1. (1) There is created in the department the division of conservation. The executive director is authorized by this section to employ, subject to the provisions of the state personnel system laws of the state, a director of the division, who in turn shall employ such deputies, clerks, and assistants as are necessary to discharge the duties imposed by this article 15. The division and the director of the division are type 2 entities, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercise their powers and perform their duties and functions under the department.
2. (2) It is the duty of the director of the division, or his or her designee, to aid in the administration and enforcement of this article 15 and to administer, in consultation with the conservation easement oversight commission, the certification of conservation easement holders and issuance of tax credit certificates as provided in this article 15.
3. (3) To aid in the administration and enforcement of this article 15, the division has the authority to accept grants for and act as a holder of conservation easements in gross.

Source: L. 2019: Entire title R&RE with relocations, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 717, § 1, effective October 1. L. 2021: (3) added, (HB 21-1233), ch. 385, p. 2577, § 1, effective June 30. L. 2022: (1) amended, (SB 22-162), ch. 469, p. 3392, § 113, effective August 10. L. 2025: (1) amended, (SB 25-275), ch. 377, p. 2041, § 55, effective August 6.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 12-61-1102 as it existed prior to 2019.

Cross references: For the short title (the Debbie Haskins 'Administrative Organization Act of 1968' Modernization Act) in SB 22-162, see section 1 of chapter 469, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.