Tax credits abound when donating to Contribution Projects

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sometimes, for various reasons, The Business Times isn’t able to print everything it wanted to present in a story. When that happens and we feel the need to provide what the original story was missing, we’ll bring you “More to the Story.” In the Sept. 24-Oct. 1 edition’s story about the redesigned Mesa County Enterprise Zone map that goes into effect Jan. 1, we weren’t able to present details about the enterprise zone’s Contribution Project Program. So, here it is now:

Mesa County currently has 23 nonprofit organizations (but it can also be a government entity) with projects that businesses and individuals can donate money to, and 25 percent of the amount donated goes back to the donor in tax credits. Or if in-kind donations are made to the eligible projects, 12.5 percent comes back to the donor in tax credits.

In either case, the tax credit can be deferred for up to five years.

The reason these projects are tied to Colorado’s enterprise zones, according to Mesa County Enterprise Zone Program Administrator Kristin Rau, is “it ultimately serves the purpose of stimulating the economy and getting us out of that distress criteria.”

And the community ends up with worthwhile amenities, such as the new building Marillac Clinic Inc. dba PrimeHealth+ built at 526 29 1/2 Road.

Rau said the PrimeHealth+ Capital Campaign, its current active Contribution Project and the one that supported its new building, received 499 total Contribution Project donations, $377,000 cash and $394,000 in-kind.

PrimeHealth+ Chief Development Officer Kristy Schmidt said the tax credits are a good incentive, which they mention to potential donors.

“We put that out there,” she said. “It’s on our website, all of our materials. … That’s a benefit they can receive.”

Schmidt added the hospital hears back from donors that it makes a difference. She added, “It’s good for us, and it’s good for our donors.”

Rau said all Contribution Projects for Mesa County for the prior 10 years combined to receive 28,000 total donations, $44 million cash and $7 million in-kind.

2025 Contribution Project Program

For more information about the Mesa County Enterprise Zone and the Contribution Project Program, go online to: gjincubator.org/mesa-county-enterprise-zone.

You also can call Mesa County Enterprise Zone Program Administrator Kristin Rau at 970-243-5242.

The Qualifying Projects

The following 23 nonprofit organizations are certified Mesa County Enterprise Zone Contribution Projects, as of September 2025:

• Avalon Theatre Foundation – Diann Admire Dressing Room Project
• Business Incubator Center
• Colorado Mesa University Theater Building
• Colorado Mesa University Medical Building
• Community Hospital Capital Campaign
• Counseling and Education Center
• Confluence Center of Colorado
• Eureka! Math & Science Center/Operations
• Friends of the Grand Junction Union Depot
• Grand Mesa Nordic Council
• Grand Junction Soccer Club/Operations Campaign
• Grand Junction Economic Partnership
• Grand Valley Creative Alliance – Capital Campaign
• Habitat for Humanity Build
• HopeWest Operations Campaign
• PrimeHealth+ Capital Campaign
• Foster Alumni Mentors – The Inspired Starfish
• Museum of Western Colorado
• RiversEdge West
• STRIVE/Operations
• St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation/Specific Programs
• Western Colorado Community Foundation/Capital
• Western Colorado Center for the Arts