Tax credits for easements spur donations of rights

Money earned from the transfer of conservation easement tax credits on Miller family land in northern Larimer County was used for just what one might think a longtime ranching family would purchase: More land.

In recent years the state of Colorado has sweetened the prospects of preserving agricultural land and open space through conservation easements with tax-credit legislation that is among the most generous in the nation.

Those who donate the development rights on their properties to the appropriate nonprofit or municipal entity can earn tax credits of up to $260,000. The amount of the credit is based on the fair…