For 30 years, the Mesa Land Trust has worked to protect important agricultural and natural areas in Mesa County.
Today, the trust holds conservation easements on more than 50,000 acres of land, preserving the properties for wildlife, agriculture, and the enjoyment of future generations.
The trust is celebrating three decades of accomplishments with an open house from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, at the trust’s office, 1006 Main St. in Grand Junction. The open house, sponsored by May-Investments, is open to land trust members, conservation landowners, volunteers, trust partners, and friends of the organization. Appetizers and beverages will be served, and those who plan to attend are asked to RSVP to 263-5443 or info@mesalandtrust.org.
Conservation easements protect selected lands for wildlife habitat, open space, or agriculture, and easements also can produce wealth for property owners. Landowners wishing to protect their property from future development can basically give up development and subdivision rights in exchange for federal and state tax benefits, says Ilana Moir, land protection for the trust. Traditional uses such as agriculture can continue on the property, but it can never be subdivided or developed.
“A conservation easement limits development potential on the land, and it goes with the property in perpetuity,” Moir says.
At a time when real estate prices are down and property sales are slow, owners of land that has conservation potential can use conservation easements to monetize their land holdings, Moir says.
The federal government allows property owners to take a tax deduction for the value of conservation easements, and the deduction can be used for five years, Moir says. In addition, Colorado offers a state tax credit for conservation easements. Landowners who have significant income can use the state tax credit to reduce their tax burden, or they can sell their state tax credits to others. The sale of tax credits can generate significant cash for the landowner. “The tax credits generally have sold at 80 cents on the dollar,” Moir says.
Several brokers operate in Colorado who match landowners wishing to sell conservation easement tax credits with prospective buyers. Landowners also can sell their tax credits directly to another party, Moir says.
After a conservation easement is created, it is held by a land trust. Mesa Land Trust holds more than 130 easements totaling more than 50,000 acres and maintains a fund to defend and administer easements well into the future, Moir says.
Mesa Land Trust is governed by a 17-person board whose members all live in Mesa County. The trust seeks conservation easements on properties that have special characteristics that make them good wildlife habitat, agricultural land, or open space. Properties range from orchards in the Palisade area to large ranches on Glade Park.
“We recognize that development is going to happen, but we believe there are places worth protecting,” Moir says. The conservation easement program lets valuable properties be protected and preserved for future generations while generating financial benefits to today’s landowners.
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