A Colorado Granter Retained Annuity Trust (GREAT) is a legally recognized estate planning tool that allows individuals to transfer assets to beneficiaries while minimizing estate and gift taxes. It is specifically structured to help individuals in Colorado protect their assets and control their wealth distribution. The primary purpose of a Colorado GREAT is to allow the granter to transfer appreciating assets to beneficiaries while retaining an annuity income stream for a predetermined period. By setting up a GREAT, the granter can transfer assets out of their taxable estate, potentially reducing estate taxes. The annuity payments received by the granter are determined at the creation of the trust and are based on factors such as the trust's value, duration, and interest rates. There are different types of Colorado Grants, each offering distinct advantages based on the granter's financial goals: 1. Standard GREAT: This is the most basic type of GREAT, where the granter retains a fixed annuity payment throughout the trust's duration. Any growth that exceeds the Section 7520 rate, set by the IRS, goes to the beneficiaries without gift tax consequences. 2. Zeroed-out GREAT: In this type of GREAT, the annuity payment is set to exhaust the value of the trust entirely by the end of the trust's term. This effectively eliminates any gift tax liability, making it a popular choice for granters wanting to transfer assets with minimal tax consequences. 3. Rolling GREAT: Also known as a "cascading GREAT," this strategy involves establishing a series of sequential Grants. Each trust period starts immediately after the previous trust ends, allowing the granter to transfer assets to beneficiaries over an extended period while potentially extending the tax benefits. 4. Charitable GREAT: This type of GREAT is designed to benefit both the granter's beneficiaries and a charitable organization. The granter retains annuity payments for a specific term, after which the remaining trust assets are distributed to both beneficiaries and the chosen charity. By using a Colorado GREAT, individuals can effectively remove appreciating assets from their taxable estate while still receiving steady income. It is essential to consult with an experienced estate planning attorney and financial advisor to determine the most appropriate GREAT strategy based on individual circumstances and goals.