Loans for Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Companies

Colorado’s outdoor recreation sector—spanning adventure outfitters, guide services, paddleboard rentals, mountain biking hubs, and RV parks—is booming. Still, businesses in this space face seasonal swings, high equipment costs, workforce hurdles, and environmental compliance needs. To scale successfully, strategic financing is essential.

This guide explores loan solutions for Colorado's outdoor recreation companies, including SBA programs, grants, local loan funds, tourism grants, and specialized lenders—helping you seed, grow, and thrive.

Why Outdoor Recreation Businesses Need Funding

Operating in rugged terrain and seasonal cycles involves costs like:

• Specialized gear (kayaks, bicycles, snowmobiles)

• Vehicle purchases and RV park infrastructure

• Inventory, rentals, maintenance

• Licensing, insurance, safety training

• Marketing and facility upgrades

• Workforce hiring and retention

🏕 Proper funding ensures you can meet demand, enhance quality, and grow sustainably—even in the off-season.

1. SBA Loans for Outdoor Recreation

SBA-backed loans offer flexible terms ideal for outdoor rec businesses:

💼 SBA 7(a) Loan

• Use: Working capital, equipment, land acquisition, refinancing

• Size: Up to $5 million

• Terms: 10 years (capex), 25 years (real estate)

• Good For: Tourism outfitters, gear rental fleets, guide services

🏢 SBA 504 Loan

• Use: Real estate, physical infrastructure, heavy vehicles

• Structure: 50% lender, 40% CDC, 10% borrower

• Ideal For: RV parks, lodge expansions, facility development

🧾 SBA Microloan

• Use: Small gear upgrades, marketing, safety training, signage

• Size: Up to $50,000 via CDFIs

• Great For: Startups, training camps, equipment refreshes

2. Local Loan Funds & CDFI Support

🏦 Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF)

• Loans up to $1 million—Microloans, 7(a), Community Advantage

• Supports underserved business owners

• Named 2025 SBA 7(a) Small Lender of the Year 

✅ El Paso County Business Loan Fund

• $5K–$50K loans for fixed assets, working capital

• Administered by CEF in rural counties 

🏕 Outdoor Recreation Industry Impact Fund (ORIIF)

• Grants up to $100K for hiring/retention in rec & youth programs 

3. Tourism & Outdoor Rec Grants

🌎 EDA Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation Program

• $240 M competitive grants nationally, part of $750 M under ARP 

• Includes Revolving Loan Funds and infrastructure upgrades

🌲 Outdoor Equity Grant Program (CPW)

• Funds youth access, training, stewardship projects s

🌐 Colorado Outdoor Rec Industry Office (OREC) Grants

• Supports workforce training, marketing, business recruitment

4. RV Park & Outdoor Hospitality Financing

🛖 Live Oak Bank RV Financing

• Tailored loans for RV parks, campsite development, acquisitions

• Can combine SBA 7(a) with conventional for large projects

🏞 Sheffield Financial

• Easy finance for powersports vehicles, UTVs, trailers, outdoor equipment sheffieldfinancial.com

5. PACE & Green Infrastructure Loans

🌍 C-PACE Financing

• Long-term property tax–assessed loans for energy, resilience, and water upgrades en.wikipedia.org+1sba.gov+1

• Great for rec facilities like lodges and bases

6. Featured Snippet: 7-Step Funding Strategy

1. Determine need: gear, real estate, or staff

2. Choose funding type: SBA, RLF, RV financing, grant

3. Prequalify with lenders or agencies

4. Compile business plan, financials, cost estimates

5. Submit applications/program proposals

6. Secure terms and close funding

7. Deploy capital and track ROI and repayment

7. Pros & Cons of Funding Options

8. Real Example: Colorado Adventure Co.

Business: High Rockies Rafting (Gunnison County)
Need: Expand fleet, hire guides, build facility
Strategy:

• $75K SBA Microloan via CEF for boats & safety gear

• $200K RV Park loan from Live Oak to develop campgrounds

• $50K Outdoor Equity grant for youth training programs

• Coaching and planning support from OREC and CEF
  Outcome:

• 30% more guests, 15 new guide hires, diversified seasonal offerings

9. Support & Resources

• Colorado Enterprise Fund: Loans & coaching

• Outdoor Rec Industry Office (OREC): Networking & grant programs 

• Colorado Parks & Wildlife Outdoor Equity: Youth training funding 

• Economic Development Administration: Tourism grants & loans

Conclusion: Fuel Your Outdoor Business Growth

Colorado's outdoor recreation businesses can thrive by accessing the full spectrum of funding tools—SBA loans, CDFIs, tourism grants, RV financing, and PACE infrastructure programs. With careful planning, expert support, and layered funding strategies, you can expand gear, facilities, workforce, and reach—while managing seasonality and environmental stewardship.

Ready to elevate your outdoor recreation business?
Start by connecting with CEF for a prequalification, explore RV park loans from Live Oak, and check grant deadlines via OREC and EDA—earmark those funds to power your next adventure.