HomeMy WebLinkAbout20212680.tiffSeptember 9, 2021
STEVE MORENO
WELD COUNTY COMMISSIONER AT -LARGE
The Honorable Michael Bennet
Jessica Smith, Chief of Staff (Jessica_smith@bennet.senate.gov)
Russell Senate Office Building Room 261
Washington, DC 20510-0609
Dear Senator Bennet,
As more and more of our communities are developed, less land is available for hiking, fishing, hunting,
farming and historic preservation. The conservation easement program is one tool to ensure the preservation
of environment and protect our ability to enjoy the outdoors.
Weld County is home to the Pawnee National Grasslands that covers 193,060 acres of our 4,000 square
mile county. The rich history of the area is represented by old homesteads, cemeteries, and museums. The
Grasslands is internationally known for birding and great spots for hiking, camping, picnicking, horseback
riding and stargazing.
As Chair of the Weld County Board of Commissioners, a member of the Upstate Colorado Economic
Development Board, Highway I-85 Coalition, Highway 34 Coalition, I-25 Coalition, and a member of the
Board of Directors for the National Association of Elected Officials, I am concerned that Congress is
considering changes to the program that could eventually restrict the use of conservation easements to
protect areas like the Pawnee National Grasslands. Legislation like Senate Bill 2256 would limit who can
participate, which would in turn put some of our most environmentally important lands in danger of being
destroyed
There are always those who seek to abuse/cheat every kind of tax incentive program in our country —and
conservation easements are no exception. Bad apples have misused the program for personal gain by over
inflating the conservation value and overall land value of conservation easement projects. But the new
legislation doesn't fully address that problem and would only succeed in excluding a whole group of
individuals who might now choose to sell to developers as they no longer have other options.
I understand that the conservation easement program is flawed, but if the intent is still what it was when the
program was conceived (to permanently set aside land for conservation uses), then I don't see how new
rules that penalize folks for doing so is helpful. By all means, pass new language that would necessitate
fair and honest appraisals through transparency and checks and balances, but it doesn't make sense to limit
who can participate in the program.
Steve Moreno
Weld County Commissioner At -Large
Phone: 970-400-4200 Fax: 970-336-7233 1150 O St., P.O. Box 758, Greeley, CO 80632
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