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State equipment tax credit could reimburse Huerfano County food retailers and family farms, presenter says
Summary
A representative for the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition told the Huerfano County Board of County Commissioners about a Colorado Department of Agriculture equipment tax credit that can reimburse eligible small food retailers and family farms for up to 75% of equipment costs; the program has $10 million per year and runs through 2030.
Aiba Williams, representing the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition and contracted through the Colorado Department of Agriculture, briefed the Huerfano County Board of County Commissioners about a state equipment tax credit that can reimburse eligible small food retailers and family farms for up to 75% of equipment costs.
Williams said the program targets businesses that serve low-income, low-access areas and carries $10,000,000 per year in available credits through 2030. She told the board that, in order to claim a credit for equipment purchased in 2025, the purchase and application both must occur in 2025.
Williams explained which purchases are typically eligible: for small food-retail businesses, items such as storage and display shelving, and point-of-sale systems; for small family farms, items including delivery vehicles and irrigation equipment that enable production and sale to low-income, low-access areas. "There is an equipment tax credit that could reimburse these types of businesses for up to 75 percent of their equipment costs when their businesses are assisting low income, low access areas," Williams said.
She described common eligibility thresholds mentioned in the presentation: small retail sites generally must be under 10,000 square feet and farms must have gross receipts under $350,000 per year. Williams said nonprofit organizations are not eligible for the credit; for-profit small food retailers within an incubator or nonprofit-run group could still qualify if the business itself is for-profit and meets program rules.
Williams said the program allows businesses to submit an eligibility form in advance to confirm whether a proposed purchase would be covered, but that final claims must be filed with income-tax filings for the year of purchase. She also offered that she will provide technical assistance and outreach in Huerfano County and distributed handouts with contact information.
Commissioners and other attendees named local outlets that might participate, including the county farmers market on Seventh Street; Williams said farmers markets are eligible. She confirmed greenhouses could be covered if at least half of production is sold or distributed to qualifying low-income, low-access areas. Williams closed by asking commissioners and local partners to identify candidate businesses and farmers so she can follow up.
Ending: The commissioners did not take formal action on the presentation; Williams said she will follow up by e-mail and distribute program materials to county contacts.
