Application Process

Step 1: Confirm Zone inclusion
Utilize OEDIT’s interactive enterprise zone map to determine if your business is located with the Enterprise Zone (EZ) boundaries. OEDIT EZ Interactive Map

Step 2: Pre-Certify
Annual Pre-Certification is required for each business location prior to any eligible investments or activities

Step 3: Certify
Certification is completed at the end of the tax year to earn tax credits for activities performed during the Pre-Certification period

Step 4: Submit
Tax credits are claimed by filing the approved EZ Certification with the business' state income tax return

Enterprise Zone (EZ) Pre-Certification Application

As a result of legislative changes to Colorado’s Enterprise Zone (EZ) Program in 2012, businesses are now required to complete an EZ Pre-Certification application online each year in order to qualify for Enterprise Zone tax credits.

What is EZ Pre-Certification?

EZ Pre-Certification is a quick and simple online process that confirms your business’s eligibility to earn and claim valuable tax credits under the Enterprise Zone Program.

When to Pre-Certify:

• You can submit your Pre-Certification application up to 90 days before the start of your business’s tax year.
• You may also Pre-Certify at any point during your tax year, but your business will only be eligible to earn tax credits from the date of certification forward – credits cannot be earned retroactively for periods before Pre-Certification.

How to Apply:

1. Visit the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade’s (OEDIT) Enterprise Zone page.
2. Click the “Apply for a tax credit” button to begin.
3. Your application will be reviewed and approved by your local EZ Administrator.
4. Be sure to keep the approval email for your records.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the process, feel free to reach out to your local EZ Administrator.

Apply Now

Enterprise Zone (EZ) Certification Application

Once your business tax year has ended – and before you file your Colorado state tax return – you must complete the EZ Certification application to earn Enterprise Zone tax credits.

Important: You must already have an approved Pre-Certification for the same tax year in order to complete a Certification application and earn credits.

When to Certify:

• After your tax year ends and before submitting your tax return to the Colorado Department of Revenue.

How to Apply:

1. Visit the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade’s (OEDIT) Enterprise Zone page.
2. Click the “Apply for a tax credit” button to begin the Certification process
3. You will need your EZ Pre-Certification number from your approved Pre-Certification application – have it ready when completing the Certification form.
4. Upon approval, you’ll receive an official EZ Certification Tax Credit Certificate by email from the State.

Be sure to keep this certificate for your records, as it will be needed when filing your taxes.

Apply Now

EZ Pre-certification and Certification Application Tutorial

Enterprise Zone Contribution Projects

About the Program

The primary goal of the Enterprise Zone (EZ) Contribution Project Program is to create or preserve an environment that will help attract, expand, and retain employers in the EZ.

The official website for the Enterprise Contribution Tax Credit can be found at: https://oedit.colorado.gov/enterprise-zone-contribution-tax-credit

Colorado Taxpayer Incentives

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 Types

• 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
• Most Human Services
• Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
• Homeless Support and Prevention Services**

**As of January 1, 2023, Homeless Support and Prevention Service Providers in Colorado 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 nonprofit organizations and projects.