Notice: If you are searching for information on small business loans, visit the Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources.
Overview
The Air Pollution Control Division’s Small Business Assistance Program helps small businesses in Colorado understand environmental regulations since many businesses do not have the resources to hire an environmental specialist. We provide free support, education, outreach, and advocacy to help small businesses achieve and maintain compliance with environmental regulations. The program helps small businesses implement sustainability best practices and projects with economic and environmental benefits.
We offer free and confidential compliance support, outreach, and advocacy to eligible small businesses throughout Colorado. To qualify for assistance, your business must have fewer than 100 employees. We help answer questions about environmental compliance issues and sustainable best practices. We offer comprehensive multimedia compliance assistance to help you assess the environmental requirements that may impact your operations, with a focus on air emission reporting and permitting.
Learn more about the Small Business Assistance Program confidentiality policy.
Guidance and assistance
- How to submit an environmental justice summary, modeling (APCD-Form 114), and Air Pollutant Emission Notice (APEN).
- Guidance for different types of businesses A to Z.
- Permitting and compliance guidance for specific business types.
- Ozone nonattainment area implications for businesses.
Industry-specific projects
Guidance for Environmental Standards for Appliances and Building Performance Standards.
- Building Performance Standards and Environmental Standards for Appliances: Applicability and Requirements by industry.
Food waste reduction in hospitals and K-12 Schools.
Resources and strategies to reduce food waste in hospitals and K-12 schools.
Greening the cannabis industry.
- Information and resources for the cannabis industry to become more eco-friendly.
Optimizing data storage facilities.
- Information and resources for optimizing data storage facilities.
Sustainable breweries assistance.
- Information and resources for making craft breweries more environmentally conscious.
Resources
The Small-business ombudsman advocates for small businesses regarding environmental issues. They can provide mediation services, support, and representation to resolve problems related to regulatory requirements, and financial resources.
The small-business ombudsman serves as an advocate for Colorado's small businesses in investigating and resolving complaints and disputes involving environmental regulations. They
- Review state regulatory activities to make sure they’re reasonable for small businesses.
- Help ensure small-business interests are represented during the rulemaking process.
- Help small businesses connect with appropriate resources.
- Coordinate the Small Business Compliance Advisory Panel.
Additional Small Business Ombudsman resources
The Small Business Development Network and Business Assistance Center provide resources for people looking to start a new business. The Colorado Small Business Development Center Network provides comprehensive guidance and assistance for starting and operating a business in Colorado.
Small Business Assistance Program partners
The Small Business Assistance Program partnerships provide a total package of environmental compliance assistance.
Colorado Green Business Network
- The Colorado Green Business Network provides recognition for business achievements in operational sustainability.
Small Business Development Centers
- Provide comprehensive guidance and assistance for starting and operating a business in Colorado.
- Business Assistance Center Hotline: 303-592-5920.
- Email: info@coloradosbdc.org.
- Provides free assistance to small businesses seeking help in interpreting and complying with hazardous waste regulations.
- Generator Assistance Program Hotline: 888-569-1831, ext. 3415.
- Email: comments.hmwmd@state.co.us.
- The Small Business Administration helps Americans start, build, and grow businesses. The administration was created as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise, and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.
- Answer desk: 1-800-827-5722.
- Email: answerdesk@sba.gov.
Environmental Protection Agency
- The EPA gateway to environmental information and contacts for small businesses.
- Small Business Ombudsman Hotline: 800-368-5888.
- Email: osdbu@epa.gov.
Environmental Protection Agency - Industrial Assistance Network
- Small and medium-sized manufacturers can access local energy management support through ENERGY STAR. By joining the network in your region, you will learn about the tools and expertise available to you and have opportunities to earn recognition from ENERGY STAR for your achievements. The network will connect you with manufacturers to share lessons learned and will provide training opportunities from experienced industrial energy managers to help you become a leader in energy management.
Contact us
Questions? Email cdphe_apcd_sbap@state.co.us.
Phone: 303-691- 4951