Donors 70.5 or older can make a gift, up to $100,000 annually, directly from a regular (not ROTH) IRA to CWLT and avoid paying taxes on that distribution.
IRA Gifts
Stock Gifts (Appreciated Stock)
Gifts of appreciated stock and mutual fund shares can offer tax benefits. As a donor, you can take a charitable deduction based on the value of the asset on the day it is transferred, and capital gains tax is avoided on the appreciated value.
Beneficiary Form Designation
One of the simplest ways to leave a legacy gift to Colorado West Land Trust (CWLT) is through a Beneficiary Form Designation. By designating the Land Trust as a beneficiary on your bank accounts, IRA, retirement plan, life insurance policy, stocks/bonds, or annuity, all or a portion of these assets can be directed to the work of Colorado West Land Trust.
Real Estate
Our experienced staff deals with real estate transactions daily. We would be happy to talk to you about how a gift of property can help achieve your personal goals and result in a tax benefit while expanding CWLT’s mission.
A Conservation Legacy
By Sharon Sullivan
Ed Chamberlin grew up in San Jose, California in the middle of a cherry orchard that he walked through daily to get to school. Nowadays, when he visits the city he says you can’t find a cherry tree.
“It used to be a rich agricultural area – now it’s wall to wall development – the entire valley. It broke my heart. It was a beautiful area,” Chamberlin said. “That could happen here,” if not for the work of our local land trust, which has helped conserve more than 65,000 acres in and around Mesa County.
Chamberlin, founder of Chamberlin Architects, and his wife Barb, decided to support the things they care about, such as agricultural lands and open space, by leaving a portion of their estate to Colorado West Land Trust. The nonprofit works with farmers to ensure that property remains forever in agriculture, as open space, or as an important wildlife habitat.
When creating their will, “Barb and I agreed that we didn’t want our kids to be trust-funders,” Ed said. “We wanted them to work to earn their own way and have the confidence you derive from that.”
Both of their children are adults with careers of their own who also give their time and money to causes they believe in. Barb said she learned from her parents that “It’s important to save some, spend some and give some,” which is “part of our legacy to our kids.”
The Land Trust relies on donations from individuals and families like the Chamberlins – “people who want to see our beautiful valley retain its character,” as Ed says.
Barb, a retired nurse and teacher, served on the CWLT board of directors for nine years. She remembers “solid urbanization” growing up in the northeastern United States and was amazed to see the open space of the West when she moved here decades ago.
As a volunteer with Colorado West Land Trust, “I enjoy meeting the property owners,” she said. “They love their land and take impeccable care of it. They’re hardworking, honest, and friendly. It’s an honor they became my friends.”