Meet The Expert | ‘Tax Credit Connection‘
Welcome to our ‘Meet The Expert’ Series, where we highlight trusted partners and specialists who bring unique expertise to the world of ranch ownership and land stewardship.
In this spotlight, we’re pleased to introduce Ariel from Tax Credit Connection, a leading authority on Colorado’s conservation tax credit program. Ariel and her team help landowners and investors make the most of conservation opportunities, transforming tax benefits into meaningful contributions for wildlife, clean air, and open spaces that define the West.
Read on to learn more about how conservation tax credits work and how partnering with M4 Ranch Group and Tax Credit Connection can make a lasting difference for your family and the land you love:
Childhood Dreams and the Chance to Work Abroad
To kick things off, Ariel shares a bit of her background:
To give you some context; when I was a little girl, I wanted to be either a dolphin trainer or a US Senator. I ended up as a lawyer doing litigation at a big law firm in Los Angeles… paying off student loans while living by the beach.
One late night at the office, a colleague mentioned a friend who was deciding between being a lawyer on a small tropical island or ski law in Tahoe. Jokingly, I said, “Sign me up for whichever she doesn’t take.” Soon after, I faxed my résumé halfway around the world and was stunned when I received word that I had already landed the job as the ‘Assistant Attorney General for Palau’.
Just before New Year’s Eve in 1995, I traded high heels for flip-flops, grabbed my two dogs, and moved across the world to this Pacific island nation.
Discovering Conservation in Palau
During the week, I worked as a government attorney… on weekends, I went scuba diving among coral reefs and sharks. But I also witnessed problems like overfishing and bribery tied to shark finning.
The bright spot was discovering the work of the ‘Nature Conservancy’, who was represented by just one guy named ‘Chuck’ in Palau.
“That encounter planted the seed for my future, and I knew exactly what I would do when I got home . . .”
A New Path in Colorado
Three years later, I returned to the U.S., settling in Boulder, Colorado. I volunteered with The Nature Conservancy, took night classes, and eventually worked as a paralegal handling conservation easements.
These agreements allowed families to preserve their land permanently, for generations in exchange for compensation, transforming lives while protecting landscapes.
“These conservation easements are the coolest things ever, it changes lives!”
Launching ‘Tax Credit Connection‘
With a small loan from my parents, I took over a modest company called ‘Tax Credit Connection’…. this was twenty years ago! Our work helped families across Colorado complete conservation easements and sell their state income tax credits. Over time, we:
- Directed hundreds of millions of dollars into family pockets
- Enabled Colorado taxpayers to save millions on state taxes
- Supported the conservation of over three million acres of land, conserved through this tax credit incentive
And its time we expand this vision nationally!
“Now I believe it’s time to bring this program to every state in the country. That’s why I’m
going to Washington, DC with Dan Murphy from M4 Ranch Group with a bill we wrote for Congress”
How Conservation Tax Credits Help Families and Communities
Next, Ariel explains the impact of conservation tax credits on families and communities:
There are 3 things that are important to know about how landowners can get money for agreeing to keep their land from being developed in Colorado and hopefully soon in every state of the nation if Dan Murphy and I are successful.
1. Colorado’s Conservation Incentive
Colorado’s land conservation tax incentive is the most generous in the country. If landowners agree to permanently limit development, restricting subdivisions and large-scale construction they can receive 80–90% of the donation value back as a state tax credit… up to $5 million.
These credits can be:
- Used directly to offset state taxes
- Sold at a discount to generate cash
- Partially refunded by the state
“If you’re a landowner in Colorado and agree to permanently restrict the use of your land; no more subdivisions, limited houses and other buildings… you can get between 80-
90% of your donation value back as a tax credit up to $5M”
2. Helping Families Maximize Their Credits
At Tax Credit Connection, we help families and their advisors determine the best strategy (way and timing) for using or selling their credits…. to maximize their value.
Examples:
- For a family hoping to buy neighboring land, they needed immediate cashflow, so it was essential to sell their credits as quickly as possible
- For another family, they chose to hold their credits for a year and a day to secure a more favorable tax treatment
Tax Credit Connection helps each family to explore their options, and find the one that is best for their family and their land. Then for the portion of credits that they would like to sell, we have buyers who are interested in purchasing.
“We facilitate the full sale process taking the roles of a Realtor and a title company in land sales. .. but instead, we’re selling tax credits”
3. Tailored Easements for Every Landowner
Finally, every conservation easement is customized to reflect the landowners’ goals for their land.
Examples:
- One family may want to keep the right to build 3 houses on their 1,500 acres, so each of their 3 children can have their own place on the family ranch
- Another family may want to maximize their conservation easement value, and only allow one home
Together with the land conservation organization, each family crafts the restrictions and permissible uses that work for them within the rules of the program… these are the kinds of questions we help families to explore.
Conservation easements are a win-win-win
Ariel highlights why conservation easements are truly a win-win-win:
Conservation easements create benefits for landowners, buyers, and communities:
For Landowners
- Landowners get tax incentives they can turn to cash, to secure their future. Which changes the game for families who have way more land than income
- One family used credit proceeds to finally pay off a mortgage, that had weighed on them for 3 generations. They took the money from their tax credit sale and paid off the note
“We were so proud to be able to orchestrate the sale and send the wire to their bank, you
know that family slept soundly that night!”
For Tax Credit Buyers
- Tax Credit Buyers, can purchase credits at a discount (saving 6–10% on state taxes), while knowing they are helping working families and conservation efforts
- These buyers also know they are helping hard working families, keep Colorado as the beautiful state we all enjoy
“Our credit buyers tell us that they love, knowing what their investment means to everyone in our community”
For Communities & the State
- Land is protected for wildlife, farming, and tourism, ensuring Colorado remains beautiful and economically strong
- Conservation values are protected so everyone who enjoys Colorado knows that their favorite view will be preserved, wildlife will have a home and we’ll have a place to grow our food
- You also don’t have to own land, donate a conservation easement or buy a tax credit to be positively impacted by ‘Colorado private land conservation’
“Tourism and agriculture are some of the top economic drivers in Colorado, can you imagine coming to Colorado and seeing nothing but condos as you drive out to the ski slope? Thanks to conservation easements, that will never happen!”
Ensuring Program Integrity
Plus the importance of proper execution:
Conservation easements have to be done correctly
Colorado enforces strict oversight to keep the program strong and prevent abuse. Tax Credit Connection ensures compliance by:
- Having attorneys review all documents and complete a 16-page checklist before state submission (on behalf of the landowner)
- Hiring appraisal experts to verify valuations (as the appraisal creates the financial value)
- Managing state paperwork for issuing valid certificates
- Drafting tax forms for both buyers and sellers, making compliance easier for financial advisors
“Tax compliance is a real deal… for tax preparers who haven’t had a client use these credits before, it can be a little tricky. Tax Credit Connection drafts the tax forms for both the sellers and the buyers, to make it easier for their tax/financial advisors”
Looking Ahead and Getting Involved
And finally, how individuals can get involved and help expand conservation efforts:
Transformation
This program has already transformed Colorado, protecting millions of acres while supporting working families. With the right legislation, we can give every state the same opportunity;
- To keep land in families
- To protect natural resources
- To strengthen local economies
“That’s the mission we’re bringing to Congress”
Buying a Ranch in The West
If you’re considering buying a ranch in the West, Colorado stands out for its exceptional tax credit program that rewards land conservation. It’s currently the only state, with such a generous tax credit program for conserving your land!
“By placing a conservation easement on your property; agreeing not to develop it, you can recover a significant portion of your purchase price through tax credits, while preserving your land as a lasting family legacy“
Work with An Experienced Western Ranch Broker
Working with an experienced ranch broker is essential…. That’s where M4 Ranch Group is the best choice.
“M4 Ranch Group has decades of experience identifying properties that meet conservation criteria, alongside offering strong appraised values to help maximize tax benefits. They pride themselves on being more than just brokers; they are partners in your ranching journey”
take part in conservation
Even if you’re not ready to buy a ranch…yet, but you have a large tax liability; you can still take part in conservation by purchasing available Colorado tax credits.
This provides immediate tax savings, often eliminating the need for estimated payments while directly supporting the protection of wildlife, clean air, and water for future generations.
“AND you’re part of the solution for the wildlife that enjoy our mountains and plains, you get to be a part of ensuring that will continue for generations… just by choosing to save money on your taxes!”
Tax Credit Connection
If you’d like to see this powerful program expanded nationwide, join us in advocating for conservation tax credits across America.
You can reach me directly at ariel@taxcreditconnection.com or 303‑827‑5851.
You can also reach out to Dan Murphy at M4 Ranch Group, for expert guidance on finding the ideal property and understanding how the many conservation benefits fit into your ranch goals.
Reach Dan Murphy, ALC directly on: (970) 209-1514 – Dan@M4RanchGroup.com
The M4 Ranch Group Team
With decades of combined expertise and a unique approach to ranch brokerage, our team delivers personalized service tailored to your goals. Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply exploring the possibilities of ranch ownership, we’re here to help you find your perfect property and turn your ranch dreams into reality.
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