Conservation Easement Work Group Set for Lamar

Municipal Offices in Lamar

Colorado State Legislators and the interested public are invited to a Conservation Easement Work Group Thursday, October 24th at the Cultural Events Center in Lamar. The discussion will focus on House Bill 2019-1264.

AGENDA:

08:45 –                   Coffee & Donuts

09:00 – 9:15        Welcome & Overview of Work Group status ….. Alan Gentz / Jillane Hixson

09:15 – 9:30        Overview of  GOCO study of 450 Conservation Easements in S/E CO

9:30 – 11:00 …. Tours*:

1)            Gravel Pit & adjacent Conservation Easement(s) – Prowers Aggregate,   9485 County Road HH.5,   Lamar, CO

2)            Hixson Conservation Easement – Hwy 287 (3 miles south of Lamar, CO)

11:00 – 12:00      Public Comments & Legislator’s Comments on 2019 – HB-1264 Work Group Session.  Issue & Discussions / Reports / Proposals / Consensus

12:00 – 01:00      Lunch ….sponsored by PROWERS AGGREGATE

01:00 – 02:00      Orphan Easements ……… Belinda Groner

02:00 – 03:00      Reparations ………………Alan Gentz

03:00 – 04:00      Alternative Valuation …..  Melissa Daruna

04:00                     Wrap Up / Next Steps …… Erik Glenn

* HB1264 Work Group is tasked with making recommendations for 2020 Legislation:

1. I) Alternative VALUATION method for future Conservation Easements
2. II) Retroactive / Reparative payments for C/E tax credits denied, in whole or in part (2000 – 2013)

III) Administering “Orphaned” Conservation Easements

* HB1264 Work Group Members:

Erik Glenn – Exec Dir, Colorado Cattleman’s Agriculture Land Trust

Alan Gentz-Land Owner (Sterling, CO) Disallowed C/E

Jay Fetcher-Land Owner (Steamboat Springs, CO) C/E Donor

Don Brown, CO Ag Commissioner, 2015 – 2018, Land Owner (Yuma, CO) Disallowed C/E

Jessica Jay- C/E Attorney (Denver, CO)

Jillane Hixson-Land Owner (Lamar, CO), Disallowed C/E

Melissa Duruna-Exec Dir, Keep it Colorado (previous Colorado Coalition of Land Trust)

Belinda Groner-Land Owner advocate, S/E Colorado

Please RSVP to jrh@centurytel.net or 719-336-4285