Colorado SDVOSB Preference and Supplier Diversity: Status and What to Do

What it is

Colorado does not issue its own MBE or WBE certification for state purchasing. The Department of Personnel & Administration (DPA) runs the Statewide Supplier Diversity Program, which keeps a free Colorado Supplier Diversity Directory and a Navigator help desk. The ownership-based preference in state purchasing is for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB) verified by the U.S. Small Business Administration. State agencies have a 3% SDVOSB contracting goal under C.R.S. 24-103-905.

Who qualifies

• SDVOSB preference: verified as an SDVOSB through the SBA, and located in Colorado (incorporated or organized in Colorado, or keeping an office or place of business there).
• Direct contracts with the state count toward the goal. Subcontracts do not.
• Directory listing: any business registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State can apply for a free listing. The Navigator verifies small, diverse-owned, veteran-owned, HUBZone or green status.
• DPA accepts outside certifications for the directory, including Denver M/WBE, SBE and EBE; CDOT Emerging Small Business; NMSDC MBE; WBENC WBE; SBA WOSB, VOSB, SDVOSB and HUBZone; NGLCC LGBTBE; Disability:IN; and NVBDC.
• Out-of-state firms: the SDVOSB preference requires a Colorado location, and the directory requires Colorado Secretary of State good standing.

What it means for your bids

• State agencies "may give a preference in competitive bids or proposals" to SDVOSBs. To claim it, include SBA proof of SDVOSB status with your bid. DPA does not say how the preference is scored.
• DPA says minority- and woman-owned status does not carry a preference in state purchasing. A directory listing helps buyers find you. Certification is not required to sell to the state.
• Resident bidders get a reciprocal preference against nonresident bidders equal to the preference the bidder's home state gives (C.R.S. 24-103-906, per NASPO). Resident bidders also win low tie bids on supply contracts (C.R.S. 24-103-902).
• Goods and services over $50,000 with no price agreement in place are publicly posted, mostly on ColoradoVSS.

How to get certified

1. Register in ColoradoVSS to see state solicitations. Help desk: 303-866-6464 or VSSHelp@state.co.us.
2. If you are a service-disabled veteran, get SBA verification at veterans.certify.sba.gov. Keep the proof for your bids.
3. Apply for a free listing in the Colorado Supplier Diversity Directory: https://dhr.colorado.gov/supplier-diversity/colorado-supplier-diversity-directory
4. Ask the Navigator to verify any outside certification you already hold.

DPA's pages do not list a processing time for directory listings.

Watch out for

• Federal DBE (highway and transit work) is a separate program.
• Denver's certifications (M/WBE, SBE, EBE) are for city contracts. Denver runs that program, not the state.
• DPA posts annual SDVOSB reports, including one for FY 2025-26. DPA's pages list no 2025-2026 changes to the goal.
• The statute summaries for resident preferences come from NASPO. Check the bid or the statute.
• Free help: the Navigator (DPA_SupplierDiversityHelp@state.co.us, 303-866-5765) and the OEDIT Minority Business Office.

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Sources

• dhr.colorado.gov/statewide-equity-office/supplier-diversity/contracting-goal-set-for-p
• dhr.colorado.gov/supplier-diversity/business-certifications
• dhr.colorado.gov/statewide-equity-office/supplier-diversity
• osc.colorado.gov/spco/accesscolorado
• osc.colorado.gov/spco
• www.naspo.org/research-and-innovation/state-preference-repository/browse-by-state/c

FindMyBids isn't affiliated with any certifying agency, and this isn't legal advice. Status can change quickly with court orders and new laws, so confirm with the program office before you rely on it.