In 2021, Keep It Colorado partnered with GOCO to establish the Transaction Cost Assistance Program (TCAP), which re-grants GOCO funds to nonprofit land trusts to help cover the costs associated with conservation easement transactions.
Most of Colorado's land is privately owned, so working with landowners is key to protecting our outdoors. Private properties often contain important wildlife habitats, beautiful views, water resources, agricultural operations, and historic sites. However, as more people move to Colorado, landowners are experiencing increased pressure to develop.
A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement that permanently protects land from development. If you want to protect your land through a conservation easement, you'll likely face costs between $60,000 and $150,000 for appraisals, assessments, and legal fees. These expenses are significant barriers for some landowners.
When urgent conservation opportunities arise, TCAP grants help landowners who face financial barriers conserve their land more quickly. Since the program's founding, these grants have helped protect thousands of acres of important land for future generations.