Eight in 10 Coloradans Would Vote to Protect More Land, Water and Wildlife Habitat
New Colorado poll shows broad support for conservation tools and incentives
Nov. 28, 2023 – GOLDEN – Keep It Colorado has released results of a statewide survey of Colorado voters, which found broad, bipartisan support for continuing tax incentives for tools that enable landowners to voluntarily conserve land on their properties, and that increase available tax incentives for those willing landowners. The majority of respondents say they would also tell their state legislator to vote in favor of doubling the amount of land that can be conserved through Colorado’s system of existing tax incentives.
“These survey results cement the need to protect all things that make Colorado special in the eyes of the people in this state,” said Amy Beatie, executive director of Keep It Colorado. “We’re eager to show these results to state lawmakers as they weigh in on policies to protect Colorado’s water, wildlife and way of life and expand financial incentives landowners need to reach their conservation goals.”
Key findings from the poll of 600 registered Colorado voters, conducted by New Bridge Strategy on behalf of Keep It Colorado with support from Trust for Public Land and The Nature Conservancy, include:
83% of Colorado voters feel that more needs to be done to protect land, water and wildlife habitat in the state.
86% support the State Legislature continuing tax incentives for voluntary conservation, and over half (55%) strongly support continuing these incentives.
73% support increasing the cap on incentives, which has not changed since 2014.
Support for raising the tax credit cap for conservation easements (voluntary legal agreements between landowners and land trusts or open space agencies to protect land in perpetuity) is evident across geographic regions, communities, genders and party lines, as these figures demonstrate:
71% of men and 75% of women.
79% of voters ages 18-44, 68% of those 45-54, 71% of those 55-64 and 67% of those over 65.
61% of Republicans, 73% of Independents and 83% of Democrats.
72% of those in cities or suburbs, 76% in small towns and 75% in rural areas.
86% in the City and County of Denver, 72% in the North suburbs, 74% in the Southwest suburbs, 70% in Colorado Springs/Pueblo area, 78% on the Western Slope and 63% on the Eastern Plains.
Almost three-fifths of Colorado voters strongly agree that protecting water and land in Colorado is critical to keep the state economy strong. Respondents were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with a series of statements related to conservation investments:
“Protecting water and land in Colorado is critical to keeping the state’s economy strong.” (87% agree)
“Conserving natural areas like forests, farms, grasslands and wetlands naturally removes carbon from our air. We need to help protect these lands so they can store and remove the carbon pollution that contributes to climate change from the air naturally.” (81% agree)
“Investing in conservation of land, water and wildlife helps support jobs in Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy.” (82% agree)
“Investing in conservation of land, water and wildlife helps support jobs in Colorado’s farming and ranching economy.” (83% agree)
An infographic illustrating these findings is available for download in PDF and PNG formats.
In 2024, Keep It Colorado will ask legislators to support a proposal that will strengthen and create greater sustainability for private land conservation for the future. Specifically, the bill will:
Eliminate the expiration dates of the Conservation Easement Oversight Commission and the Certified Holder program. Without legislative action, elements of the Conservation Easement Tax Credit Program are scheduled to expire in 2026. These bodies are needed to maintain the quality, integrity, efficiency and effectiveness of the program.
Raise the tax credit cap to meet the current demand. The $45 million cap on available tax credit funds was established in 2014 and has not changed. It is not keeping up with demand, inflation or property values. Raising the cap is necessary to meet the current demand as well as fill the backlog in current projects, and to ensure we do not miss opportunities for conservation efforts across the state.
Learn more at https://www.keepitco.org/policy-work/
About Keep It Colorado
Keep It Colorado serves as a unified voice for conservation organizations focused on private lands conservation, and does so by bringing together land trusts, public agencies and conservation champions around a vision to create a Colorado where people, lands, waters and wildlife thrive. Keep It Colorado advocates for sound public policy; provides connection and collaboration opportunities for conservation partners; offers a forum to address emerging conservation issues and opportunities; pursues sustainable funding and programmatic tools and solutions; and works to advance a culture of conservation in Colorado. Learn more at www.keepitco.org.
###
