Business Incentive Programs

The City of Boulder has several business incentive programs to support the city’s small businesses and primary employers. Boulder values its local businesses and acknowledges the important economic benefits that they and their employees bring to the community.  Boulder-based businesses also support the city’s sustainability goals.

The flexible rebate program is primarily a business retention tool, investing in Boulder’s high impact primary employers as they remain and grow in Boulder, making new investment in facilities and/or equipment. Boulder’s city manager can approve a customized incentive package of tax and fee rebates.  Companies demonstrate compliance with sustainability guidelines and receive a rebate once they have paid taxes and/or fees. The program can also be used for select new primary employers that are moving to Boulder.

The microloan program is a partnership with local banks and the Colorado Enterprise Fund to provide loans to qualifying small businesses and non-profit organizations in the Boulder market.  The program makes loans available up to $50,000, for businesses with annual gross revenues of less than $2 million.

The Parks and Recreation Employee Discount Program is available to all employees of businesses in the City of Boulder.  Employees can receive resident pricing on annual and multi-use passes at city recreation centers, facilities, and pools.

1. Flexible Rebate Program

2013 Flexible Rebate Program - Application Deadline: Friday, Nov. 22, 2013

The Flexible Rebate business incentive program encourages the growth and retention of primary employers in Boulder by offering rebates for primary employers that are interested in growing and expanding within Boulder. The City Manager is authorized to consider approval of rebates of certain taxes and fees to primary employers in the city, provided that the companies meet eligibility requirements and sustainability guidelines. The program offers a range of guideline options to provide flexibility to potential applicants. The 2013 Economic Vitality Program budget for this program is $350,000.

Please see the application below for program details and sustainability guidelines. If you have questions about the program or would like to submit an application, please contact Economic Vitality Coordinator This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• 2013 Flexible Rebate Application and Guidelines (Web)
• 2013 Flexible Rebate Application and Guidelines (Print)

For a summary of how the Flexible Rebate Program works, please watch this four minute video of Liz Hanson discussing the program at the 2011 National League of Cities Conference.

See which primary employers have received rebates through the city's Flexible Rebate Program.

See annual Flexible Rebate Return on Investment reports prepared by the Boulder Economic Council.

2. Microloan Program

The Boulder Microloan Fund was launched as a consortium of public and private parties including the City of Boulder, Wells Fargo Bank, First National Bank, US Bank and the Colorado Enterprise Fund. The purpose of this loan fund is to address the shortage of available capital amidst a cautious financial market. The microloan fund is intended to supply general working capital to qualifying small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the Boulder market that may not be able to obtain financing through traditional sources.

The fund will extend loans of up to $50,000 to businesses and nonprofit organizations with annual gross revenues of less than $2 million per annum. The total current balance of the fund is currently $325,000 but is expected to grow upon further contributions.

Program Goals:

• Encourage business ownership and self-employment as a means of economic self-sufficiency for low and moderate income individuals
• Bridge the gap for businesses which might eventually qualify for bank financing and prepare them for traditional bank relationships
• Facilitate job creation and retention for low and moderate income residents of the community who are employees of small businesses that would access the fund
• Foster diversity in the business community by encouraging business ownership among ethnic minorities, women, and the disabled
• Promote entrepreneurship and business innovation as a means of harnessing the creative potential of small business and investing in the economic success of the community
• Encourage the development and growth of non-profit organizations who serve the community

For more information or to apply for a loan, contact Lewis Hagler of the Colorado Enterprise Fund at 303-860-0242, ext. 14 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

3. Parks and Recreation Employee Discount Program

(All Boulder Employers Are Eligible)
Under this program, all employees of businesses located within the City of Boulder will receive the resident pricing on annual and multi-use passes at City of Boulder Recreation Centers, the Boulder Reservoir, and outdoor pools. Residents and non-residents pay the same fee for daily drop-in usage at the recreation centers, Boulder Reservoir, and Flatirons Golf Course. The discount program does not extend to recreation classes and lessons. Employees of qualifying Boulder-based businesses must provide proof of employment to receive the resident discount for certain multi-use and annual passes. For more information about the Parks and Recreation Employee Discount Program, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at 303-413-7259.

For more information about the business incentive programs or to schedule a presentation to your business organization, contact the city's Economic Vitality Coordinator, Liz Hanson, at 303-441-3287.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 08:04