Policy Priorities in 2024

Keep It Colorado’s policy priorities are developed with input from coalition members, a leadership advisory council and partners. During the legislative session we hold regular community policy calls, share policy briefings with our membership and have ongoing conversations with legislators. At our annual Policy Summit, our members gather to set priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

Keep It Colorado will spend 2024 focusing on policy priorities that strengthen and create greater sustainability for private land conservation for the future. Keep It Colorado will remain active at the Colorado State Capitol and in Washington D.C., continuing to promote existing conservation tools and looking for new opportunities to increase investments in conservation in alignment with Conserving Colorado: A 10-year Roadmap for the Future of Private Land Conservation.

STATE POLICY PRIORITIES

Conservation Incentives

Promote and defend the current tax credit program while advocating for increased investments in conservation through legislative action. Specific priorities are to pursue legislation that will:

• Eliminate the expiration dates of the Conservation Easement Oversight Commission and the Certified Holder program. These bodies are needed to maintain the quality, integrity, efficiency and effectiveness of the program. 

• Raise the tax credit cap to $75 million to meet the current demand. Raising the cap is necessary to meet the current demand, address the backlog in current projects, and ensure that we do not miss opportunities for conservation efforts across the state.

• Expand the eligibility criteria for tax credit transfers. Providing more flexibility in the eligibility criteria will increase the pool of potential buyers, creating greater incentives for investments in conservation while ensuring that those who participate in conservation practices are able to fully utilize their credits. 

Climate Action

Continue to collaborate on and support sound policy. Monitor, track and, where appropriate, collaborate on and support climate action policy. Specific policy areas of focus include land conservation; water conservation; natural and working lands and soil health; forest health; and renewable energy.

Conservation Easement Law

Monitor differing applications and treatment of conservation easements across the state. Take positions on local issues when appropriate to defend state law and the conservation easement tool. Consider future opportunities to ensure consistent use of easements and consistent application of state and federal law.

FEDERAL POLICY PRIORITIES

Groundwater Easements

Support efforts by U.S. Senator Michael Bennet to include language in the Farm Bill to allow conservation easements protecting groundwater to qualify for federal conservation funding under Farm Bill programs.

Farm Bill

Engage the Colorado delegation and advocate for the coalition’s recommendations for improving the 2024 Farm Bill programs.

Conservation Integrity

Track implementation of the Charitable Conservation Easement Integrity Act. Explore additional opportunities and policy needs to fully stop syndicated conservation in Colorado and across the country.

Federal Climate Action

Monitor and support sound policy development that focuses on addressing climate change and advancing conservation.

Funding for Private Land Conservation

Build more legislative support for federal funding that supports private land conservation, stewardship and restoration as critical elements for climate action and economic recovery.