SB 10 Colorado Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Agricultural Property Tax Definitions

Summary
The act broadens the definition of 'ranch' for purposes of property taxation to mean a parcel of land that is predominantly used for grazing livestock for the primary purpose of obtaining a monetary profit. A ranch must operate through a pasture-based operation, which is newly defined as a method of livestock management where pasture-grazed livestock have regular access to open pasture and derive a majority of their diet through grazing.     The act also broadens the definition of 'farm' for purposes of property taxation to mirror the predominant use language in the definition of 'ranch'. With this change, a farm means a parcel of land that is predominantly used to produce agricultural products that originate from the land's productivity for the primary purpose of obtaining a monetary profit.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Signed Mar 9, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 6 comparisons

What changed between versions

Final Act Signed Act · 3 edits · Mar 9, 2026
MINOR
This bill clarifies legal definitions regarding agricultural property tax classifications in Colorado. It updates the definition of a 'farm' to emphasize the primary purpose of obtaining monetary profit and modifies the definition of a 'ranch' to specify that it must be a 'pasture-based operation.' The changes aim to ensure these tax benefits apply to modern, smaller-scale agricultural operations while maintaining clear criteria for eligibility.
Scope change
The scope of the bill remains focused on property tax definitions for agricultural land, but the specific criteria for qualifying as a 'ranch' have been narrowed to require a pasture-based operation.
DEFINITION

The definition of 'farm' was updated to explicitly state that the land must be used primarily for obtaining monetary profit.

The definition of 'ranch' was changed to require that the operation be 'pasture-based,' meaning livestock have regular access to open pasture and derive a majority of their diet from grazing.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting adjustments were made to the bill header, sponsor lists, and section numbering to reflect the final signed version.

Floor votes · House Feb 23, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
7
Committee
2
Mar 9, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by the Speaker of the House
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President of the Senate
upper
Feb 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Introduced
Introduced In House - Assigned to Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Introduced
Introduced In House - Assigned to
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Agriculture & Natural Resources
upper
7 primary · 39 co-sponsors

Sponsors