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Senate committee advances bill to let land trusts and water districts access ag‑loan program
Summary
The Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee voted unanimously to advance Senate Bill 64, which would create a new loan category under the Colorado Agricultural Future Loan Program to allow entities eligible for the state conservation easement tax credit to access short-term financing for buy‑protect‑sell and other farmland‑preservation projects.
Senate Bill 64, which would add a new eligible‑entity definition and loan category to the Colorado Agricultural Future Loan Program, was advanced by the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee on a 7‑0 vote on Feb. 25, 2026.
Sponsors and witnesses told the committee the change would let organizations that qualify for the state conservation easement tax credit — including state‑certified land trusts and water conservation and conservancy districts — apply for short‑term loans that can be used to buy, protect and resell farmland at agricultural value.
Why it matters: Senators and multiple witnesses said the bill is designed to prevent further loss of working farmland by giving conservation partners rapid access to capital when properties come on the market. Senator Simpson said Colorado lost roughly 1,600,000 acres of farm and ranch…
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