COLORADO · NAICS NAICS 447 and 457 families
Colorado gas station and c-store projects sit on the I-70 mountain corridor and the I-25 Front Range spine, with travel-center demand layered onto local trade areas. Studies translate traffic counts, fuel margins, inside sales, and food service into projections, reconcile Phase I environmental scoping against site history, and stress-test coverage where the inside-sales mix increasingly carries the model.
FEASIBILITY TRIGGER
Gas stations and c-stores are special-purpose under SOP 50 10 8, so a third-party feasibility study is normally required, Phase I environmental due diligence applies, and elevated equity is expected.
Between FY2010 and FY2026, SBA lenders approved and disbursed 179 7(a) and 504 loans for gas station and c-store projects in Colorado, totaling $145.4 million in approved financing at an average of $812,000 per loan. Colorado ranks #20 of 38 states tracked for gas station and c-store SBA lending volume and accounts for 1.1% of national gas station and c-store SBA dollar volume. 84.4% of these loans were made under the 7(a) program, the remainder under 504. 23 loans have been approved since FY2024.
| Disbursed loans (FY2010–FY2026) | 179 |
| Approved volume | $145.4 million |
| Average loan size | $812,000 |
| 7(a) share | 84.4% |
| Approvals since FY2024 | 23 |
| State rank by loan count | #20 of 38 |
Among the 137 seasoned loans in this segment (approvals FY2010–FY2021), 4.4% reached adverse resolution — purchased, liquidated, or charged off. The national benchmark for gas station and c-store is 4.3%, against 7.3% across all industries. That is broadly in line with the national benchmark for this asset class.
Source: SBA 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan-level data, as of March 31, 2026. Disbursed loans only. See data methodology.
An adverse-resolution rate of 4.4%, close to the national gas station and c-store benchmark of 4.3%, puts Colorado deals in this class on ordinary SBA credit footing. Across 179 loans averaging $812,000, the underwriting question is deal-specific: a rigorous third-party feasibility study is where documented demand and stressed coverage decide the credit outcome.
Every Colorado gas stations and c-stores 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.
The I-70 and I-25 corridors carry the Mountain West's freight and resort traffic, and B:Side's book documents the modern end of the class through the Choice Market financing with InBank, a Denver convenience concept built on fresh food and fuel.
For a national view of this asset class, see our gas station and c-store SBA feasibility overview, and read our related analysis in the gas station and c-store lending research on our blog. Lenders and CDCs can order an SBA gas station feasibility study tested against SBA’s Appendix 7 environmental rules.
Compare neighboring markets: California, Connecticut, Texas.
Public SBA and CDC program records, cited as program evidence
SBA 504 through B:Side Capital with InBank
Convenience store and fuel concept, national program evidence
Denver, Denver County, Colorado
Fifteen-minute scoping call, written proposal inside one business day, firm fixed fee before you sign.
Book a MeetingOur SBA feasibility study consultants prepare fuel, convenience store and travel center studies for lenders, CDCs and sponsors. See pricing, methodology or request a fixed fee quote.
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