The state of Colorado has invested substantial financial resources assisting state agencies, local governments, and private nonprofit land trusts in the voluntary adoption of conservation easements from willing landowners. One of the state’s principal efforts to incentivize the conveyance of conservation easements is the Conservation Easement Tax Credit program. This study examines the ecological and economic benefits to the public from the Conservation Easement Tax Credit program.

Conservation efforts on private and working lands target ecologically important areas, provide a significant economic stimulus to the Colorado economy, and tangible benefits to its residents. The study finds the public benefits of the tax credit program exceed the costs to Colorado taxpayers by good measure and is therefore a good investment of taxpayer dollars. The cost of making such investments is lower now than it will be in the future.