COLORADO · NAICS 3121
Colorado brewery, distillery, and winery projects sit in one of the most brewery-dense markets in America. Studies translate production capacity, taproom revenue, distribution mix, and inventory cycles into projections, and position the deal against a known competitive set rather than a growth assumption, reconciling build-out and equipment structures against coverage under stress.
FEASIBILITY TRIGGER
Production capacity, taproom revenue, and inventory cycles make these projection-heavy deals where studies are routinely required, and in Colorado the supply side is the analysis.
Colorado generated 200 SBA-disbursed brewery, distillery, and winery loans between FY2010 and FY2026, worth $124.7 million in approved 7(a) and 504 financing at an average of $624,000 per deal. Ranked #10 of 38 states for brewery, distillery, and winery SBA volume, the state captures 4.3% of national brewery, distillery, and winery dollars. 87.5% of the loans ran through 7(a) with 504 covering the remainder; 14 approvals have posted since FY2024.
| Disbursed loans (FY2010–FY2026) | 200 |
| Approved volume | $124.7 million |
| Average loan size | $624,000 |
| 7(a) share | 87.5% |
| Approvals since FY2024 | 14 |
| State rank by loan count | #10 of 38 |
Among the 170 seasoned loans in this segment (approvals FY2010–FY2021), 7.1% reached adverse resolution — purchased, liquidated, or charged off. The national benchmark for brewery, distillery, and winery is 8.1%, against 7.3% across all industries. That performance runs below the national benchmark for this asset class, a credit-positive signal for lenders.
Source: SBA 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan-level data, as of March 31, 2026. Disbursed loans only. See data methodology.
A 7.1% adverse-resolution rate below the national brewery, distillery, and winery benchmark of 8.1% supports the credit story for well-underwritten Colorado projects in this class. Across 200 SBA loans averaging $624,000, that track record does not eliminate the need for a third-party feasibility study, but it means a rigorous study reinforces rather than defends the projections.
Every Colorado breweries, distilleries and wineries project we underwrite follows the same lender ready process: independent market analysis, site and technical review, and financial projections tested against SBA SOP 50 10 8 standards. Our SBA feasibility study consultants guide explains scope, timing, deliverables, and what lenders and CDCs expect in the report.
Colorado projects most often pencil under SBA 504 because the 50/40/10 structure delivers up to 90 percent financing on owner-occupied real estate at a fixed debenture rate, decisive in a state where Front Range land costs run high. SBA 7(a) covers acquisitions, working capital, and equipment, and from July 4, 2026 eligible borrowers can combine 7(a) and 504 for up to $10 million in total program credit.
Colorado is one of the most brewery-dense states in America, with 494 craft breweries in 2025 per the Brewers Association and 423 open brewery locations as of December 31, 2025 per the Colorado Brewery List, a maturing market where a credible study positions a new taproom against a known competitive set rather than a growth assumption.
For a national view of this asset class, see our brewery, distillery, and winery SBA feasibility overview, and read our related analysis in the brewery, distillery, and winery lending research on our blog.
Compare neighboring markets: California, Connecticut, Texas.
Public SBA and CDC program records, cited as program evidence
$2.8M SBA 504 ground-up through Florida First Capital plus $300K state working capital
7,500 square foot brewery, taproom, restaurant, and event space, national program evidence
Bradenton, Manatee County, Florida
Fifteen-minute scoping call, written proposal inside one business day, firm fixed fee before you sign.
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