Easements Gone Wrong

When a nonprofit conservancy dissolves, their land trusts go into limbo, calling the restrictions on development into question.

1 minute read

December 21, 2009, 11:00 AM PST

By Tim Halbur


From The High Country News: "Conservation easements have become hugely popular in the West in recent years, especially in Colorado. Spurred by state tax credits worth up to $375,000, about 2 million Colorado acres have been protected by 38 land trusts and 12 government programs, according to the Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts. But it's come at a price: In 2008, the state uncovered tens of millions of dollars in questionable deals involving inflated easement appraisals."

Monday, December 21, 2009 in High Country News

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