Nice to meet you!
We are looking forward to getting to know you better, please contact us and let’s get your ag loan started.
Email or call us to
schedule an appointment.
Hours:
M-F 8AM-5PM
Closed weekends and holidays
01. Contact
We are looking forward to getting to know you better, please contact us and let’s get your ag loan started.
Email or call us to
schedule an appointment.
Hours:
M-F 8AM-5PM
Closed weekends and holidays
Or, we can reach out to you.
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If you have been previously denied traditional loans, have little available savings, or do not have enough collateral to secure a traditional loan you can still apply for this loan and you may get approval if you meet other criteria.
We aim to expand diversity in farming, increase participation of next-generation farmers, and strengthen Colorado’s agricultural industry. We are seeking to build resilience in agricultural systems by expanding opportunities and increasing access to funds for individuals and businesses that have traditionally lacked access to loan opportunities. It is our hope that this loan program can provide a critical foundation for experienced growers who are seeking to own their own operation and serve as a foothold into more traditional lending for these businesses. We intend to increase next-generation participation by granting loans not just to farmers and ranchers, but to any qualified applicant who dreams of owning a business within the farm-to-market infrastructure, which includes processors, distributors, and other businesses that provide an economic benefit to Colorado farmers and ranchers.
The first step is to submit a Loan Eligibility and Priority Application to the CDA. We will use the information to determine the eligibility of the application and whether the proposed uses of funds and objectives align with the program. If your application meets the criteria, it will be placed on the waitlist. When your application has reached the front of the waitlist, we will refer you to our partner lender and you will work with them to complete the full loan application. The loan officer will help you gather your information and supporting materials, prepare for the application, and apply for the loan. They will also be your point-of-contact for acceptance, fund disbursement, and re-payment. For more information, visit our How It Works page.
Timing is based on two items. The first is the length of the waitlist. We generally expect to make 2-3 loans per month. Guessing how long the actual wait will be, though, is difficult because of factors such as people ahead of you dropping off of the list or the number of high-complexity loans ahead of you. The second item is how long it takes you to gather the necessary documentation and finish the bank application. The lender will not evaluate a loan application until the the application is complete and all the required documentation is submitted. Some applicants get everything together in a couple of weeks while others can take several months. Once a complete application is submitted, the lender can take as little as 10 days for the lender to review. We encourage you to take advantage of the time on the waitlist to prepare your documentation for submission.
Experience is definitely important. The program is intended to help small-scale growers expand their operation and for growers who are new to owning their own operation get started. While being new to owning their own business, the applicant needs to demonstrate that they have the experience needed to successfully produce the product they intend to sell. A good benchmark is to have at least three years of on-farm or on-ranch experience. For those with less experience, it can be helpful to consider partnering with an experienced producer. Ultimately, little can take the place of direct experience. Working for an existing operation and gaining that experience will put a new producer into a much stronger position to make a go of their own operation.
As a regulatory agency, the CDA itself generally does not have resources to address production questions. Colorado State University (CSU), Colorado’s state land grant university, though, is set up to do exactly that. CSU Extension is the branch of the university that is designed to connect with Colorado producers. CSU Extension has offices around the state, and the CSU Extension agent in your area is available to share insights and direct you to additional resources.
The CDA’s Eligibility and Priority Application is designed to minimize personally identifiable information (PII) to only that needed to make the initial evaluation. The information you provide, such as your phone number, email, and address are only shared with our lending partner. The lender adheres to strict privacy policies in order to protect your information.
We’re here to help. Please email us at Jodi.Walder@state.co.us and Brian.Coppom@state.co.us with your questions or to set up a time to talk.
The Colorado Agriculture Future Loan Program was developed by the Colorado Department of Agriculture located at 305 Interlocken Pkwy, Broomfield, CO 80021. For further questions please call (303) 869-9000.
