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.
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.
SBA-backed loans offer flexible terms ideal for outdoor rec businesses:
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
Use: Real estate, physical infrastructure, heavy vehicles
Structure: 50% lender, 40% CDC, 10% borrower
Ideal For: RV parks, lodge expansions, facility development
Use: Small gear upgrades, marketing, safety training, signage
Size: Up to $50,000 via CDFIs
Great For: Startups, training camps, equipment refreshes
Loans up to $1 million—Microloans, 7(a), Community Advantage
Supports underserved business owners
Named 2025 SBA 7(a) Small Lender of the Year
$5K–$50K loans for fixed assets, working capital
Administered by CEF in rural counties
Grants up to $100K for hiring/retention in rec & youth programs
$240 M competitive grants nationally, part of $750 M under ARP
Includes Revolving Loan Funds and infrastructure upgrades
Funds youth access, training, stewardship projects s
Tailored loans for RV parks, campsite development, acquisitions
Can combine SBA 7(a) with conventional for large projects
Easy finance for powersports vehicles, UTVs, trailers, outdoor equipment sheffieldfinancial.com
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
Determine need: gear, real estate, or staff
Choose funding type: SBA, RLF, RV financing, grant
Prequalify with lenders or agencies
Compile business plan, financials, cost estimates
Submit applications/program proposals
Secure terms and close funding
Deploy capital and track ROI and repayment
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a)/504 | Long terms, large amounts, flexible use | Slow approval, collateral required |
| SBA Microloans & CEF | Accessible, coaching, underserved focus | Limited to $1M or less |
| Grants (ORIIF, EDA, CPW) | No repayment, workforce/infrastructure eligible | Competitive, time-bound |
| RV Park Financing | Tailored for hospitality Real Estate | May require complex stacking |
| Equipment Finance (Sheffield) | Fast, gear-specific | Higher rates, limited to vehicles |
| C-PACE | Off-balance, long-term | Requires property ownership |
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
Outdoor Rec Industry Office (OREC): Networking & grant programs
Colorado Parks & Wildlife Outdoor Equity: Youth training funding
Economic Development Administration: Tourism grants & loans
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.