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
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Byron Pelton
RRepublican
P
Dylan Roberts
DDemocratic
P
Julie McCluskie
DDemocratic
P
Karen McCormick
DDemocratic
P
Marc Catlin
RRepublican
P
Matt Martinez
DDemocratic
P
Matt Soper
RRepublican
Co
Barbara Kirkmeyer
RRepublican
Co
Bob Marshall
DDemocratic
Co
Brianna Titone
DDemocratic
Co
Cathy Kipp
DDemocratic
Co
Chris Richardson
RRepublican
Co
Cleave Simpson
RRepublican
Co
Dafna Michaelson Jenet
DDemocratic
Co
Iman Jodeh
DDemocratic
Co
James Coleman
DDemocratic
Co
Janice Rich
RRepublican
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