ColoradoColorado taxpayers may claim conservation easement credits through 2036
Colorado landowners may claim an income tax credit for qualifying conservation easement donations through 2036, with a state certificate and yearly limits.
What it does
Colorado taxpayers may claim an income tax credit for qualifying conservation easement donations through 2036. The credit covers only land in Colorado and requires a state certificate.
The Division of Conservation may not use the act's additional authority to issue extra or amended certificates for earlier donations, but earlier annual limits still apply.
State officials must measure whether the tax credit encourages landowners to protect property voluntarily through conservation easements.
Argument forLandowners could use the tax credit for qualifying donations made through 2036, giving them more time to protect privately owned land.
Argument againstThe yearly cap and application queue could make some donors wait for a credit certificate, even when their easement donation qualifies.
More detail
The law allows an income tax credit for qualifying conservation easement donations. The credit is for taxpayers who donate all or part of a perpetual conservation easement on property they own to a government agency or qualifying charity. The donation must meet federal requirements, and the credit excludes any part of the easement on land outside Colorado. A credit certificate is required, and annual limits apply. The credit applies to income tax years beginning before January 1, 2037.
The Division of Conservation may not issue extra or amended credit certificates under the act's additional authority for earlier donations. This rule concerns conservation easement donations made before the act took effect. The division may still issue a certificate under the annual limits for a donation made before the act took effect. The restriction applies to donations made before the act took effect.
The General Assembly and State Auditor must measure whether the tax credit serves its stated purpose of encouraging voluntary land protection. The measurement concerns the tax credits described in this section. They must use the number and value of credits claimed and the total area protected by conservation easements. This section is repealed effective January 1, 2057.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 1Governor Jared Polis SignedBecame Law
- May 20Signed by the Speaker of the HouseMajor
- May 20Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- May 20Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 11Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed Senate
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Upper
- May 8Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1230 to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Upper
- May 8Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
- May 7Senate Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1230 to the Committee on Appropriations. Result: pass.Upper
- May 5House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed House
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- May 5Introduced In Senate - Assigned to FinanceMinor
- May 4House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
- May 1House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1230 to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 30House Committee on Finance Refer Amended to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment E). Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1230, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 18Introduced In House - Assigned to FinanceIntroduced
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