Funding Solutions for Colorado Ski Resorts and Hospitality Businesses

Colorado’s ski towns—from Aspen and Vail to Winter Park and Steamboat—are global destinations. Hospitality businesses and ski resorts face seasonal peaks, high infrastructure costs, and skilled labor demands. Whether revitalizing a lodge, upgrading lifts, or expanding guest accommodations, smart funding is essential to stay competitive and profitable.

This guide covers loan and funding options for Colorado ski resorts and hospitality businesses, including conventional and SBA loans, municipal bonds, grants, CDFI support, and specialized programs—helping you build, expand, or modernize with confidence.

Why Ski Resorts & Hospitability Need Funding

Operating in the mountain economy presents unique financial challenges:

• Infrastructure investments: ski lifts, snowmaking systems, lodges

• Capital improvements: HVAC, energy efficiency, safety upgrades

• Seasonality: managing winter peaks and summer lulls

• Labor costs: skilled hospitality and seasonal staff

• Regulatory demands: environmental permits, fire mitigation, ADA compliance

⛷️ To thrive in Colorado’s competitive ski market, resorts and hospitality providers must secure long-term financing and seasonal support that address both operations and capital investments.

1. Conventional & SBA Loans Tailored for Hospitality

💼 SBA 7(a) Loan

• Use: Working capital, renovations, marketing, refinancing

• Loan Size: Up to $5 million

• Terms: 10 years (equipment) or 25 years (real estate)

• Rates: Prime + 2.25–4.75%

• Best for: Remodels, lift upgrades, marketing expansion

🏢 SBA 504 Loan

• Use: Real estate, lodges, energy systems

• Structure: 50% bank + 40% CDC + 10% borrower

• Ideal for: Mountain lodges or resort real estate acquisition

🏦 Conventional Hospitality Loans (e.g., Herring Bank)

• Loans up to $15 million with flexible terms for resort construction, renovation, and refinancing 

• Offer local expertise for ski-in/ski-out, urban Denver, or mountain town projects

2. Enterprise Bonds & Municipal Financing

🏔️ Enterprise Fund & Revenue Bonds

• Towns and ski resorts can use municipal bonds for debt financing secured through resort revenues herringbank.com

• Ideal for public-private partnerships funding lifts, parking, or lodge expansions

3. Grants & Sustainability Incentives

🌱 NSAA Sustainable Slopes Grants

• Open to NSAA members for energy‑efficient snowmaking, recycling, habitat projects

• Past recipients include Eldora Mountain Resort

• Next application window opens January 2026

🎿 Outdoor Equity Grant (Colorado Parks & Wildlife)

• Supports outdoor rec, job training, and community access in ski regions cpw.state.co.us

🌐 EDA Travel & Tourism Grants

• Under ARP funding, supports tourism infrastructure, workforce, and marketing

• Federal competitive grants totalling $240M nationally

🏛️ Gates Family Foundation Capital Grants

• Supports nonprofits and hospitality rebuilds with matching grants in rural and mountain areas

4. CDFIs, Private Lenders & Specialized Funds

✅ Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF)

• Microloans and SBA Community Advantage up to $1M for hospitality, tourism, and rural businesses

🏦 Greenline Ventures & Other CDFIs

• Emergency microloans ($5K–$50K) for minority, veteran-owned, and rural businesses

🏨 Herring Bank

• Specialized hospitality lending including construction, renovation, refinancing, and SBA herringbank.com

5. Municipal & Public-Private Partnerships

• Towns like Nederland have used enterprise fund revenue bonds to purchase ski areas like Eldora Mountain 

• Partnerships help share risk and leverage debt based on resort revenues

7-Step Funding Process for Ski & Hospitality Projects (Featured Snippet)

1. Define project: lift, lodge, sustainability, equipment

2. Select financing path (SBA, conventional, bond, grants)

3. Prequalify lenders or public agencies

4. Complete feasibility, business plans & financial projections

5. Submit applications and underwriting docs

6. Close funding and begin construction/operations

7. Monitor ROI—track usage, energy savings, occupancy

6. Real-World Example: Eldora Mountain Resort

Nederland explored enterprise fund bonds and municipal financing to invest in Eldora’s operations—ensuring revenues cover debt, protecting taxpayers, and enabling upgrades engagenederland.us.engagementhq.comherringbank.comsummitchamber.org+1coloradosun.com+1.

Pros and Cons of Resort & Hospitality Financing

7. Support & Advisory Resources

• Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF): Loan packaging, community lending

• NSAA Grant Program: Technical help for sustainability projects nsaa.org

• Colorado Parks & Wildlife Outdoor Equity Program: grant applications in mountain towns 

• Colorado SBA & SBDC: Free business counseling and loan assistance

Conclusion: Build Resort Resilience with Strategic Funding

Colorado ski resorts and hospitality businesses operate in a unique, high-stakes environment. The right mix of SBA and conventional loans, municipal bonds, targeted grants, and CDFI support provides the financial foundation to modernize, expand, and remain competitive—even in face of seasonality and environmental pressures.

Final CTA:

Ready to elevate your ski resort or hospitality venture?
Explore SBA prequalification, connect with Herring Bank for tailored financing, apply for Sustainable Slopes grants, and talk to Colorado Enterprise Fund or your SBDC advisor to design your funding roadmap.