If there’s one word that’s top of mind for Colorado’s business community , it’s uncertainty.
The big picture: Local business owners are paying close attention to economic trends as the nation ushers in a new president whose policies remain uncertain.
Why it matters: Small businesses have the agility to adapt quickly to change — a strength that larger corporations sometimes lack — but are also more vulnerable to regulations impacting costs, labor and supply chains.
What they’re saying: “The one thing that small businesses need more than anything else is stability,” says Hansen Rada, CEO of Westminster-based Tax Guard, which processes 60% of Small Business Administration loans to mom-and-pop shops nationwide.
Zoom in: Here are five trends small business owners in Colorado and across the country should watch, according to industry experts:
1. Artificial intelligence adoption will soar, while the importance of brand authenticity rises .
- Nearly 80% of small business owners in the U.S. plan to use AI for everything from social media and customer service to bookkeeping and hiring management, per the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
- Yes, but: Colorado passed a law in 2024 limiting private-sector AI uses, ranging from employment and lending services to housing and insurance.