Opportunity Zone 2.0 Designation On The Western Slope

Thank you for joining us this week for an important conversation regarding the Opportunity Zone (OZ) 2.0 designation, co-hosted by the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, the Business Incubator Center, and the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT).

OEDIT is embarking on a multi-month process to support the Governor in nominating up to 25% of Colorado's low-income census tracts to be opportunity zones. Historically, Opportunity Zones have acted as a powerful incentive to spur investment and support economic development, and community input regarding eligible census tracts under OZ 2.0 is imperative. 

OZ 2.0 Timeline and Key Dates: 

• April 6, 2026: U.S. Treasury releases list of eligible tracts and OZ guidance
• May 2026: OEDIT makes public: 

  • Input form on where to designate zones - DUE JUNE 30, 2026 

  • Data index showing eligible tract scores on a variety of indicators

  • GIS map providing a visual of eligible tracts and subset indicators

• July 1 - September 30, 2026: 90 Day designation period for Colorado to nominate OZ 2.0 designations to the U.S. Treasury 
• July - December 2026: 
  • OEDIT will establish OZ 2.0 implementation grants for designated OZs
  • OEDIT will update the Colorado OZ Investment Database
• October - December 2026: U.S. Treasury will release designated OZ 2.0 census tracts
• January 1, 2027: New OZs are live for investment, designated for a 10-year period (2027 - 2036) 

 Download a PDF copy of the event slides

Opportunity Zone Informational Flyers

OZ Designation Process

Qualified Opportunity Zone Business

Public Input: OZ 2.0 Designation Tools

OEDIT Data Tools for Public Input 

Links to all tools are available at oedit.colorado.gov/oz

• OZ 2.0 Designation Input Form: The input form invites all interested parties to advocate for which OZ 2.0 eligible census tracts should be prioritized for OZ 2.0 status. Submissions are due by June 30, 2026. 
  
  
• OZ 2.0 Designation Index: The Index provides a preliminary score of all OZ eligible tracts based on three tiers of State Strategic Priorities: a tract's 1) need and capacity for the creation of market-rate housing; 2) economic need; and 3) economic opportunity. 

• OZ 2.0 Designation GIS Tools: The GIS Tool offers the ability to visualize the eligible tracts on a GIS map, as well as additional layers representing the State Strategic Priorities. 

Upcoming Webinar

Webinar: Public Input Tools for Colorado's Opportunity Zone 2.0 Designation Process

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 • 1:00 - 2:00 PM 

Join OEDIT for a walkthrough of the tools developed for public input on census tracts for Colorado's OZ 2.0 designation. This webinar will be recorded. 

Register here to join us: Public Input Tools for Colorado’s Opportunity Zone 2.0 Designation Process