Gov. Jared Polis launched the #ShopLocalColorado campaign Monday, encouraging residents to support Colorado small businesses going into the holiday shopping season.

The campaign, in collaboration with the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, provides shoppers with a website where they can see an interactive map of regional shopping campaigns.

“Colorado’s small businesses, entrepreneurs and restaurants are an economic engine for so many communities across Colorado and while the pandemic has created unique challenges, we are resilient and will build back stronger,” Polis said.

“I encourage every Coloradan to shop local this holiday season and purchase superior grown in Colorado and made in Colorado products.”

In Colorado, there are more than 611,000 small businesses, making up over 99% of businesses in the state.

Small businesses employ more than 1.1 million Coloradans, nearly 50% of the state workforce.

“As a former small business owner, I know how important local participation is to business success and sustainability,” said OEDIT Executive Director Betsy Markey. “That’s doubly true today.”

When shopping locally, 70% of spending stays in the local economy compared to 40% when shopping non-locally, according to the Small Business Administration.

Local businesses are also more likely to utilize other local businesses for services like marketing and accounting.

“By shopping local, our spending helps our neighbors and our economy,” Markey said. 

Putting more money into the state economy increases local tax revenues used to support things like schools, police, fire stations and roads.

Colorado businesses and residents are encouraged to join the campaign by posting fliers and social media posts using the #ShopLocalColorado social media toolkit.