CONSERVATION EASEMENT APPRAISAL

A conservation easement appraisal is not a standard land appraisal, and the difference matters.

The value of a donated or purchased easement must be established through a qualified before-and-after analysis that meets the documentation and standards requirements of the IRS, the Colorado Division of Conservation, and the land trust or agency holding the easement. We collaborate closely with your team of advisors while preserving our independence and objectivity.

THE METHOD

The Before-and-After Method

We measure the value of the easement as the difference between two conclusions: the market value of the fee simple interest at its highest and best use before the easement is imposed, and the market value of the property under the restrictions the easement places on it.

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Reaching each conclusion reliably requires command of the local market, the relevant comparable sales, and the specific restrictions written into the easement deed.