Landowners United Advocacy Foundation – Colorado Farmers and Ranchers, defending private property rights, heritage and resources

Who is LUAF?

Landowners United Advocacy Foundation is a non profit group of Colorado Farmers and Ranchers protecting private property rights, heritage, and resources by holding the State of Colorado accountable for harm caused by corruption in the Colorado Conservation Easement Program.

What Happened?

Price-fixing and manipulation resulted from overreach of the Department of Revenue, the Conservation Easement Oversight Commission, and the Division of Real Estate. Despite formal complaints to the Attorney General’s Office regarding statutory violations, abuse of position, and incompetence there has been no investigation or relief.

Why should I Care?

Colorado tax payers forgo $45 million per year in tax revenue to fund tax credits associated with the conservation easement program, yet the Office of the State Auditor found that there is not an accounting of what types of resources (habitat, heritage, view corridors, open space, recreation, etc.) have been acquired in 20 years. There is no database, map, or resource available for information or future planning. In the swirling confusion hundreds of generational farmers and ranchers who participated in good faith found it was a “bait and switch”. They donated easement in perpetuity (forever), but the State of Colorado denied their tax credits and falsely accused them of participating in fraud. The Attorney General’s office spent $10+ million to litigate against the farmers and ranchers who were faced with crushing penalties, interest, and legal fees. As of 2019 – out of hundreds of cases – one (1) case led to conviction of a non-Colorado resident.