01. Contact

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.

Info@ColoradoAgLoans.com

303-869-9021

Hours:

M-F 8AM-5PM

Closed weekends and holidays

02. Details

Or, we can reach out to you.

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03. FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a revolving loan fund?

A revolving loan fund is a type of financing that gives small and mid-sized businesses access to capital. The CAFL Program is a revolving loan fund for agriculture-related businesses only.
The fund is a pool of money that can be loaned out to different businesses to start or expand their business.
The fund has a preset amount of money in it. The fund is replenished as borrowers pay back their loans.
As borrowers pay back their loans, new loans are offered to new borrowers. Money in, money out.
If all the money in the fund is on loan to borrowers there will be a waitlist. The first person on the waitlist is the first person to receive funds as they become available.
If there is a waitlist, applicants will be added when they apply for the CAFL loan. This does not mean applicants are approved for a loan, they still need to go through the approval process before receiving funds.

What do I need to qualify for this loan?

A plan for your new ag business or for expanding your ag business.
Details about how your business will operate.
An accurate estimate of how much money it will take to run your business and how much money your business will be able to make with funds from this loan.
Passion, commitment, and a willingness to work hard. There are no easy jobs in agriculture. You have to troubleshoot obstacles, find new solutions, and keep going.
The farming, food production, and other business skills necessary to operate your business. Training, experience, and/or education in your field is essential.
Support. You will need a network of people or organizations you can work with or reach out to when you need help.

What will I need to apply for the loan?

You must be a resident of Colorado and be at least 18 years of age.
A business license, although your business does not yet have to be operational at the time you apply for the loan.
You must own or operate a farm, ranch, or business that provides supporting infrastructure to benefit farms and ranches in the state of Colorado.
The ability and additional resources to operate. You need to be capable of beginning or expanding the operation of your business as soon as funds are disbursed.
You must have the education, training, or experience necessary to operate the business.
You will need to provide a detailed written description of your business that answers the following questions. (To make the application process quicker, we suggest that you write your response to each of the questions before you begin your application.)
- What does your business do?
- What need(s) are you filling?
- Who are your customers and how will you reach them?
- How is your business going to make money?
- What do you need to get started?
- What are the biggest challenges you face?
- What do you have in place to help you succeed?
- How will you measure success?

What types of businesses qualify for the Colorado Agricultural Future Loan?

Farms and ranches as well as food processors and other businesses that provide an economic benefit to Colorado farmers or ranchers. Some examples include:
- Farms and Ranches
- Farmers producing field crops, fruit crops, vegetables, dairy, and eggs either for food consumption, feed, or as a vital raw material
- Ranchers raising livestock
- Poultry and fish farmers
- Beekeepers
Other Supporting Services
- Meat packers
- Processing plants
- Mills
- Hatcheries
- Florists
- Equipment dealers
- Storage and distribution operations
- Transportation systems

What if I have been denied before?

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.

What are the goals of this loan program?

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 new and beginning ag businesses 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.

How does the loan process work?

You will be paired with a personal loan expert who will navigate the process with you. They will help you gather your information and supporting materials, prepare for the application, apply for the loan, and get on the waitlist to receive funds as they become available. They will also be your point-of-contact for acceptance and fund disbursement, and re-payment. For more information, visit our How It Works page.

How long does the process take to receive funds?

The first step is to submit your loan inquiry. When you submit your loan inquiry, you will be paired with your personal loan expert who will guide you through the process. When funds are available loans can be processed in as little as 7-14 days and funds are distributed 5-7 business days after that.

What are the loan terms and benefits, and what do they mean?

4% fixed interest rate. This means that your interest rate will remain at 4% for the life of your loan.
Term notes of 1-20 years. A term note states how many years it will take you to repay the loan.
1.5% loan fee. Example: a loan of $100,000 will incur a fee of $1,500.
Revolving lines of credit up to 5 years. This means that if you make your regularly scheduled payments, you might be offered additional credit.
Up to $750,000.* (*Higher limits can be considered with prior approval.)
Flexible payment terms and deferred payment options.

I have questions about privacy.

To ease the application process, we partnered with First Southwest Bank. What this means is that your privacy is maintained and we, as a state government organization, never know specifics about your background and credit history. A personal loan expert from First Southwest Bank will help you through the process and answer any questions. You will complete the application through First Southwest Bank’s secure loan portal or by filing a paper application.

I still have questions. Who should I contact?

Don’t worry; we’re here to help. Please click here to send us a message, or call us at 303-869-9021 and talk to a real person who can answer your questions. You can also schedule a phone or in-person meeting to get the answers you are looking for.

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.