Colorado Open Lands

“Colorado open lands (col) operates under a conservation easement stewardship and monitoring protocol that is consistent with the land trust alliance's standards and practices. The land trust alliance is a national land conservation organization representing over 1000-member land trusts in the u.s. Col's policies ensure that it has the commitment to protect and the resources to enforce each of its conservation easements. All policies are approved by the board, including the enforcement, amendment, and record keeping policies. Col's policies ensure that col will have the necessary documentation to enforce each conservation easement going forward. This includes a present conditions or baseline report, prepared at the time of the gift, that accurately describes the condition of the property. Col uses a customized database to document and record all site visits, stewardship issues, enforcement actions, reserved rights, and amendments. If a property changes hands, it is col's policy to update our records and contact the new landowner to ensure they fully understand the restrictions set forth on their property. This is to try to prevent a future stewardship issue from arising. Col often has conversations with potential buyers to educate them on the conservation easement restrictions. Col has a policy of monitoring every easement on an annual basis. This usually includes a visit to the property in person but may also include satellite and aerial monitoring. Monitoring is completed by col staff, volunteers or contractors. Monitors of col conservation easements will not make decisions in the field as to whether or not a situation is or is not a violation of the terms and conditions of the conservation easement. Instead, monitors will collect information on the item of concern. The senior staff will evaluate the infraction. If it is determined that the infraction is a violation, the board and legal counsel is notified and a course of action is set to correct the violation. It is the stated policy of col to enforce all of the terms of our conservation easements. That being stated, it is also the intention of the organization to avoid litigation, if possible, in the enforcement of any violation of a conservation easement. However, legal action may be required and any legal action, including the filing of injunctions, on the part of col requires the adoption of a resolution of the board of directors.”

“The organization receives gifts of conservation easements, which represent numerous restrictions over the use and development of land not owned by the organization. The donated value of conservation easements are recorded, based on the appraised value when available, as revenue when received and an expense is recorded for an equal amount whether the conservation easement is held by the organization or transferred to an eligible entity. Donated conservation easements are recorded at the estimated fair value when an appraisal is not available. The organization's policy for conservation easements is that the benefits flow through to the general public and therefore are not capitalized on the statement of financial position. The organization monitors activities on the land and enforces restrictions contained in both donated and purchased conservation easements.”

“Funds are restricted for use on land conservation and stewardship projects and easement defense.”

“The organization follows accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, which requires the organization to determine whether a tax position (and the related tax benefit) is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, based solely on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit to be recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon settlement, presuming that the tax position is examined by the appropriate taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. During the year ended march 31, 2025, the organization's management evaluated its tax positions to determine the existence of uncertainties, and did not note any matters that would require recognition or which may have an affect on its tax-exempt status.”

“Change in beneficial interest 914 change in value split int agreement 7,131”