About Us
We Created the Market
The New Mexico Conservation Cooperative is run by a land conservation attorney with 20 years experience in land conservation law and policy.
In 2000, Mike Strugar established the nation’s first market for transferring conservation tax Credits in Colorado. In 2003, he founded Virginia’s Conservation Credit Exchange and registered Virginia’s very first conservation tax Credit to be transferred. Through both his Colorado and Virginia programs he has facilitated the transfer of over 1,200 Credits valued at over $100 million.
Mike has established a strong working relationship with the Internal Revenue Service and works closely with the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. He monitors all tax credit legislation, and recently co-authored a publication, 2008 Model Conservation Credit Act, as guideline legislation for states considering enacting a conservation tax credit program.
Mike is a former partner in the law firm of Holme, Roberts, & Owen, and has been a regular adjunct faculty member at the University of Denver School of Law.