The goal of Enterprise Zone projects is to create or preserve an environment that will help attract, expand or retain employers in the Enterprise Zone. To encourage Colorado taxpayers to make contributions to non-profits that make improvements to the Pikes Peak Enterprise Zone, a State Income Tax Credit equal to 25% of monetary contributions is available.
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:
Operations Projects: Operations projects fund new economic activity in the enterprise zone to achieve near-term goals. Eligible Operations project categories include:
Social services are not typically eligible for EZ Contribution Project status because they do not achieve near-term economic development goals. These include:
Important Note: Due to the current COVID-19 crisis and the associated State budget cuts, many of Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade’s (OEDIT) programs are being scaled back, including the Enterprise Zone (EZ) Program.
The State Economic Development Commission (EDC) is now using a stricter lens to evaluate all new EZ Contribution Project applications, and applicants must be able to clearly demonstrate direct impact on economic prosperity in the region.
For questions or concerns, please contact the Pikes Peak EZ Administrator: Sara Lobato via email at saralobato@elpasoco.com
The Colorado Economic Development Commission and the El Paso County Enterprise Zone Administrator have approved the following list of projects that assist in implementing the economic development goals of the Enterprise Zone. Both businesses and individuals can take advantage of the tax credit. If the donation and recipient are eligible under federal rules, the federal charitable contribution deduction can be taken, and no credits are allowed for contributions that directly benefit the contributor.
To make a contribution to any of the following organizations though the Enterprise Zone, please contact the respective organization or our office for more information.
Catholic Charities of Central Colorado – Homeless Support: Marian House and Family Connections Campuses (719) 866-6440
Chamber Orchestra of the Springs (719) 633-6349
Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and EDC (719) 471-8183
Colorado Springs Conservatory (719) 577-4556
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (719) 477-4319
Colorado Springs Philharmonic (719) 575-9632
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum (719) 385-5633
Colorado Springs Sports Corporation: Sports Industry Attraction/Retention (719) 634-7333
Community Ventures Public Benefit Programs (719) 886-0088
Cottonwood Artists’ School (719) 520-1899
Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (COPPeR): Peak Radar (719) 634-2204
Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs (719) 886-0088
El Paso County Fairgrounds Barns Replacement Project (719) 520-6996
Goodwill Workforce Development (719) 381-9489
Greccio Housing: Workforce Housing (719) 475-1422
Homeward Pikes Peak (719) 955-0731
Manitou Springs Heritage Center – Capital Campaign (719) 418-3736
Mary’s Home – Operations (719) 247-2007
Mary’s Home Capital Campaign: Phase 3 – Independent Living
Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center (719) 772-7000
National Cybersecurity Center (719) 255-5225
Olympic City USA (719) 385-5484
Partners in Housing: Homeless Family Self-Sufficiency Program (719) 325-5835
Pikes Peak America’s Mountain – Summit Complex (719) 385-7705
Pikes Peak Community College Campus Expansion & Workforce Development Initiative (719) 502-2056
Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity: Micah’s View & Jacob’s Run (719) 475-7800
Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity: The Ridge at Sand Creek (719) 475-7800
Pikes Peak Trolley Museum and Restoration Shop (719) 475-9508
Pikes Peak United Way 2-1-1 Information and Referral (719) 457-1317
PILLAR Institute for Lifelong Learning (719) 633-4991
Space Foundation and Discovery Center (719) 576-8000
Space Foundation Discovery Center Capital Campaign (719) 576-8000
Springs Rescue Mission: Homeless Housing & Employment Services (719) 632-1822
Springs Rescue Mission: Welcome Center Capital Campaign (719) 632-1822
The Place: Youth Exiting Homelessness to Live Self-Determined, Fulfilled Lives (719) 630-3223
The Salvation Army: Homeless Shelter and Transitional Housing (719) 884-1052
US Olympic & Paralympic Museum – Capital Campaign (719) 358-6325
US Olympic & Paralympic Museum – Operations (719) 358-6325
Venetucci Farm Capital Improvements (719) 389-1251
Westside CARES (719) 389-0759
Working Fusion at Mill Street Capital Campaign (719) 232-1252
Working Fusion at Mill Street Operations (719) 232-1252
Sara Lobato
Economic Development Senior Analyst
Pikes Peak Enterprise Zone Administrator
9 E. Vermijo Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: 719-520-6480
saralobato@elpasoco.com
Lauren Johnson
Economic Development Coordinator
9 E. Vermijo Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: 719-520-6236
laurenjohnson@elpasoco.com
