA PRINSTER | PRESIDENT AN | 40 | $376,073 |
| NIM PATEL | COO | 40 | $275,244 |
| LUKE ANDERSON | CFO | 40 | $20,137 |
| DAVE MESKO | CFO THRU 5/2 | 40 | $92,236 |
| LEWIS HAGLER | DIR BUSINESS | 40 | $133,829 |
| JAIONE AXPE | DIR OF BUS O | 40 | $118,209 |
| ALAN RAMIREZ | DIR OF STRAT | 40 | $114,556 |
| DAWN AKERS | DIR OF DATA | 40 | $114,342 |
| KELLY GREEN | DIR OF MARKT | 40 | $108,741 |
| PAUL BUNYARD | CHAIR & TREA | 2 | — |
| BRIAN PEAGLER | V CHAIR & AS | 2 | — |
| ANDREW RUBIN | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| IZZY ABBASS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MIZRAIM CORDERO | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SIMONE ROSS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| KYLE FRAZER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SEAN KOUTSAKIS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LIDDY ROMERO | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| NICK ANDERSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LAURA BLOMQUIST-RODRIGUEZ | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MELISSA BUCK | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**FY25 Annual Report:** CEF released its FY25 Annual Report documenting achievements throughout the fiscal year
**SBA Recognition (2025):** Named SBA Colorado 2025 7(a) Small Lender of the Year
Colorado Enterprise Fund Wraps Fiscal Year, Distributes $18M to Small Businesses**Community Recognition (2024):** Named 2024 Community Lender of the Year - Colorado
Colorado Enterprise Fund Named SBA Colorado 2025 7(a) Small Lender of the**Federal Funding:** Awarded $3.7 million through the CDFI Fund Equitable Recovery Program
CEF Awarded $3.7 Million through the CDFI Fund Equitable Recovery Program**Veteran Support:** Bank of America doubled support for CEF's Veteran Loan Fund to aid growth of veteran-led small businesses
Colorado Enterprise Fund Wraps Fiscal Year, Distributes $18M to Small Businesses**Recent Distribution:** Distributed $18 million to small businesses across Colorado in a recent fiscal year wrap-up
Colorado Enterprise Fund Wraps Fiscal Year, Distributes $18M to Small BusinessesSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Colorado Enterprise Fund fund?
**Mission:** To accelerate community prosperity by financing and supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses. CEF's primary focus areas include: • **Small Business Lending:** Providing flexible, fixed-rate loans ranging from $10,000 to $1,000,000 for working capital, equipment, inventory, business purchases, property improvements, business debt consolidation, gap financing, and commercial real estate • **Community Economic Development:** Targeting low-income and minority small business owners…
How do I apply for a grant from Colorado Enterprise Fund?
CEF operates primarily as a lender rather than a traditional grantmaker. However, the organization accepts grants and investments to grow its lending capacity and enhance community impact. **Grant Supporter Tiers:** • Catalyst: $5M+ • Accelerator: $1M+ • Sustainers: $100K+ • Incubators: $50K+ • Mentors: $20K+ • Supporters: $1K+ CEF also manages loan fund investor relationships for those seeking to invest capital rather than make grants.
Where does Colorado Enterprise Fund make grants?
CEF serves entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the state of Colorado, with statewide reach.
What size grants does Colorado Enterprise Fund award?
In 2024, Colorado Enterprise Fund awarded 45 grants totaling $1.9M — an average of about $43K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Colorado Enterprise Fund's EIN?
Colorado Enterprise Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-0837398. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Colorado Enterprise Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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