Seven Arapahoe County census tracts are among 91 new federal Opportunity Zones approved across Colorado, opening the door to tax-incentivized investment starting Jan. 1, 2027.
The U.S. Treasury approved every zone Gov. Jared Polis nominated, the state announced Monday, Nov. 2. Thirty-nine of the 91 zones sit in Denver, Adams, Arapahoe and Jefferson counties, as first reported by the Denver Gazette.
Polis estimated the new zones could generate more than $4 billion in total statewide investment, according to a joint release from his office and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT).
What Opportunity Zones mean for investors
The program gives investors tax benefits for putting capital into real estate, infrastructure and operating businesses in designated low-income areas. Under the updated federal law, investors can defer and reduce capital gains taxes, according to the OEDIT program page. Investments held for five years qualify for a 10% step-up in basis.
The new designations will remain in place through 2036, according to the Grand Junction Sentinel. The original Opportunity Zone program, launched in 2018, sunsets in December 2028.
Where the Arapahoe County zones are
OEDIT's approved list names seven Arapahoe County tracts: 08005005552, 08005005702, 08005006501, 08005007202, 08005007302, 08005081101 and 08005082000. Available evidence does not confirm whether any of these tracts fall within the Centennial or Greenwood Village ZIP codes of 80111 and 80121. Preliminary geographic data suggests the tracts may be concentrated in the northern and western parts of the county.
Residents and business owners can check exact boundaries using the OZ 2.0 Map tool on OEDIT's website.
How the program got here
A federal bill signed into law in July 2025 made the Opportunity Zone program permanent and updated eligibility rules, according to the Denver Gazette. The U.S. Treasury identified 362 eligible census tracts in Colorado. State officials could nominate up to 25% of those tracts, or 91.
OEDIT led a monthslong stakeholder process before submitting the nominations in September. The agency said it engaged local governments, economic development organizations and community leaders.
OEDIT Executive Director Eve Lieberman said in the state's release that the approval reflected "months of locally-informed collaboration that shaped our submission."
What's next
Colorado's first round of Opportunity Zones drew more than $3.2 billion in investment through the end of 2024, according to the state's release.
OEDIT said it will release guidance on grant funding for communities within the new zones before the end of 2026. The agency plans to offer webinars and additional grant information in early 2027. Communities can sign up for updates at OEDIT's Opportunity Zones webpage.
