Policy Advocacy

We advocate for sound public policy that supports and advances more on-the-ground conservation. 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.

Policy Priorities in 2026

Colorado’s conservation community is facing an urgent threat — the sunset of the Conservation Easement Income Tax Credit.

This program has been instrumental in conserving Colorado’s land and water, supporting agricultural families, sustaining rural economies, leveraging federal funds, and increasing access to conservation programs. Our top priority in 2026 is working on extending the Conservation Easement Income Tax Credit.

Additional Issues

We focus our policy work on issues related to land conservation. This includes tracking issues at the local, state, and federal level.

local policy

See our local ballot initiative tracking page.

STATE POLICY

Conservation Incentives

Promote and defend the current tax credit program while advocating for increased investments in conservation through legislative action.

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

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 Farm Bill.

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.

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 development.