Mesa County Enterprise Zone
Business Tax Credits & Incentives
The Mesa County Enterprise Zone provides various tax credits and incentives to encourage expansion of/location of private enterprise and quality jobs in targeted areas.
The Colorado Legislature created the Enterprise Zone program to promote a business-friendly environment in economically distressed areas by offering state income tax credits that incentivize businesses to locate and develop in these communities, as well as non-profits organizations to assist with the needs of these communities.
Mesa County has contracted with the Business Incubator Center to administer the program.
Types of Business Tax Credits
There are two types of tax credits within the Enterprise Zone Program
Business Tax Credits
Tax credits for Businesses located in the Enterprise Zone (need not OWN property, but must operate a revenue-generating business on the property)
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Donation Tax Credits
Tax credits for donations made to eligible Contribution Projects (non-profits who have been pre-qualified for the program by Mesa County)
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Business Tax Credits
Businesses may qualify for more than one business tax credit.
Business Tax Credit Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the program, a business MUST pre-certify annually with an application for EACH location within the Zone. For locations outside of Mesa County, see the EZ map for which Enterprise Zone, if any, the application would be made in).
Pre-certification applications can be made up to 90 days in advance of the business’ fiscal year (i.e., for a calendar year, the business may pre-certify as early as October 1 for the following year).
Pre-certification is NOT retroactive, so any business investment made during the fiscal year BEFORE pre-certification is done would NOT be eligible.
For more information on the tax credits, and user guides to assist you in applying, click here.
*Consult your tax advisor for more information and to understand how the program may work for your particular business.
Up to 12% of eligible training costs
Up to $1,100 or more per net new employee
Up to 3% of an increase in research and development expenses
Up to 3% of business personal property investment
Sales and use tax exemption
Contribution Projects
Contribution Project Eligibility
The Mesa County Enterprise Zone Committee, made up of representatives from local government, economic development entities, chambers of commerce, higher education, and human services community, has established 5 economic development objectives for contribution project approval.
Only local non-profits which meet one or more of these goals and are either within the EZ or materially serve it, will be considered for the program.
- Promote higher average wages, as well as support entry level/part time/low wage workforce with access to upskilling and/or self-employment opportunities, affordable medical care, and other critical services related to workforce stability and advancement.
- Promote economic growth in core industries of technology, manufacturing, tourism, medical hub, and natural resources through education, infrastructure, and facilities.
- Promote increased incoming money from out-of-area visitors and relocation of businesses and higher-skilled workers and their families to the Zone with recreation opportunities, tourism venues, social amenities, and enrichment programs.
- Promote retention of workers with workforce housing, and provide emergency and temporary homeless housing with programs to get unemployed/unhoused into the workforce.
Enterprise Zone Contribution Tax Credit
The Enterprise Zone Contribution Tax Credit provides a tax credit to Colorado taxpayers for contributions to targeted Enterprise Zone (EZ) Contribution Projects.
Donations made to a certified contribution project may be eligible for a tax credit of up to:
- 25% of a cash donation
- 12.5% of an in-kind donation
Taxpayer credits are capped at $100,000 per taxpayer per tax year (if not all tax credits can be used by the taxpayer in a given year, there is a carry forward clause for up to five years). Please consult your tax advisor for details on your specific tax situation with regard to EZ tax credits.
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