Colorado Springs stands tall as a city that honors the rule of law and champions the entrepreneurial spirit. U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank, a proven advocate for our district, has seized a golden opportunity by inviting the Small Business Administration (SBA) to relocate its Denver headquarters to our city.

Be assured, SBA, that most of Colorado Springs will emphatically support this proposal. Unlike Denver, Colorado Springs is not — and will never be — a sanctuary city. Our leaders, from Mayor Yemi Mobolade to Sheriff Joe Roybal and District Attorney Michael Allen, have made it clear: We uphold federal law and foster an environment where businesses, not lawlessness, thrive. The SBA belongs here.

Crank’s invitation follows SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler’s decision to close offices in sanctuary cities such as Denver, where local leaders defy U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Denver’s sanctuary status has consequences, and losing the SBA is one of many more to come.

Colorado Springs, by contrast, stands resolute. Mobolade repeatedly has declared that our city cannot and will not support illegal immigrants, a stance backed by Roybal, Allen and most county commissioners and City Council members.

The Springs’ unified commitment to legality isn’t just rhetoric; it’s a promise to our citizens and a signal to federal partners that Colorado Springs is a trustworthy ally. The SBA can operate here with confidence, free from the sanctuary-city baggage that plagues Denver.

Beyond our lawful foundation, Colorado Springs offers an unmatched environment for the SBA’s mission to empower small businesses. Our city doesn’t just welcome commerce — it actively cultivates and accommodates it.

With a booming aerospace sector, a growing tech hub, and a military backbone, we’re home to executives and entrepreneurs who drive America’s economy forward. Crank rightly highlighted our “cyber innovation and small business community” as a perfect fit for the SBA.

From cutting red tape to offering competitive tax rates, Colorado Springs consistently creates a fertile ground for businesses large and small. Relocating here would place the SBA at the epicenter of this dynamism, surrounded by leaders who understand what it takes to succeed.

The practical benefits are equally compelling. Colorado Springs’ cost of living beats Denver’s sky-high prices, offering SBA employees affordability alongside our safe streets and stunning vistas.

Military spouses — a hiring priority under President Donald Trump — form a talented labor pool ready to serve. This isn’t about poaching from Denver; it’s about rewarding a city that gets it right. As Crank noted, the move is a short distance south — typically about an hour by car — minimizing disruption while maximizing benefit. Why force federal workers to endure Denver’s chaos when they could thrive in a community that prioritizes safety and prosperity?

Some might argue this pits one Colorado city against another, but the fault lies with Denver’s leaders, not ours. Denver chose sanctuary policies; the Springs chose law and order. Mobolade, Roybal, Allen and our elected officials have forged a path that aligns with federal expectations and local values. Crank sees this clearly, and his invitation reflects his knack for turning challenges into opportunities for Colorado Springs.

The SBA deserves a headquarters that mirrors its purpose: supporting lawful, innovative enterprise. Colorado Springs delivers that and more. We urge Loeffler to accept Crank’s offer.

Move the SBA to a city that rejects sanctuary status, embraces federal partnership and tirelessly builds the perfect environment for business success. Colorado Springs isn’t just ready — it’s the ideal home for the SBA’s next chapter.

The Gazette Editorial Board