Colorado Agricultural Future Loan Program Modifications

Detected March 6th, 2026

Summary

Colorado Bill SB26-064 modifies the state's Agricultural Future Loan Program to expand eligibility for funding. The bill allows certain entities, including water districts and ditch companies with support from conservation divisions, to qualify for loans aimed at conserving agricultural land and facilitating ownership transfers to eligible farmers and ranchers.

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What changed

Colorado Bill SB26-064 amends the Agricultural Future Loan Program to broaden the definition of eligible entities. Previously, eligibility was likely more restricted. Now, entities such as water districts, irrigation districts, and ditch and reservoir companies, provided they have a letter of support from a division of conservation-certified entity, can qualify for program funding. The bill also directs the commissioner of agriculture to prioritize loans for acquiring and conserving agriculturally productive land, and for transferring ownership to eligible farmers and ranchers.

This modification will likely impact agricultural businesses and water management entities in Colorado by potentially increasing access to funding for land acquisition and conservation. Regulated entities that fit the new criteria should review the bill's specifics and the forthcoming rules from the commissioner of agriculture. While no specific compliance deadline is mentioned in the bill text, entities interested in applying for these loans should prepare to meet the updated eligibility requirements and any new procedural guidelines once the rules are adopted.

What to do next

Review updated eligibility criteria for the Colorado Agricultural Future Loan Program.
Monitor adoption of new rules by the commissioner of agriculture regarding loan prioritization.
Prepare documentation for potential loan applications under the expanded program.

Source document (simplified)

SB26-064

Modify Colorado Agricultural Future Loan Program

| Type | Bill |
| --- | --- |
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Agriculture Business & Economic Development |
Concerning modifying the Colorado agricultural future loan program to allow certain eligible entities to qualify for funding from the program.

Recent Bill (PDF) Recent Fiscal Note (PDF) Bill Summary:

The bill modifies the Colorado agricultural future loan program (program) to permit certain eligible entities to receive funding from the program. An eligible entity is defined as an entity that is certified by the division of conservation or an entity that:

Is a district that has authority to conduct water activities, an irrigation district, or a ditch and reservoir company; and
Has a letter of support from an entity certified by the division of conservation. The bill directs the commissioner of agriculture to adopt rules that prioritize the provision of loans to eligible entities that apply for loans in order to acquire and conserve agriculturally productive land and to transfer ownership of that land to an eligible farmer or rancher who qualifies for a loan from the program.

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Prime Sponsors

Senator

Cleave Simpson
Senator

Dylan Roberts
Representative

Karen McCormick
Representative

Matt Soper

Committees

Senate

Agriculture & Natural Resources

House

Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources

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Status

Under Consideration

Introduced

Under Consideration

Upcoming Schedule

1 meeting

Fri

Mar 6

House General Orders - Second Reading of Bills

9:00 AM House Chamber

Related Documents & Information

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 02/11/2026 | Reengrossed | PDF |
| 02/10/2026 | Engrossed | PDF |
| 01/28/2026 | Introduced | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 02/02/2026 | FN1 | PDF |

| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refer Senate Bill 26-064 to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 9-4. | Vote summary |
Committee Report: PDF
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refer Senate Bill 26-064 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. | The motion passed on a vote of 7-0. | Vote summary |
Committee Report: PDF
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 02/11/2026 | Third Reading | BILL | 30 AYE 2 NO 3 OTHER | Vote record |

| Date | Location | Action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/05/2026 | House | House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments |
| 03/02/2026 | House | House Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 02/12/2026 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources |
| 02/11/2026 | Senate | Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 02/10/2026 | Senate | Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 02/05/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole |
| 01/28/2026 | Senate | Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Agriculture & Natural Resources |
Prime Sponsor

Sen. D. Roberts | Sen. C. Simpson

Rep. K. McCormick | Rep. M. Soper

Sponsor

(None) Co-Sponsor