Bill to Authorize Tax Deduction for Wildfire Mitigation Efforts Introduced

Rep. Rob Witwer, R-Evergreen, and Sen. Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, have introduced a bill that would give landowners that reside in areas adjacent to wildlands a tax deduction for amounts spent on wildfire mitigation.

HB 1110 would grant the deduction from state taxes for up to 50 percent of the landowners' direct expense or $2500 or the landowner's federal taxable income, whichever is the lesser amount. It would also allow the deduction only for expenses incurred consistently with a community wildfire protection plan approved by a city, town or county government.

Among the co-sponsors of the bill are Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, and Sen. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne. Republican House co-sponsors include Reps. Kent Lambert of Colorado Springs, Kevin Lundberg of Berthoud, Tom Massey of Poncha Springs, Frank McNulty of Highlands Ranch, Victor Mitchell of Castle Rock, Ellen Roberts of Durango and Al White of Steamboat Springs. Senate GOP co-sponsors include Ted Harvey of Highlands Ranch, Scott Renfroe of Greeley and Shawn Mitchell of Broomfield.