Business Assistance

Your Business, Backed by Community

Big Dreams, Small-Town Charm

Running a business is no small feat, and having the right support can make all the difference. Our Business Assistance resources are designed to help downtown businesses navigate challenges, seize new opportunities, and keep growing through every season—including major reconstruction.

Whether it’s grants, loans, expert guidance, or technical support, we provide resources to help you adapt, innovate, and succeed on your own terms.

Archuleta County Main Street Grant Program

Archuleta County is providing one-time grants of $500 to $5,000 to help support downtown businesses affected by the CDOT US Highway 160 Reconstruction Project. These grants are designed to provide immediate relief for businesses located in the construction zone and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to Board of County Commissioner final approval and available funds.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, your business must:
✔️ Be located within the Pagosa Springs Main Street District
✔️ Have 25 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
✔️ Operate a physical business location within the district
✔️ Have been in operation for at least one year prior to application

Eligible Expenses Include:
• Rent
• Payroll
• Utilities
• Other reconstruction-related impacts (must be specified and justified)

Important Application Tips

To strengthen your application, be specific and detailed. Many early applications have lacked enough justification to warrant full funding. Here’s what to include:

🔹 What type of assistance you’re seeking – Select all relevant categories (rent, payroll, utilities, etc.) and explain how the grant will be used.
🔹 Steps your business has taken – Show proactive efforts to mitigate reconstruction challenges (e.g., adjusted hours, new marketing, temporary signage, staff changes).
🔹 Requested assistance amount – Must be between $500 and $5,000. Clearly explain how you arrived at this figure.
🔹 Justification of need – Provide a compelling reason your business needs this funding. Include specific impacts caused by the reconstruction.
🔹 Documentation – Upload relevant financial documents such as Colorado monthly sales tax reports (from January 2024 to present), utility bills, payroll records, or other support files (PDF, document, spreadsheet, max 10MB each).
🔹 Plan for sustainability – Explain how your business will continue operating after receiving this one-time assistance.

📎 All applications must be submitted through the Archuleta County Finance Department.

👉 Learn more and apply here

Business Disruption Loan Program

When big infrastructure projects hit, local businesses can feel the strain. The Business Disruption Loan Program is here to help downtown businesses stay steady during tough times—like the CDOT US Highway 160 Reconstruction Project.

The program offers low-interest loans from $1,000 to $10,000 to help cover everyday expenses, keep staff on board, and manage temporary financial disruptions. It’s flexible, reimbursement-based support designed to ease the burden of construction impacts. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis while funding lasts.

Here’s how it works:

• 0% interest for the first 6 months – giving you time to breathe
• 1% interest for the next 6 months – with interest-only payments
• Fixed prime rate after year one – for long-term peace of mind
• Loan amounts from $1,000 to $10,000 – perfect for essentials like payroll, rent, or utilities

These flexible loans are built to help you stay steady—and ready—for what’s next.

This Business Loan Disruption Program is a true community collaboration—powered by the Pagosa Springs Community Development Corporation (PSCDC), Region 9 Economic Development District, First Southwest Community Fund, and the Pagosa Springs Main Street Program. We’re working together to keep downtown businesses thriving through change.

Digital Training & Survival Tools

Thanks to our partnership with Main Street America™, we offer free digital training tailored for small businesses. Think webinars, on-demand workshops, and even one-on-one sessions with experts who know how to tackle challenges in small communities like ours. Whether you’re looking to boost your operations, engage more customers, or adapt to change, we’ve got you covered.

Through teamwork with regional organizations, industry pros, and programs like Main Street America, our Business Assistance efforts focus on strengthening the local economy and creating meaningful opportunities for success. Together, we’re building a downtown business community that’s not just resilient—but thriving!