Rural Jump-Start | Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado

The Rural Jump-Start Program helps economically distressed communities attract new businesses and jobs. Counties, municipalities, and higher education institutions work together to apply for this program.

When a community is a designated rural jump-start zone, new businesses can receive incentive payments and tax relief including credits, exemptions, and refunds from:

state income tax
state sales and use tax
county and municipal personal property taxes

Employees of new businesses receive a tax credit for 100% of state income taxes on their wages for work in the rural jump-start zone.

The Rural Jump-Start Program began in January 2016 and will accept applications through December 31, 2025.

AGNC-Rural-Jump-Start-Flyer

The following counties within our region are part of the Rural Jump-Start Program:

Mesa County
Moffat County
Rio Blanco County
Routt County
Western Garfield County (excluding Carbondale and Glenwood Springs)

For more information about the Rural Jump-Start Program, go to the Office of Economic Development and International Trade’s (OEDIT) website at https://oedit.colorado.gov/rural-jump-start-program.