Over the past months, the Colorado Resiliency Office has been working with communities to share adaptations and capture lessons learned during COVID-19. Communities have been impressive in their efforts to be nimble and responsive to continuous change. These lessons have the potential to transcend the pandemic and fortify communities to future disruptions.
The Conservation Easement Tax Credit Performance Audit seeks to determine whether there are effective internal controls in place at the Department of Revenue (DOR) and the Division of Real Estate (DRE) to ensure that conservation easement tax credits claimed and issued by taxpayers are valid. Recommendation 10 of the Performance Audit directs the DRE and DOR to evaluate options for protecting the State's investment in tax-credit-generating conservation easements when the conservation easement holder is no longer certified. The recommendation addresses the need to ensure the long-term value and benefit of the tax credit and notes that the State does not currently retain any long-term rights to ensure that conservation easements are maintained in perpetuity.
Colorado is home to thousands of refugees from all over the world who fled violence and persecution to seek safety and sanctuary in the United States. As these individuals and families put down roots in Colorado, they spark a multitude of regional economic impacts through their spending and through the wages they earn working in industries across the economy. The intent of this study is to understand the economic impact of the public support paid to refugees and their families as well as the economic impact of refugees' employment earnings over time.
