The Denver Public Library Small Business Resource Center

Return to Business Databases by Topic

Denver Public Library offers a variety of business reference materials, including print books, newspapers, periodicals, and a vast collection of online databases. In addition, reference librarians provide personalized instruction on how to use the library’s databases to locate statistical data and other information vital for developing business plans.

BizBoost: Helping You Find the Right Data for Your Business Plan

A formal business plan is a dynamic, strategic document that outlines a business venture's vision and objectives and provides a detailed plan of action for launching and growing that venture. It serves as an essential roadmap for entrepreneurs, detailing the business model, market analysis, operational strategies, financial forecasts, and an assessment of risks and opportunities. A business plan not only sets the foundation for a solid company by explaining the industry dynamics and competitive landscape but also aids in structuring, running, and expanding the business.

BizBoost appointments offer a specialized service tailored for entrepreneurs who are in the process of writing their business plans and are in need of reliable, current data to underpin their market analysis, financial projections, and overall business strategy. During a BizBoost appointment, librarians assist entrepreneurs in identifying and accessing the most relevant, up-to-date information available through the library’s robust business resources.

Examples of formal business plans (available with your DPL library card) range from pet psychologists to cartoonists, sports attorneys to time management consultants.

Not sure if a Bizboost appointment is what you need? Or do you have business research needs outside of hands-on learning for business plan research? Email your questions to info@denverlibrary.org.

To schedule an appointment and learn how to use the library’s database tools to inform your business plan, complete the BizBoost appointment form. If an appointment request is outside the scope of a BizBoost appointment, it may be canceled in favor of faster service via email reference. Please note: appointments require access to a computer with a strong internet connection, a time when you can focus without interruptions, and a current Denver Public Library card. If you do not have a card, you can sign up here.

During BizBoost Appointments, librarians provide expert advice and instruction regarding the use of the library's business databases. It's important to note that librarians are not qualified to offer business, regulatory, legal, accounting, or financial advice. Additionally, they cannot edit or provide commentary on business plans or websites, nor can they assist with specific software issues. The Web Resources provide a curated list of potential resources for questions that fall outside the librarians' expertise; for more in-depth inquiries or specific information needs, customers are encouraged to submit a reference question to info@denverlibrary.org.

DPL Databases

Business Plan Resources

Business Plans Handbook - An ebook series containing a wide range of real-world (now anonymized) business plans from food trucks to accounting firms, ax-throwing to mortgage brokerage-ing. Great for finding examples of how to approach, structure, and compose business plans.

Directories and Company Information

Data Axle (formerly ReferenceUSA) - A business and residential directory that allows you to find company information by name, geographic location, and industry, including estimated business expenditures and annual sales volume.
Gale Directory Library - Search directories for companies and brands, business rankings and market share, consultants, statistics and business information sources, and much more.

Demographic and Consumer Data

Demographics Now - Contains demographic and consumer expenditure reports that can be customized to any location in the United States. It also includes Experian’s Mosaic customer segmentation data.

Industry Analysis and Profiles

First Research Industry Profiles - Industry profiles providing high-elevation analysis and forecasts. Published quarterly by Dun & Bradstreet, these profiles can be found through a keyword search within the ABI/Inform Database.
Gale Business Insights: Global - Research, analyze, and compare companies and industries with industry rankings, profiles, market share data, company histories, and more.

Statistical Data and Reports

Statista - Statista is an easy-to-use portal that integrates statistics and reports from thousands of sources on topics related to business, media, public policy, health, technology, and many others.

Business News and Publications

ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry (ProQuest) - In-depth coverage of companies, industries, products, executives, trades, trends, and other topics.
Business Source Premier - Keyword searchable database containing popular business periodicals, trade publications, and scholarly articles. Our access also provides for MarketLine Company Profiles, some other industry profiles, and access to a number of popular business publications like Forbes and Bloomberg Businessweek.
Denver Business Journal Portal (Available in any Denver Public Library) - View current issues of the Denver Business Journal, the latest business news, and the Book of Lists; search the archives of Business Journals throughout the country.
OverDrive: Popular digital magazines, including titles like Fast Company, Inc., Kiplinger's, Entrepreneur, AdNews, Forbes (many international editions), Market Watch, Money.

Web Resources

Business Licensing and Registration

Apply for, Renew or Reinstate a Business License - Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations.
MyBizColorado - Single site that allows new businesses to register with the Secretary of State as well as register for license, sales tax, wage withholding, and unemployment insurance accounts.
Services: City and County of Denver - Business resources specific to operating in the City & County of Denver, including how to obtain a business license
SBDC's Small Business Navigator - A first point of contact for new and existing business owners with questions about federal, state and local licensing requirements; also provides referrals to a variety of state and federal assistance programs and local small business training. In addition, the navigator maintains a comprehensive database of federal, state and local regulatory and permitting requirements.
Lex Mundi's Guide to Doing Business in Colorado - Free background information compiled by a Lex Mundi member local independent law firms, providing general information about legal and business infrastructures. They do not purport to be comprehensive or to render legal advice.

Business Consulting, Development, and Education

Business Consulting with the Denver Metro SBDC - Request an initial or follow-up appointment with a business advisor. It’s free & confidential.
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) - This is a statewide network of small business services with three nearby chapters: Denver Metro, Aurora South Metro, and North Metro. Each offers classes, workshops, and individual consulting.
Venture Validators - From Colorado State University's Institute for Entrepreneurship, this is a free program, open to all, where aspiring entrepreneurs meet twice a week for two weeks to test out their new business concepts.
SCORE Denver - Provides counseling and mentoring for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Sign up for their newsletter here .
Mi Casa Resource Center - This organization provides workshops, seminars, and business counseling. They sometimes offer a seminar called "Considering a Business?" View their full calendar to view their upcoming opportunities.
Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute - This organization offers a free information session as well as longer courses that will assist in developing a business plan and identifying funding options to qualifying businesses. You can find information sessions and other events on their calendar.
SBDC National Information Clearing House (SBDCNet) - The National Information Clearinghouse for the Small Business Administration of the U.S. government. It serves the Small Business Development Center network and America’s small business community by providing Market Research Reports, Business Overviews and Industry Trends used in preparing Business and Marketing Plans.

Funding Resources and Grant Information

SBDC Grant and Funding Database - A comprehensive list of various grants, including federal, state, local, and corporate grants, along with specialized grants for women, minorities, veterans, and startups.

Specialized Business Support and Networking

AARP Small Business Resource Center - Information and resources aimed at entrepreneurs ages 50+.
The Commons on Champa - The Commons offers high-quality resources at no or low cost for Denver entrepreneurs
Center for Community Wealth Building - An organization dedicated to economic justice that provides support to small businesses and small business owners seeking a cooperative business model.
Energize Colorado - Energize Colorado provides programs and resources to help our small business community recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn. Sign up for their newsletter here.
The Fax Denver - Envisions East Colfax as a transit-rich, thriving main street with a diversity of housing and neighborhood-serving businesses. Through community partnerships and collaboration with local government, we’re working to create a healthy mix of affordable and engaging places for people to live, work, and enjoy life. Sign up for their newsletter here.
Mile High United Way Small Business & Workforce Development - Focuses on supporting local business owners in Metro Denver, particularly women- and minority-owned businesses. The program offers free consulting services in various areas like accounting and marketing, and also provides financial literacy training and community grants.
SCORE - SCORE is a volunteer-based organization that partners with the SBA. They offer business mentoring and workshops/courses (online and in-person).
Supplier Diversity - The Statewide Equity Office of Supplier Diversity at the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration offers the Colorado Supplier Diversity Navigator, which helps suppliers and contractors navigate the state procurement process. Navigation assistance includes technical assistance referrals, assistance with where to find opportunities and how to respond to solicitations. The Statewide Bond Assistance Program in this office, helps contractors needing bond assistance with state contracts.

Trade and Business Name Searches

Colorado Trade Name search - Search this database to learn if a business name, trademark or trade name is already in use.
Cottage Foods Act - Information from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment for starting a business making and selling foods that are part of the Cottage Foods Act.

Government and Economic Development Consulting

Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) - OEDIT works with statewide partners to create a positive business climate that encourages dynamic economic development and sustainable job growth.
Minority Business Office (part of OEDIT) - The Minority Business Office (MBO) is a team of passionate individuals, partners, and clients working to increase economic opportunity for minority, women, and veteran entrepreneurs across the state.
Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO) Advising - Another agency of the City and County of Denver, DEDO offers consulting and more. This link will tell you more and take you to the link to schedule an appointment with an advisor.
Sam.gov - This is the official site for registering to do business with the federal government.

Economic and Business Data Resources

Business Intelligence Center - The purpose of the Secretary of State’s Business Intelligence Center (BIC) is to gather, secure, and make available to the public vast amounts of data from state agencies and local authorities.
Denver Human Services Data Library - Data to Support Denver Human Services, Human Together, and the Community
Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) - An online database consisting of hundreds of thousands of economic data time series from scores of national, international, public, and private sources.
LMI Gateway - The Colorado Labor Market Information Gateway, designed for users seeking to interact with Colorado labor market, economic, and demographic data.

Chambers of Commerce and Community Organizations

Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce (CWCC) - With a mission to provide women the opportunities to better the community and economy, promote equity in the workplace, and help women grow their businesses and their careers. Sign up for their newsletter here.
Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce - The mission of the Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce is to Empower Economic Growth within the LGBTQ+ Business Community.
Colorado Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (COHCC) - The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Denver supports the development and growth of member businesses through initiatives that encourage and promote business and economic development. Sign up for their newsletter here.
Asian Chamber of Commerce Colorado (ACC) - The Asian Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization based in Denver with a mission to provide economic development and business opportunities for its members. Sign up for their newsletter here.
Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce (RMICC) - Assisting commerce that benefits American Indian Communities through Economic Development.
Local Chambers of Commerce - The Colorado Chamber of Commerce maintains a list of local Chambers throughout Colorado.

Small Business Development Organizations & Offices

Small Business Administration - Colorado District Office - The Colorado District Office serves as the premier government advocate for the state’s 563,000 small businesses and provides support services and programming to all Colorado residents
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) - Created in 1953, the SBA is an independent agency whose mission is to support and protect small business enterprise in the United States.
- For small business contractors and subcontractors, the SBA has a Surety Bond Program that will guarantee bid, performance, and payment surety bonds issued by certain surety companies.
- Find detailed information about starting a new business, government contracts, and sources of financing.

Key Industries in Colorado

Colorado Industry by Demand - A Colorado Future Jobs data page was created to answer the questions surrounding which industries are most in demand in Colorado and in each county; the site is developed through a public-private partnership in the State of Colorado.
Key Industries in Colorado - Contains detailed profiles of key Colorado industries with selected statistics as tracked by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and Trade.
Metro Denver's Nine Major Industry Clusters - The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation provides region specific employment statistics, offerings, and nationwide association resources for selected industries. This link goes to an overview page. To view a specific industry, click the Industries tab and select it from the drop down menu

Business Classification Systems

Business Information and Insights

SEC EDGAR Database - All companies, foreign and domestic, are required to file registration statements, periodic reports, and other forms electronically through EDGAR. Access and download this information for free.
Inc. 5000 2022 - Inc. Annual Ranking of the fastest growing companies in America.
ThomasNet - Search ThomasNet to find manufacturers, distributors and service providers - from Actuators to Zirconium and everything in between.
Colorado Companies to Watch - An awards program to honor second-stage companies for the critical role they play in Colorado as well as individual community economies. These companies are often flying under the radar of recognition.
Entrepreneur - A magazine in print and online with a focus toward small business covering such topics as leadership, marketing, finance, social media, start up, and more.
StartupNation - Practical and insightful articles written by small business owners to help small business owners.