Colorado businesses took out 4,808 SBA 7(a) loans worth $2.75B in fiscal years 2024 to 2026, counting only loans that were not cancelled. That ranks 12th of 52 by number of loans and 11th by dollars. The median loan was $249K at a median starting rate of 10.00%. In FY2026 alone, lenders approved 1,474 Colorado loans for $893M before cancellations.
What stands out in Colorado
Lots of business purchases
16.1% of Colorado 7(a) loans financed a change of ownership, that is, buying an existing business, against 10.9% nationally. If you are planning an acquisition, Colorado lenders see this kind of deal often.
Bigger loans than average
The median 7(a) loan in Colorado was $249K, above the national median of $175K. 43.3% of Colorado loans were $150,000 or less (49.0% nationally) and 16.4% were $1 million or more (13.6% nationally). Business purchases (16.1% of Colorado loans) and franchises (11.5%) are two of the usual drivers of bigger tickets.
A steeper FY2026 drop than the country
Colorado approvals went from 2,242 in FY2025 to 1,474 in FY2026 (−34.3%), against −28.1% nationally. Dollar volume moved from $1.21B to $893M, so the fall was concentrated in smaller loans: the median Colorado loan was $284K in FY2026 against $200K in FY2024.
What a typical Colorado SBA loan looks like
| FY2024-FY2026, not cancelled | Colorado | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median loan | $249K | $175K |
| Average loan | $572K | $508K |
| Median starting rate | 10.00% | 10.25% |
| Variable-rate loans | 84.9% | 86.4% |
| Median term | 120 months | 120 months |
| Loans of $150K or less | 43.3% | 49.0% |
| Loans of $500K or less | 71.4% | 76.9% |
| Loans of $1M or more | 16.4% | 13.6% |
| Startups (loan opens the business) | 17.6% | 16.1% |
| Startups and businesses 2 years old or less | 34.6% | 32.0% |
| Change of ownership (buying a business) | 16.1% | 10.9% |
| Franchise businesses | 11.5% | 11.0% |
| SBA Express loans | 27.9% | 35.8% |
| Jobs supported (reported at approval) | 48,365 | 1,733,816 |
Most frequent franchise brands among Colorado 7(a) loans: Scenthound (12), Hotworx (11).
Colorado SBA 7(a) loans by fiscal year
SBA fiscal years run October to September, so FY2026 covers October 2025 through September 2026. "Approved" counts every loan SBA guaranteed, the basis of SBA's own published totals; "not cancelled" drops loans that were later cancelled before or after funding. FY2026 loans are recent, so some of them may still be cancelled.
| FY2024 | FY2025 | FY2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 1,797 | 2,242 | 1,474 |
| Dollars approved | $936M | $1.21B | $893M |
| Loans not cancelled | 1,637 | 1,877 | 1,294 |
| Median loan | $200K | $250K | $284K |
| Median rate | 11.00% | 10.00% | 9.25% |
| Loans of $150K or less | 47.5% | 43.4% | 37.7% |
| SBA Express share | 28.9% | 26.9% | 28.1% |
FY2026 approvals in Colorado changed by −34.3% from FY2025; nationally the change was −28.1%. See why SBA lending fell in FY2026.
Top SBA 7(a) lenders in Colorado
| Lender | Loans | Share of state |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Huntington National Bank | 676 | 14.1% |
| 2. U.S. Bank, National Association | 443 | 9.2% |
| 3. Live Oak Banking Company | 249 | 5.2% |
| 4. Newtek Bank, National Association | 218 | 4.5% |
| 5. Zions Bancorporation, National Association | 206 | 4.3% |
| 6. Readycap Lending, LLC | 182 | 3.8% |
| 7. Wells Fargo Bank National Association | 178 | 3.7% |
| 8. JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association | 173 | 3.6% |
| 9. Northeast Bank | 153 | 3.2% |
| 10. KeyBank National Association | 140 | 2.9% |
Industries that borrow most in Colorado
| Sector | Loans | Share | Median loan | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 810 | 16.8% | $200K | 10.25% |
| Retail | 598 | 12.4% | $336K | 10.00% |
| Restaurants and hotels | 576 | 12.0% | $350K | 9.75% |
| Other services (repair, personal care) | 537 | 11.2% | $197K | 10.12% |
| Professional services | 536 | 11.1% | $200K | 10.25% |
| Health care | 427 | 8.9% | $300K | 9.75% |
| Manufacturing | 287 | 6.0% | $250K | 10.00% |
| Administrative and support services | 253 | 5.3% | $150K | 10.25% |
Where in Colorado the loans go
| County | Loans |
|---|---|
| Denver | 679 |
| Arapahoe | 640 |
| El Paso | 589 |
| Jefferson | 558 |
| Douglas | 371 |
| Adams | 356 |
| Boulder | 327 |
| Larimer | 278 |
| City | Loans |
|---|---|
| Denver | 791 |
| Colorado Springs | 504 |
| Aurora | 258 |
| Littleton | 165 |
| Englewood | 148 |
| Boulder | 140 |
| Fort Collins | 136 |
| Centennial | 134 |
Counts only, and only places with at least 10 loans. No individual businesses are listed.
SBA 504 loans in Colorado
The SBA 504 program finances owner-occupied real estate and long-life equipment. A certified development company (CDC) lends up to 40% of the project with an SBA-backed debenture, a bank typically lends about 50%, and the business puts in the rest. The amounts below are the CDC portion.
| Colorado | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 504 loans, FY2024-FY2026 (not cancelled) | 462 | 18,076 |
| 504 dollars | $470M | $20.82B |
| Median 504 loan | $617K | $742K |
| Jobs supported (reported at approval) | 3,188 | 190,338 |
| Most active CDCs | 504 loans |
|---|---|
| B:side Capital | 275 |
| Mountain West Small Business Finance | 105 |
| Pikes Peak Regional Development Corporation | 36 |
| Preferred Lending Partners | 30 |
| Community Economic Development Company Of Colorado | 10 |
How older loans performed
Of the 2,222 SBA 7(a) loans approved for Colorado businesses in FY2020 and FY2021 (not cancelled), 91 had been charged off by September 30, 2026: 4.1% by count and 0.7% of dollars approved. The national figures are 3.7% and 1.0%. Loans from these years have had five to seven years to season, so they say more about losses than recent loans do.
SBA district office for Colorado
Colorado loans are overseen by the SBA Colorado District Office. District offices do not make loans; they support lenders and borrowers and point businesses to local resource partners. Contact details are on SBA's local assistance page.
Comparing SBA and other funding in Colorado
An SBA loan is often the cheapest long-term money a small business can get, but approval takes weeks and the 2025 and 2026 rule changes narrowed who qualifies. FSE (Funding Solutions Experts) is an independent commercial finance brokerage. We are not an SBA lender and are not affiliated with the U.S. Small Business Administration; one application lets us compare SBA and non-SBA options from our funding partners side by side.
- No fee to your business: we are paid a commission by the funding partner.
- No credit check to apply.
- To be considered, a business generally needs at least 1 year in business and $10,000 or more in monthly revenue.
Read what an SBA loan is and how the programs work or our SBA and term loans guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many SBA loans were made in Colorado?
Lenders approved 1,797 SBA 7(a) loans for Colorado businesses in FY2024, 2,242 in FY2025 and 1,474 in FY2026, before cancellations. Net of cancelled loans, the three years total 4,808 loans worth $2.75B, plus 462 SBA 504 loans worth $470M.
Which banks make the most SBA loans in Colorado?
In FY2024 to FY2026 the most active 7(a) lenders in Colorado were The Huntington National Bank (676 loans, 14.1%), U.S. Bank, National Association (443 loans, 9.2%), Live Oak Banking Company (249 loans, 5.2%).
What is the typical SBA loan size and rate in Colorado?
The median 7(a) loan in Colorado was $249K and the average was $572K. The median starting interest rate was 10.00%, 84.9% of loans had a variable rate, and the median term was 120 months.
Source and method
Figures come from the U.S. Small Business Administration's 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan files (as of September 30, 2026), aggregated by FSE. Loans are assigned to Colorado by project state. Profile figures cover FY2024-FY2026 loans that were not cancelled. We publish aggregates only: no borrower names or addresses, and no figure based on fewer than 10 loans. Full details are in the methodology, and every state's figures can be downloaded as CSV.
Compare nearby states by volume: Washington, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, or see all states.