Community benefits: ​healthy land, healthy community​


Protecting land has endless benefits for land, water, and our community. Each piece of land has its own unique values, and together with other conserved land, creates a tapestry that enriches lives, both human and wild.

​Clean and abundant water
Irrigation is essential to agricultural productivity, and lush green fields attract wildlife, raise the water table, and sustain wetlands. Protecting land along rivers and streams helps to keep water clean and wildlife healthy. 
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Wildlife and plant habitat
Protecting land provides winter range for big game such as elk and mule deer, migratory routes for wildlife and birds, and habitat for native plants. Ranchlands are often the most productive, diverse, and least fragmented private lands in Colorado, and are one key to the health and productivity of many wildlife populations.

Recreation and education
Colorado is known for its beauty, open spaces, and unrivaled outdoor opportunities. Conserved land does not always provide public access, but conserved land does help protect the Colorado experience. See where you can get outside here.

Health and local economy
Agriculture is a long-time cornerstone of this community and should be part of the future of this community. Sustainable local food production, clean water, clean air, tourism, outdoor education, and recreation are important contributors to our local economy and the health of our community. By protecting our land and water today, we ensure the prosperity of our community tomorrow.


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Landowner benefits: ​a forever vision


​Protecting land may benefit the landowner and our community's rich agricultural roots and values.

Support family traditions
Permanent land protection leaves a legacy for your children, community, and the future. Protecting land protects the generations of care that have gone into your land. It may also be the key to keeping land viable, intact, and in the family.
Partnership and support
We view conservation as a partnership with the landowner and ensure our promise of forever. We also offer ongoing support such as land stewardship programs and resources, and assistance with technical land management issues. 
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Sustain working ranches and farms
Working ranches and farms provide food for our community, put money into our local economy, and protect cherished viewsheds and wildlife habitat. Conserving land could result in the financial benefits needed to create sustainable futures for farms, ranches, and land-based businesses.

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"This is our heritage. Why would we sell it?
Some things are more important than money."

- Joe & Jesse Hood, Hood Ranch


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Financial benefits


The federal tax deduction - The federal conservation easement (CE) tax incentive allows taxpayers to claim an income tax deduction for the charitable donation value of qualifying conservation easements. The federal tax incentive allows a donor to deduct the full value of a qualified CE donation, minus the amount of state tax credits claimed. The credit can be used into the future.

State tax credits - The State of Colorado leads the nation in providing a transferable income tax credit for donated conservation easements. Qualifying donations may earn a state conservation easement tax credit worth 90% of the donation value up to a maximum tax credit amount. Tax credits may be used against the donor’s state tax liability into the future, transferred to another Colorado taxpayer, or sold to another Colorado taxpayer for cash. Please note that the sale of Colorado conservation credits creates taxable income.

Estate tax planning - A conservation easement may provide a substantial benefit when passing land on to family. In addition, land protected by a qualified CE is eligible for a partial estate tax exclusion.

Property tax benefits - Your property taxes may be reduced or fixed at an agricultural tax rate as a result of granting a conservation easement. You may be able to permanently maintain your agricultural tax rate after a conservation easement. Please check with your attorney or county assessor for details.


​​Please note that this information is provided as a general description of tax incentives available for qualified conservation
easement donations. If you are interested in pursuing a conservation easement or purchasing Colorado tax credits, please seek
professional tax and legal advice.
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​Costs


Please note that the process of completing a conservation easement involves substantial costs. We are a community-supported nonprofit organization. Please inquire with us if you need cost assistance and we can explore some possibilities as there may be more options available to you. There is no risk or cost to inquiring about protecting your land.

You've got questions, we've got answers. Email Bud to learn more.​

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​Learn more about conserving your land:

HOW TO
Learn the steps to partner with AVLT to forever conserve your land.
FAQS
You've got questions, we've got answers. Or, email Bud to learn more.​

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​Have more questions?