Sonnenberg to Chair Hearing on Conservation Easements

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Jerry Sonnenberg (R-District 1) today announced the holding of a special August 5 public hearing, focused on the state’s conservation easement program. It’s scheduled for between 9:00 a.m. and noon in SCR 356 at the state Capitol.  

“This conservation easement process continues to be confusing and somewhat challenging,” said Sonnenberg. “We need to figure out why after a number of years some of these easements are still in limbo.”  

Colorado’s Conservation Easement program has experienced problems in the past. But various potential “fixes” have left landowners confused and the state possibly at risk regarding the tax credits generated through these easements. The hearing is intended to take personal testimony on both positive and negative experiences of those utilizing the tax credits. Although this is a public hearing, at which all relevant testimony will be taken, the committee also invited the participation of land trusts, the Colorado Departments of Revenue and Regulatory Agencies, agriculture organizations and past legislators who worked on the easement issue.  

Please contact Senator Sonnenberg at 970-581-8648 if you have questions or are interested in testifying.