Pikes Peak Enterprise Zone Contribution Project Program

The goal of the Enterprise Zone Contribution Project Program is to create or preserve an environment that will help attract, expand, and retain employers in the Enterprise Zone (EZ). State income tax credits equal to 25% of monetary contributions and 12.5% of in-kind contributions are available to Colorado taxpayers who make charitable contributions to approved nonprofits that improve the economic conditions of the EZ.

Eligible EZ Contribution Project Categories:

Capital Campaign Projects: Capital campaign projects encourage public/private partnerships, raise money for a specific capital project to serve the broader community, and begin construction or implementation within five years. Eligible Capital campaign project categories include:

    • Community Facility
    • Workforce Housing
    • Tourist Attraction
    • Infrastructure

Operations Projects: Operations projects fund new economic activity in the enterprise zone to achieve near-term goals. Eligible Operations project categories include:

    • Business Assistance
    • Economic Development Organizations
    • Job Training Programs
    • Visitor Event/Attraction
    • Healthcare

Ineligible EZ Contribution Project Categories:

Social services are not typically eligible for EZ Contribution Project status because they do not achieve near-term economic development goals. These include:

    • Endowments
    • General Education
    • Food Subsidies and Food Banks
    • Child Care and Youth Activities
    • Eldercare
    • Homeless Support and Prevention Services**
    • Most Human Services
    • Animal Shelters and Humane Societies

Pikes Peak Enterprise Zone Economic Development Goals:

  • Support business opportunities – and increase the number of out-of-area visitors to EZ contribution projects – that promote the region’s heritage, unique cultures, scenic beauty, wildlife, arts, sporting activities, and other tourism opportunities.
  • Support and encourage increased employment opportunities by partnering with economic development-focused agencies and businesses in marketing, recruitment, and training efforts, resulting in new or increased job opportunities within the EZ.
  • In partnership with community stakeholders, support the revitalization of existing business districts through rehabilitation and business expansion.
  • Support Workforce Housing Capital Campaigns, promoting a variety of housing and job opportunities in the region, resulting in an increase in successful housing outcomes and job placements.

Approved Pikes Peak EZ Contribution Projects as of September 21, 2023:

The Colorado Economic Development Commission has approved the following list of Projects that assist in implementing the economic development goals of the Pikes Peak Enterprise Zone. Any Colorado taxpayer, both businesses and individuals alike, can make charitable contributions through the EZ and take advantage of the tax credit. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the Colorado EZ tax credit impact on the Federal charitable deduction.

To make a contribution to any of the following organizations through the Enterprise Zone, please contact the respective organization or our office for additional information.

**As of January 1, 2023, Homeless Support and Prevention Service Providers in Colorado may no longer participate in the EZ Contribution Project Program, and may now participate in the Colorado Homeless Contribution Income Tax Credit Program (HCTC) Program. Please visit the Colorado Department of Local Affairs website for more information regarding the HCTC Program, as well as a listing of eligible nonprofits organizations and projects:

Contact us:

Sara Lobato
Pikes Peak Enterprise Zone Administrator
9 E. Vermijo Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: 719-520-6480
saralobato@elpasoco.com

Lauren Johnson-LeGrand
Economic Development Project Coordinator
9 E. Vermijo Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: 719-520-6236
laurenjohnsonlegrand@elpasoco.com