Contribution Projects

The purpose of the Enterprise Zone (EZ) contribution tax credit is to encourage taxpayers to assist the local EZ, working with governmental and non-profit partners to undertake activities "implementing the economic development plan for the Enterprise Zone".

"Economic Development" is defined by Colorado statute to include projects "directly related to job creations, job preservation", as well as assisting homeless shelters which provide employment related services in EZs.

The Colorado Economic Development Commission (CEDC)is charged with reviewing and approving proposed projects which it determines are "eligible under the requirements of the law and are essential to the mission of the Enterprise Zone."

Here is a list of our current Enterprise Zone Contribution Projects:
2010 Contribution Projects
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 Tax Credits
  • A taxpayer who makes a monetary contribution to an EZ Project may claim a Colorado Income Tax credit of 25% of the value of the contribution up to a maximum credit of $100,000.
  • In-kind contributions are eligible for a 12.5% in-kind credit. In-kind contributions (e.g.) employee labor, materials, furniture, computer equipment or stock.
  • A certification form (DR0075) must be completed by the project leader and then signed by the EZ Administrator. A copy of the donation check or in-kind valuation must accompany the form. The EZ Administrator will work with the project leader to complete the processing of the forms. The finalized, signed DR0075 must be attached to the individual's Colorado Income Tax in order to receive the tax credit.
 Application Process

Contact the EZ Coordinator at Region 10 for information about the application process.

Projects must be recertified each year in order to continue to receive contributions.

 For more information

Rhona Keckler
Enterprise Zone Coordinator
Region 10
(970) 249-2436x10
rhona@region10.net

Colorado Office of Economic Development
(303) 892-3840
www.state.co.us/oed/ez

 Eligible Projects

All projects are subject to review and approval by the CEDC. For a list of local eligible projects, click here.

Categories include:

  • Homeless: Shelters that offer or provide referrals to child care, job placement and counseling services for the purpose of promoting employment for homeless persons in EZs.
  • Business assistance: Can include management training and counseling, incubators, finance funds and feasibility studies.
  • Job training: Projects that are directed at a specific skill training in cooperation with business and industry. General institutional support of educational institutions will not be approved.
  • Infrastructure: Projects serving businesses (water, sewer, transportation, telecommunication, streetscaping, business and industrial parks) so long as the primary purpose is not to serve an individual user or developer who is a contributor.
  • Marketing: Marketing for business, economic and business development.
  • Rural health care facilities: Facilities which are identified in a rural EZ's development plan as essential to maintain the viability of small and/or remote communities and directly related to job creation or job preservation.
  • Community Development Projects: Beginning in tax year 2003, contributions "to promote nonprofit or government-funded community development projects in EZs" are also eligible. Organizations proposing community development projects must show that they contribute at least indirectly to job creation and job preservation in the EZ, and will implement the adopted economic development plan for the EZ.