It’s Kimberly’s Colorado – We’re Just Lending In It!

It’s Kimberly’s Colorado – We’re Just Lending In It!

Published on: May 21, 2025

Earlier this month, the Colorado SBA district office honored Mountain West Small Business Finance as the “2025 Colorado Community Lender of the Year.” This award recognizes a lender that is active in the community and is helping to expand awareness of the SBA and its programs.

This award is not surprising for those who have met the indefatigable Kimberly Holley, MWSBF’s Colorado-based vice president, loan officer. She relocated from MWSBF’s Salt Lake Office in April 2023 and has been tireless in her approach to expanding the 504 program and Mountain West’s presence in the Centennial State.

While Kimberly originally hails from the Midwest, “I have lived all over,” she says, noting that the “timing just worked [for Colorado], and I was excited about the adventure and opportunities with MWSBF that the move would bring.”

And Kimberly is known for making opportunities.

“I have been welcomed into the community with open arms and have been able to cultivate meaningful relationships quickly, she shares, adding, “I try to create community wherever I go.”

It’s something she’s good at and championed all along the Wasatch Front when she was in the Salt Lake office, and something she continues to excel at in the work Kimberly does in Colorado. Her “Denver: Let’s Do Lunch” is a commercial real estate and industry-related education and networking group, while “The Real Ladies of SBA Denver” is a small group of female SBA lenders.

“The Colorado market is entrepreneurial-focused,” she says. “It has exponential potential for growth and use of SBA Loan programs.”

Though when asked about a favorite SBA project, Kimberley is almost coy, giving the same energy as a parent tasked with naming their favorite child. “I am proud of all of my projects,” she says, “so it is hard to just pick one.”

She says Colorado does summer afternoon thunderstorms very well, and “being from the Midwest – I love a good thunderstorm.” Kimberly’s a foodie at heart, so Colorado suits her. “The foodie scene is on point, with no lack of fun, excellent choices for any and every type of cuisine.”

Check out some of Kimberly’s favorite places in Colorado!

Explore

Favorite Hike: Perimeter hike in Ouray, CO

Best National Park: Rocky Mountain National Park

Adventure Seeking:

Whitewater rafting up Anthracite Creek with SUP Western Slope Adventures

Guided Wing Shoot at Black Canyon Wing and Clay

The Arts:

Favorite place to catch a concert: Red Rocks Amphitheater

Best place to experience art?  RiNo Art District

Where to Dine:

Best date-night restaurant: Mannings Steak & Spirits (a MWSBF project!)

Can’t wait to try: Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ (another MWSBF project)

Best Steak: Eddie V’s

Favorite Coffee Shop: Aviano Coffee

Best place to grab a drink: Narrative

Fast-casual fav: Denver Central Market

Favorite Italian: Nolia

Clean Eats FTW: True Food Kitchen

Dessert haven: The Cake Company

Favorite Cookie Joint: Mary’s Mountain Cookies

Unique dining experience: Scileppi’s

French: La Merise 

Bonus Round: What is Kimberly looking forward to?

“The Sundance Film Festival is coming to Boulder, Colorado. I think it is a great venue for the film festival, and I am excited to see how small businesses grow in the area with this boost to the local economy.”  And when they do, Kimberley and MWSBF will be there to help them!