Good Business Colorado

What Good Business Colorado does

Good Business Colorado is a Denver-based nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that operates at the intersection of business advocacy, education, and equity policy. It is structured as two affiliated entities: Good Business Colorado Association (GBCA), a grassroots membership organization founded in 2017 representing over 500 businesses across 32 Colorado counties, and Good Business Colorado (GBC), its 501(c)(3) educational arm. The organization serves values-driven small business owners — with a primary emphasis on restaurants through the Resilient Restaurants coalition — as well as minority-owned, rural, and equitable-economy-oriented enterprises that seek an alternative to traditional chambers dominated by large corporate interests.

Its core offerings are non-software programs: the Membership Directory, the annual Level Up Academy conference, the GBC Awards, the Policy Passport civic-engagement program, the Resilient Restaurants working group with sub-products such as the ReHire with Resilience Payroll & Wage Calculator and the Sustainable Dining Program roadmap, plus workshops, webinars, and policy advocacy resources. The organization does not develop proprietary technology products; it operates through its website, event-management platforms, and advocacy tools.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring membership dues from SMB members, supplemented by event-related income and donations via ColoradoGives.org. Specific dues tiers are not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is community-led: the organization acquires members through grassroots networking, peer referrals, events, and advocacy programming, and it engages in state-level legislative advocacy through its member-driven Policy Council and its lobbying partner, Salazar & Associates.

Name

Good Business Colorado

Legal name

Good Business Colorado Association

Website

https://goodbusinesscolorado.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Good Business Colorado is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and membership association advocating for values-driven small businesses — particularly restaurants — across Colorado through education, networking, and state-level policy advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Association & Nonprofit Advocacy

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

Keywords

• Business association
• Nonprofit advocacy
• Policy advocacy
• Sustainable business
• Small business network

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Business owners pay membership dues to join Good Business Colorado. Members receive networking opportunities, the ability to connect with like-minded consumers, listing in the membership directory, access to sessions and webinars, special discounts at participating businesses, and the ability to influence state policy and lawmaking.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Good Business Colorado is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that operates a membership-based business association (GBCA) and a 501(c)(3) educational arm (GBC). It provides policy advocacy, networking, educational workshops, and specialized programs (such as the Resilient Restaurants coalition) for values-driven small business owners across Colorado, representing over 500 businesses from 32 counties. Members gain influence over state policy and lawmaking, access to a member directory, webinars, events, and discounts at participating businesses.

Product overview

Good Business Colorado (GBC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization structured as a membership-based advocacy and education group. It operates two core entities: Good Business Colorado (GBC), the 501(c)(3) educational arm that delivers workshops, roundtables, and tools around racial equity, climate-smart practices, and civic engagement; and Good Business Colorado Association (GBCA), the grassroots membership organization (founded 2017) representing over 500 businesses across 32 Colorado counties, focused on policy advocacy. Key sub-products include the Resilient Restaurants of Colorado coalition (with the ReHire with Resilience Payroll & Wage Calculator and the Sustainable Dining Program), the annual Level Up Academy conference, the GBC Awards program, the Policy Passport Program, and the Membership Directory. GBC does not offer a technology or software product; its offerings are primarily membership services, educational programs, policy advocacy resources, and events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Resilient Restaurants: A restaurant coalition with a vision for a regenerative, sustainable and equitable food service industry in Colorado, providing advocacy, educational programs and resources for values-driven restaurants.

Products and services

• Good Business Colorado Association (GBCA) Membership Recurring membership in a Colorado-based business association for values-driven employers and entrepreneurs. Members gain networking opportunities, listing in the Membership Directory, access to sessions and webinars, special discounts at participating businesses, and the ability to influence state policy and lawmaking. Represents over 500 businesses across 32 Colorado counties.
• Resilient Restaurants Coalition A restaurant-specific coalition providing peer-driven resources, advocacy, educational programs, and partnerships for Colorado's values-driven restaurants. Addresses sustainability, social equity, workforce development, and zero-waste practices. Members include Illegal Pete's, Zoe Ma Ma, Sexy Pizza, Root Down, Same Cafe, Ore House, Montanya Rum Distillers, and Horse & Dragon Brewing Co.
• Level Up Academy Conference An annual two-day conference for entrepreneurs committed to social and environmental impact through their businesses, featuring workshops, panel discussions, and the GBC Awards celebration. Topics include equitable business practices, clean energy innovations, policy advocacy, and community-driven economic development.
• GBC Awards An annual awards program and dinner ceremony recognizing GBC members who exemplify values of sustainability, prosperity, and equity. Features category awards including Community Champion of the Year, Equity Accelerator, Sustainability Champion, and Gold Star Policy Champion, plus legislator recognition.
• Policy Passport Program A gamified civic engagement program that lets members earn points and prizes by taking action on policy issues at local, state, and federal levels, including signing petitions, contacting legislators, testifying at the Capitol, and recruiting other business owners.
• ReHire with Resilience Payroll & Wage Calculator A free tool within the Resilient Restaurants program that helps restaurants redesign wage models and employment structures to recruit full-time hospitality professionals with stabilized earnings and equitable work culture.
• Membership Directory A publicly accessible directory listing GBC member businesses organized by category, enabling consumers to find and support values-driven businesses across Colorado.
• Sustainable Dining Program Roadmap A comprehensive resource library and roadmap within the Resilient Restaurants program providing case studies, white papers, training materials, and guidance on zero waste, composting, water conservation, energy efficiency, and local food value chains for food service businesses.

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and supporting.

• Salazar & AssociatescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSalazar & Associates is a legislative and political consulting firm specializing in lobbying, strategic planning, and policy research with over 25 years of experience. They work with GBC's Policy Council to identify and prioritize bills for endorsement and member engagement, providing expertise in state budget, tax structure, and revenue systems.
• ZeroFoodprint.org (Restore Colorado)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerZeroFoodprint.org employs a Table-to-Farm approach helping the food system transition to regenerative practices. GBC is a partner in launching their Restore Colorado statewide program, a 1% for Carbon Farming initiative.
• Khesed WellnesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental wellness partnership providing free professional outpatient therapy sessions to restaurant community workforce. Each participant receives two sessions with opportunity to continue working with Khesed.
• ReThink DisposablecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical assistance program partner helping food business operators reduce waste and cut costs by minimizing disposable packaging. GBC is a proud partner of ReThink Disposable & Clean Water Action.
• The Alliance CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColorado Emergence Series partner for regenerative recovery. Home to Best for Colorado program serving as hub for corporate social responsibility.
• High Road RestaurantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated a Roadmap for restaurateurs who want to share success with dignified professionals in a resilient industry. Provides social equity training and recognition for restaurant businesses.
• B CorporationsupportingOthersB Corp Certification measures a company's entire social and environmental performance, evaluating impact on workers, community, environment, and customers.
• Local First FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManaging Resilient Restaurants' first community-wide dinnerware lending program. Supports local food systems and sustainable business practices.
• Table To Farm CompostsupportingOthersColorado composting partner providing food waste diversion services for restaurant members.
• Colorado Environmental Leadership ProgramsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide environmental recognition and reward program offering benefits and incentives to members going beyond compliance with environmental regulations.
• Colorado Black Chamber of CommercesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizational ally providing advocacy support and representing Black-owned businesses in Colorado.
• Queer Business AlliancesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizational ally supporting LGBTQ+ business owners and advocating for equitable policies.
• Latino Chamber of Commerce of PueblosupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizational ally representing Latino businesses in Pueblo, CO and supporting inclusive economic development.
• Scraps Mile High CompostingsupportingOthersComposting services partner for restaurant waste diversion in the Denver metro area.
• Compost ColoradosupportingOthersStatewide composting partner supporting food waste reduction initiatives.
• Boss DefrostsupportingOthersWater-saving device used when thawing frozen foods, offered as resource for restaurant water conservation.
• PlasticScore AppsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCrowdsourced zero packaging waste rating for restaurants. GBC funds plastic waste offsets for every review, using data to help create a world free of plastic pollution.
• BondadosasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizational ally focused on community engagement and equitable economic development.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Independent Sector: National membership organization of nonprofits, foundations, and corporate giving programs. Comparable as a national nonprofit/membership advocacy coalition, but focused on the nonprofit sector itself rather than SMB values-driven businesses.
• American Sustainable Business Network: National business association representing values-driven and sustainable businesses in policy advocacy. Comparable as a multi-state business advocacy organization with policy focus, but at larger scale and broader geographic footprint than GBC.
• Aspen Institute Business & Society Program: National thought-leadership program convening business leaders around values-driven capitalism and stakeholder governance. Comparable mission (values-based business leadership), though operating as a policy/education program rather than a membership association.
• Business for Social Responsibility (BSR): Global nonprofit business association and consultancy working on sustainability and equity. Comparable as a values-driven business advocacy network, but focused on large enterprises rather than SMBs and operating at much larger scale.
• B Corporation (B Lab): Global nonprofit certifying and supporting B Corps with similar social/environmental performance standards. GBC lists B Corp as a certification partner; comparable values-aligned SMB ecosystem builder, though operating globally rather than locally.

Emerging players

• Net Impact: Member-based organization for professionals and students using business to drive social and environmental impact. Comparable values-based business community with advocacy and education programming, but oriented toward individuals/professionals rather than SMB employers.

Direct peers

• Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce: A Colorado-based business association representing Black-owned businesses that is explicitly listed as a GBC organizational ally. Comparable as a state-level values/demographic-focused business membership organization advocating on policy for minority-owned SMBs.
• Local First Foundation: Colorado-based nonprofit advocating for local, independent businesses and sustainable food systems. Directly comparable mission (local-first values, sustainability, Resilient Restaurants partnership), regional focus, and nonprofit membership structure.
• Queer Business Alliance: Colorado-based business alliance supporting LGBTQ+ business owners and equitable policy. Listed as a GBC ally and directly comparable as a Colorado-based values/business association advocating for an under-represented SMB community.

Regional players

• Latino Chamber of Commerce of Pueblo: Colorado-based chamber representing Latino-owned businesses, listed as a GBC ally. Comparable as a regional/ethnic business membership association advocating for equitable economic development in Colorado, though focused on a specific demographic.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/goodbizco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Good Business Colorado