Taxes

Rewarding investment and innovation.

Colorado provides a competitive tax structure that rewards investments and business innovation. All levels of government recognize the importance of providing citizens services and infrastructure while maintaining a fair and equitable tax structure.

Colorado has the 13th-most business-friendly tax climate according to the Tax Foundation's 2010 State Business Tax Climate Index. Also, Colorado has the 12th-best corporate tax index.

In November 2005, Coloradoans voted to invest in Colorado’s future, without raising taxes. Referendum C allows the state to retain excess tax revenues and permits the state to spend those revenues on K-12 public education, healthcare, public higher education, and transportation projects.

In 2010, Governor Bill Ritter signed into law economic development bills including HB 10-1333, the Green Jobs Colorado Program; HB 10-1180, incentives for the Colorado film industry; SB 10-158, the Creative Industries Division bill; and SB 10-162, enterprise zone modernization.

In addition, Colorado offers various targeted tax incentive programs to companies creating new jobs and investment in the state:

Colorado Targeted Tax Incentives

Aircraft Manufacturer Tax Credit - Aircraft manufacturers that locate within a Colorado Aviation Development Zone (ADZ) may qualify for a state income tax credit of $1,200 per new employee.
Biotechnology Sales and Use Tax Refund - Qualified taxpayers may seek a refund every year for all Colorado sales and use taxes they paid on purchases of tangible personal property used directly and predominately in research and development of biotechnology.
Colorado Film Incentives Cash Fund - Films produced in Colorado can qualify for a 10% rebate of Colorado production expenses for motion picture, television, and similar film productions.

Local Property Tax Incentives

The Colorado Urban and Rural Enterprise Zone Act and House Bill 02-1399 enable local governments, at their discretion, to provide property tax credits or incentive payments (Business Incentive Agreements (BIA)) based on the amount of increased property taxes for qualifying new business activity in their jurisdictions.