City Business Incentives
The City of Lakewood provides incentives that are competitive with those offered by other major municipalities. Each incentive is evaluated individually to ensure it provides a clear public benefit. The Office of Economic Development works to facilitate expansion and relocation incentives, with each package customized to support the specific project. When determining incentives, we consider the following criteria:
• Job Creation
• Capital Investment
• Public Benefit
• Removal of Blight
• Community Investment
Jefferson County offers a favorable tax climate that actively supports business investment, expansion, and innovation, and fosters a stable and business-friendly environment. Jeffco Economic Development Corporation is the county’s designated agent for incentive recommendations and is dedicated to delivering individualized assistance to encourage business retention, relocation, or expansion efforts. Jeffco EDC works in close collaboration with each business to navigate applicable local, regional, and state incentives, and to structure customized financing packages that align with the specific objectives of the business.
Jefferson County recognizes the critical role that primary employers play in driving economic growth. As part of its commitment to supporting the business community, the county became the first in Colorado to eliminate its portion of the Business Personal Property Tax (BPPT) allocated to the general fund. This strategic move demonstrates the county’s dedication to reducing the overall tax burden in order to encourage job creation and capital investment. This exemption applies solely to the county’s general fund portion of the BPPT and does not affect other levies.
This tax relief is just one example of the many incentives Jefferson County offers to attract and retain businesses. Additional programs and resources can be found by visiting the Jeffco EDC’s website.
The State of Colorado fosters economic growth and sustainable job creation by supporting small businesses and facilitating business expansion throughout the state. It also actively promotes the distinctive industries that define Colorado’s identity, including the creative sectors, outdoor recreation, and tourism. Its Office of Economic Development and International Trade and specifically its Business Funding and Incentives (BF&I) division offer a variety of programs to support business expansion, job creation, and economic development in Colorado, especially in underserved and distressed areas. These initiatives include grants, tax credits, loans, training and financial assistance designed to address job creation, foster investment and development in multiple sectors.
Grants
- Advanced Industries Collaborative Infrastructure Grant: Supports large-scale collaborative projects led by Colorado-based advanced industries tech businesses and nonprofits.
- Advanced Industries Export Grant: Assists Colorado-based advanced industries businesses with entering or expanding into international markets.
- CannaBusiness Growth Technical Assistance: Offers free, industry-specific education to social equity cannabis businesses through the Cannabis Business Office.
- Colorado CHIPS Community Support Program: Provides three types of grants to help communities grow semiconductor and advanced industry ecosystems through studies, projects, and marketing.
- Colorado Creates Grant: Funds general operating support for organizations and communities developing arts and cultural programs.
- Community Development Block Grant Planning and Feasibility Studies Grant:
Helps Colorado communities plan economic development projects that create or retain permanent jobs.
- Film Festival Support and Promotion Grant: Provides financial assistance to help communities launch and host film festivals in Colorado.
- Folk and Traditional Arts Project Grant: Supports the creation, presentation, teaching, and documentation of folk and traditional arts.
- Innovative Housing Incentive Program: Offers grants and loans to expand innovative housing manufacturing businesses in Colorado to address housing shortages.
- Opportunity Now Regional Talent Summits: Funds seven regional summits focused on aligning education with workforce needs to create career pathways in high-demand fields.
- Rural Jump-Start Program: Provides grants and tax credits to help businesses start or relocate to rural, economically distressed areas and hire employees.
- Skill Advance Colorado Job Training Grant: Supports customized job training programs for employees of businesses and nonprofits.
- State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant: Helps small businesses grow internationally by funding global business development activities.
- Tourism Management Grant: Funds projects aimed at developing, enhancing, or better managing visitor experiences in Colorado.
Loans & Capital Programs
- Cannabis Business Loan: Offers lending capital to social equity licensed cannabis businesses to build and enhance their operations.
- CannaBusiness Growth Technical Assistance: Provides free, vertical-specific educational resources to social equity cannabis businesses.
- Cash Collateral Support: Helps small and mid-sized businesses secure loans by offering collateral support when they lack sufficient assets.
- CLIMBER Loans: Delivers up to $250 million in working capital loans to small businesses impacted by economic downturns in Colorado.
- CLIMBER Archives: Houses reports and meeting minutes from previous years for transparency and historical reference.
- Colorado Credit Reserve: Assists businesses with limited access to traditional financing by enhancing their credit to secure bank loans.
- Colorado Quantum Fund (CQF) for Innovative Lending: Supports quantum companies with favorable loan terms through a pooled loan loss reserve and refundable tax credit for lenders.
- Colorado Revolving Loan Fund: Offers loans to small and medium-sized businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Colorado Startup Loan Fund: Provides capital through mission-based lenders to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, restart, or restructure—especially those underserved by traditional banks.
- Colorado State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI): Federally funded program that supports small business credit and investment through state-run programs under the American Rescue Plan Act.
- Community Development Block Grant Business Loan: Offers loans and loan guarantees to support businesses in rural Colorado communities.
- Partner Outreach Program: Enhances awareness and access to capital and technical assistance programs, particularly for historically underserved communities, by working with local partners.
- Proposition 123 – Colorado Affordable Housing Financing Fund: Provides grants, loans, and equity investments to support affordable housing projects statewide, including local governments and non-/for-profit developers.
Educational Resources & Business Advising
- Free Online Business Courses: The State of Colorado offers no-cost, self-paced online courses designed to support every stage of the small business lifecycle—from idea to exit.
- Confidential One-on-One Business Advising: Small business owners can connect with their local Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for free, personalized advising.
- Learning Pathways for Any Stage of Business: There are four structured learning tracks to help business owners build skills and confidence throughout every phase.
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- IDEA Learning Pathway: For aspiring entrepreneurs exploring a new business idea. Learn how to test your concept and start building a business plan.
- Startup Learning Pathway: Designed for businesses preparing to launch. Gain essential tools to create a strong business plan and financial strategy.
- Active Learning Pathway: For existing businesses ready to grow or scale. Learn about expansion strategies and accessing capital.
- Exit Learning Pathway: Tailored for business owners planning their transition. Understand how to protect your legacy and develop a succession plan.
OEDIT'S website offers more information on the above as well as a comprehensive search for any other applicable tools.
For most of Lakewood, the combined sales tax rate is 7.5%*:
- State of Colorado: 2.9%
- Jefferson County: 0.5%
- RTD: 1.0%
- Cultural: 0.1%
- City of Lakewood: 3.0%
- Total Combined Rate: 7.5%
*Exceptions include:
In Belmar, the combined sales tax rate is 5.5%:
- State of Colorado: 2.9%
- Jefferson County: 0.5%
- RTD: 1.0%
- Cultural: 0.1%
- City of Lakewood: 1.0%
- Total Combined Rate: 5.5%
In Marston Park and Belleview Shores shopping centers, the combined sales tax rate is 7.93%:
- State of Colorado: 2.9%
- Jefferson County: 0.5%
- RTD: 1.0%
- Cultural: 0.1%
- Southeast Jefferson County Road Tax: 0.43%**
- City of Lakewood: 3.0%
- Total Combined Rate: 7.93%
**Businesses in Marston Park and Belleview Shores shopping centers in southern Lakewood are also located in the Southeast Jefferson County Road Improvement District and must collect an additional 0.43% for a total combined sales tax rate of 7.93%. The Southeast Jefferson County Road Improvement District tax is collected by the Colorado Department of Revenue.