Erie is a town that straddles Weld and Boulder counties between Boulder and I-25, and it crossed the 40,000-resident mark only recently. Restaurant Finance Network helps Erie owners send one application to a network of lenders, whether they are opening on historic Briggs Street or in a new center serving the town’s growing neighborhoods.
Erie at a glance
- Population: 40,904 (U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 estimate for July 1, 2025; 30,038 in the 2020 Census).
- Counties: Weld and Boulder.
- Dining areas: Old Town Erie along Briggs Street, retail centers along Erie Parkway and Highway 287 at the town’s western edge, and newer neighborhood centers serving subdivisions east toward I-25.
- SBA coverage: the Denver-based SBA Colorado District Office, about 25 miles to the south.
From coal town to commuter town
Erie began as a coal mining town, and its historic core along Briggs Street still carries that small-town scale. Today Old Town Erie has a growing set of restaurants, cafes and bars in older storefronts, and the town’s business newsletter regularly reports on new eateries and projects in the district.
The bigger change is population. Erie added more than 10,000 residents between the 2020 Census and the 2025 estimate, an increase of about 36 percent, with much of that growth in master-planned neighborhoods. Households tend to be families and commuters heading to Boulder, Broomfield or Denver, which supports breakfast spots, coffee shops, family dinners and takeout more than late-night nightlife.
Erie Municipal Airport, a town-owned general aviation field with a 4,700-foot runway, brings flight schools and aviation businesses. Town events in Old Town draw crowds on specific weekends, and summer evenings are the strongest season for patios, while winter relies on regulars from surrounding neighborhoods.
Financing that fits Erie operators
- Startup restaurant loans for owners opening a first concept in a fast-growing town.
- Coffee shop financing for cafes serving commuters and families.
- Construction and renovation loans for older Briggs Street buildings and first-generation suburban spaces.
- Equipment financing for espresso machines, ovens and refrigeration.
- SBA loans when you are taking over a local restaurant from its owner or purchasing the real estate.
Growing beyond Erie
Erie owners often add a second location in Lafayette, Broomfield, Longmont or Firestone, staying close enough to share staff. When that time comes, an expansion loan is the usual fit, and a lender will judge it mostly on how the Erie location has performed: steady deposits, manageable debt and time open, weighed against what the new space will cost. Operators heading toward three or more locations can review multi-location restaurant financing.
Licensing and local help
In Erie, the municipal court judge serves as the local liquor licensing authority, and the Town Clerk receives applications, acts as secretary and schedules hearings. New applicants need a town business license, a certificate of occupancy and an inspection by Erie Police before approval, and the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division issues the state license afterward. The Colorado SBDC serving East Colorado runs a satellite office in Erie, and Boulder County addresses can also use the Boulder County SBDC.
Questions owners ask
Who approves liquor licenses in Erie?
Erie’s municipal court judge serves as the local liquor licensing authority, with the Town Clerk handling applications and scheduling the public hearing. New applicants need a town business license, a certificate of occupancy and an Erie Police inspection. No alcohol can be served until the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division has also issued the state license.
Is there small business help located in Erie?
Yes. The Colorado SBDC serving East Colorado, which covers Weld County, lists Erie among its satellite office locations, and businesses on the Boulder County side can also work with the Colorado SBDC serving Boulder County. Advisors offer free help with business plans, projections and loan preparation, which can make a financing application stronger.
Can I finance a coffee shop in a new Erie neighborhood center?
Often, yes. Lenders will want the lease, a build-out budget, equipment quotes for espresso machines and grinders, and your experience or a solid business plan if you are new. Equipment financing can cover the machines, while an SBA-backed loan or term loan can fund the build-out. A broker can compare which lenders fit.
Nearby cities
Return to the Colorado hub or see Longmont, Broomfield and Boulder. Ready to see options? Check what you qualify for.