Supplier Diversity

The goal of the Statewide Supplier Diversity Program is to reduce State of Colorado procurement disparities for historically underutilized businesses. The 2020 State of Colorado disparity study report found there is a need for a level playing field amongst the small business community of Colorado.

The Supplier Diversity program identifies and removes barriers to increase access to State procurement. A diverse supply chain is socially and economically beneficial to our state and all businesses, regardless of size or ownership, deserve an opportunity to do business with the State of Colorado.  
 

Where do I start?

• I am a supplier of goods and services
   
• I provide construction services or need bond assistance
   
• I am a buyer looking to diversify my supply chain
   
• I am a small and/or diverse supplier or contractor looking for business certification

Want to meet with the Statewide Equity Office of Supplier Diversity team? Register for their monthly meetings. 

In November of 2024, the Small Business Administration reported approximately 715,576 small businesses in Colorado, making up 99.5% of all businesses in the state. These small businesses employ 1.1 million workers, accounting for 47.5% of all employment in the state. Many of these businesses are owned by women, veterans, Hispanics, and other racial minorities (see the report for more details). 

Buying from small and diverse businesses strengthens our local economy by creating jobs, helping improve and maintain our local public infrastructure through tax revenue, and benefiting our communities both socially and economically.  

The state benefits from a stronger competitive base with a more diverse supplier pool, can better respond to emergencies, and provides more continuity in the supply chain and better adaptability to fluctuations in the economy.

Understanding the importance of a diverse supply chain, the Colorado General Assembly directed that the 2020 State of Colorado Disparity Study be completed. To eliminate disparities as found in the study, a State Procurement Equity Program was established in C.R.S. 24-103-1104 and part 11 of the Procurement Code to:

Provide solicitation assistance through a help desk and a bond assistance program.
 
Convene an internal and external stakeholder group to review the findings of the disparity study and submit recommendations (Supplier Diversity Partners of Equitable Business Committee Report) to DPA on these findings. (C.R.S. 24-103-1105)

To ensure an equitable procurement ecosystem, any cases or concerns of fraud must be reported. Contact the Office of the State Auditor's Fraud Hotline if a State employee or contracted individual (i.e., individual acting under a contract, purchase order, or other similar agreement for the procurement of goods and services with a State agency) may be committing fraud against the State or others.