The Colorado legislature created the Enterprise Zone (EZ) Program to encourage development in economically distressed areas of the state. The 16 designated enterprise zones have high unemployment rates, low per capita income, or slow population growth. Region 10 manages the Enterprise Zone Program for 6 counties on the Western Slope; Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel. Enterprise Zone Contribution Projects encourage community participation and public private partnerships to revitalize Enterprise Zones.

As the region’s Enterprise Zone Administrator we work with local partners on proposals for contribution projects with defined timelines that improve the economy, create and retain jobs, expand businesses, and have community support.

Local nonprofit organizations and government entities manage contribution projects, and Local enterprise zone administrators review and advise contribution projects. The Colorado Economic Development Commission sets enterprise zone policies and approves all contribution projects.

Application Information

The goal of Enterprise Zone Contribution Projects is to create or preserve an environment that will help attract, expand, and retain employers in the Enterprise Zone (EZ). To encourage Colorado taxpayers to make contributions to nonprofits that make improvements to the Region 10 Enterprise Zone, a State Income Tax Credit equal to 25% of monetary contributions and 12.5% of in-kind contributions is available to donors who make contributions to approved EZ Contribution Projects.

 

Please review the following documents for more information on how an organization can apply for an approved Enterprise Zone Contribution Project.

Application Process Timeline
EZCP Policies
Blank Application

Project Categories & Types

Capital Campaigns

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. Capital campaign project categories are:

Community Facilities
Workforce Housing
Tourist Attractions
Infrastructure

Operations Campaigns

Operations projects fund new economic activity in the enterprise zone to achieve near-term goals. Operations project categories are:

Business Assistance
Economic Development Organizations
Job Training Programs
Visitor Events/Attractions
Healthcare
Homeless Housing and Employment Services

EZCP Economic Goals for 2022

Region 10 Enterprise Zone Annual Goals, that project must be achieving one or more of, are determined each year based on the Regional Community Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The Region 10 CEDS Committee is made up of representatives from local government, economic development entities, chambers of commerce, higher education, and human services community and through this Committee Region 10 has established 5 economic development objectives for our region’s contribution project.

Thriving Businesses

The region will create thriving businesses and quality jobs, by supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses with training, access to capital and innovative models of service such as incubators, co-working and innovation centers.

Skilled Workforce

The region will develop and retain a skilled and resilient workforce through training and educational opportunities and support for emerging and transitioning workforce including homeless, displaced and other vulnerable populations to increase income.

Robust & Resilient Infrastructure

The region will support the robust and resilient infrastructure to support resilient economies and communities, such as aviation, broadband, public lands to attract visitors and support residents and businesses measured by public and private investment.

Strengthen Industry Clusters

The region will support and strengthen our primary industry clusters: Agriculture, Tourism, Health Care, Outdoor Recreation and Manufacturing in order to increase the number of quality regional jobs.

Vibrant & Livable Communities

The region will create vibrant and livable communities to attract and support residents, businesses, and visitors including vibrant downtowns, attainable housing, quality air and transit services, and community facilities to grow population and sales tax.

Current Enterprise Zone Contribution Projects in Region 10

The Colorado Economic Development Commission has approved the following list of Projects that assist in implementing the economic development goals of the Region 10 Enterprise Zone. Any Colorado taxpayer, both businesses and individuals alike, can make charitable contributions through the EZ and take advantage of the tax credit. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the Colorado EZ tax credit impact on the Federal charitable deduction.

 

To make a contribution to any of the following organizations through the Enterprise Zone, please contact the respective organization or our office for additional information.

Adaptive Sports Center of Crested Butte

Operations Campaign

Visitor Attraction

Project Ending

December 31, 2022

EZ Area Served

Gunnison

Economic Development Goal

Support a diverse economy including support for agriculture, tourism, outdoor recreation, healthcare and manufacturing to increase number of regional jobs and maintain employment levels.
All Points Transit

Operations Campaign

Business Assistance

Project Ending

December 31, 2026

EZ Area Served

Delta, Montrose, Ouray, West End San Miguel

Economic Development Goal

Create communities that attract and support residents, businesses, and visitors including vibrant downtowns, affordable housing, quality air and transit services, and community facilities to maintain and grow population and sales taxes.
Center for the Arts Crested Butte Visitor Attraction

Operations Campaign

Visitor Attraction

Project Ending

December 31, 2026

EZ Area Served

Gunnison

Economic Development Goal

Support a diverse economy including support for agriculture, tourism, outdoor recreation, healthcare and manufacturing to increase number of regional jobs and maintain employment levels.
City of Montrose Trails Expansion & Improvement

Capital Campaign

Infrastructure

Project Ending

December 31, 2022

EZ Area Served

Montrose

Economic Development Goal

Assist local communities in creating atmosphere to support retention and relocation, including housing, mainstreet models, downtown improvement, etc.
Colorado Flights Alliance

Operations Campaign

Economic Development Organization

Project Ending

December 31, 2024

EZ Area Served

Montrose, Ouray

Economic Development Goal

Support and promote strong and diversified tourism to provide regional means for economic development, including diverse regional transit and transportation, including increases in flights for region representing tourism and business travel.
Community Options, Inc. Capital Campaign

Capital Campaign

Community Facility

Project Ending

December 31, 2022

EZ Area Served

Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale Montrose, Ouray, West End San Miguel

Economic Development Goal

Increase job training programs to up-skill workers, ensuring greater economic mobility and employment opportunity, through the addition of contribution projects and utilization of job training business credits
Delta County Memorial Hospital & Clinics System

Operations Campaign

Healthcare

Project Ending

June 30, 2022

EZ Area Served

Delta

Economic Development Goal

The community will have access to health and wellness opportunities.
Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center
Capital & Operations Campaign

Capital & Operations Campaign

Visitor Event/Attraction

Project Ending

December 30, 2025

EZ Area Served

Delta

Economic Development Goal

Support a diverse economy including support for agriculture, tourism, outdoor recreation, healthcare and manufacturing to increase number of regional jobs and maintain employment levels.
Gunnison Arts Center Capital Campaign

Capital Campaign

Tourist Attraction

Project Ending

December 31, 2025

EZ Area Served

Gunnison

Economic Development Goal

Support a diverse economy including support for agriculture, tourism, outdoor recreation, healthcare and manufacturing to increase number of regional jobs and maintain employment levels.
Gunnison Arts Center Operations

Operations Campaign

Visitor Event/Attraction

Project Ending

December 31, 2027

EZ Area Served

Gunnison

Economic Development Goal

The region will create vibrant and livable communities to attract and support residents, businesses, and visitors including vibrant downtowns, attainable housing, quality air and transit services, and community facilities to grow population and sales tax.
Gunnison Pioneer Museum Capital Campaign

Capital Campaign

Tourist Attraction

Project Ending

December 31, 2025

EZ Area Served

Gunnison

Economic Development Goal

Support a diverse economy including support for agriculture, tourism, outdoor recreation, healthcare and manufacturing to increase number of regional jobs and maintain employment levels.
Gunnison Valley Health EMS
Capital Campaign

Capital Campaign

Community Facility

Project Ending

December 31, 2026

EZ Area Served

Gunnison, Sections of Montrose & Hinsdale

Economic Development Goal

Create communities that attract and support residents, businesses, and visitors including vibrant downtowns, affordable housing, quality air and transit services, and community facilities to maintain and grow population and sales taxes.
Habitat for Humanity of the San Juans

Capital Campaign

Workforce Housing

Project Ending

December 31, 2026

EZ Area Served

Montrose & Ouray

Economic Development Goal

Create communities that attract and support residents, businesses, and visitors including vibrant downtowns, affordable housing, quality air and transit services, and community facilities to maintain and grow population and sales taxes.
Haven House Operations & Capital Campaign

Operations Campaign

Homeless Support

Project Ending

December 31, 2026

EZ Area Served

Montrose, Delta, Ouray & West End of San Miguel

Economic Development Goal

Develop and attract a skilled and talented workforce including training and educational opportunities, support for emerging and transitioning workforce including homeless, displaced and other vulnerable populations to increase median income.
Hilltop Community Resources Operations

Operations Campaign

Homeless Support

Project Ending

December 31, 2025

EZ Area Served

Delta, Montrose & Ouray

Economic Development Goal

Develop and attract a skilled and talented workforce including training and educational opportunities, support for emerging and transitioning workforce including homeless, displaced and other vulnerable populations to increase median income.
HopeWest
Operations Campaign

Operations Campaign

Healthcare

Project Ending

December 31, 2024

EZ Area Served

Delta & Montrose

Economic Development Goal

Assist communities in creating atmosphere to support retention/relocation, including housing, main street, downtown improvement, access to healthcare, recreation, and other opportunities to attract new population and businesses.
Lake City Economic Development

Operations Campaign

Economic Development Organization

Project Ending

December 31, 2026

EZ Area Served

Hinsdale

Economic Development Goal

Support a diverse economy including support for agriculture, tourism, outdoor recreation, healthcare and manufacturing to increase number of regional jobs and maintain employment levels.
Montrose Economic Development Corporation

Operations Campaign

Economic Development Organization

Project Ending

December 31, 2023

EZ Area Served

Montrose

Economic Development Goal

Assist local communities creating atmosphere, support retention/relocation, including housing/mainstreet/downtown improve access to healthcare, recreation, other community development and facilities to attract new population and businesses.
Ouray County Historical Society Phase 2

Capital Campaign

Tourist Attraction

Project Ending

December 31, 2023

EZ Area Served

Ouray

Economic Development Goal

Support a diverse economy including support for agriculture, tourism, outdoor recreation, healthcare and manufacturing to increase number of regional jobs and maintain employment levels.
Ouray County Ranch History Museum

Capital Campaign

Tourist Attraction

Project Ending

December 31, 2024

EZ Area Served

Ouray

Economic Development Goal

Support and promote strong and diversified tourism to provide regional means for economic development, including diverse regional transit and transportation, including increases in flights for region representing tourism and business travel.
Region 10 Broadband Infrastructure

Capital Campaign

Infrastructure

Project Ending

December 31, 2022

EZ Area Served

Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel

Economic Development Goal

Ridgway July Concert Series

Operations Campaign

Visitor/Event Attraction

Project Ending

December 31, 2027

EZ Area Served

Ouray

Economic Development Goal

Support a diverse economy including support for agriculture, tourism, outdoor recreation, healthcare and manufacturing to increase number of regional jobs and maintain employment levels.
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory

Capital Campaign

Community Facility

Project Ending

December 31, 2023

EZ Area Served

Gunnison

Economic Development Goal

Support and promote strong and diversified tourism to provide regional means for economic development.
Sharing Ministries

Operations Campaign

Community Development

Project Ending

December 31, 2022

EZ Area Served

Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, Ouray, West End San Miguel

Economic Development Goal

Solar Energy International

Capital Campaign

Community Facility

Project Ending

December 31, 2023

EZ Area Served

Delta

Economic Development Goal

Increase job training programs to up-skill workers, ensuring greater economic mobility and employment opportunity, through the addition of contribution projects and utilization of job training business credits.
The Historic Sherbino Theater Operations

Operations Campaign

Visitor/Event Attraction

Project Ending

December 31, 2026

EZ Area Served

Ouray

Economic Development Goal

Support a diverse economy including support for agriculture, tourism, outdoor recreation, healthcare and manufacturing to increase number of regional jobs and maintain employment levels.
The Wright Opera House

Operations Campaign

Tourist Event/Attraction

Project Ending

December 31, 2025

EZ Area Served

Ouray

Economic Development Goal

Support and promote strong and diversified tourism to provide regional means for economic development.
Top Of Pines: Operations, Maintenance and Enhancements

Operations Campaign

Visitor Event/Attraction

Project Ending

December 31, 2026

EZ Area Served

Ouray

Economic Development Goal

Support a diverse economy including support for agriculture, tourism, outdoor recreation, healthcare and manufacturing to increase number of regional jobs and maintain employment levels.
Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership

Operations Campaign

Economic Development

Project Ending

December 31, 2022

EZ Area Served

Ouray

Economic Development Goal

Ute Indian Museum

Capital & Operations Campaign

Tourist Attraction & Visitor/Event Attraction

Project Ending

December 31, 2022

EZ Area Served

Montrose

Economic Development Goal

Welcome Home Montrose, Inc.

Operations Campaign

Economic Development

Project Ending

December 31, 2022

EZ Area Served

Montrose

Economic Development Goal

West End Economic Development Corporation

Operations Campaign

Economic Development

Project Ending

December 31, 2022

EZ Area Served

Montrose

Economic Development Goal

Ensure that the West End has the resources needed to support business expansion, formation, and attraction.
Trish Thibodo

Meet Trish Thibodo

Community Development Director

From city dweller to rural advocate, Trish has a breadth of experience that has landed her at the forefront of community development. For 30 years she has been working with local nonprofits and state government in developing and sustaining vibrant communities across the U.S. Recognized statewide for her insights and strategies that helped Delta County mitigate the negative economic impact of local coal mine closures, the State of Colorado tapped Trish to oversee two of the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) statewide rural programs.

In 2019, Trish joined Region 10 as its Community Development Director and now spearheads teams to identify local challenges and implement projects to create solutions in the six-county area, including Delta, Montrose, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Ouray, and San Miguel counties. Trish holds a Masters of Arts degree from Northern Colorado University in Greeley.