PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
AND DISABLED VETERANS
A property tax exemption is available to senior citizens, surviving spouses of senior citizens, and disabled veterans. For those who qualify, 50 percent of the first $200,000 in actual value of their primary residence is exempted. The state pays the exempted portion of the property tax.
Once approved, the exemption remains in effect for future years, and the applicant should not reapply.
NOTE: Senate Bill 10-190, as introduced on April 8, 2010, eliminates funding for the senior citizen property tax exemption for taxes due in 2011 and 2012 (tax years 2010 and 2011). Regardless of whether it passes, your county assessor will continue to process new applications. The bill as introduced does not affect the disabled veteran exemption.
Application requirements are as follows:
SENIOR EXEMPTION
The exemption is available to applicants who: a) are at least 65 years of age as of January 1 of the year of application, b) owned their home for at least 10 years as of January 1, and c) occupied it as their primary residence for at least 10 years as of January 1. Limited exceptions to the ownership and occupancy requirements are detailed in the qualifications section of the application. The senior citizen exemption is also available to surviving spouses of senior citizens who met the requirements on any January 1 after 2001. The application deadline is July 15. The application form is available from and must be submitted to the county Assessor at the following address:
DISABLED VETERAN EXEMPTION
The exemption is available to applicants who: a) sustained a service-connected disability while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, b) were honorably discharged, and c) were rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as one hundred percent “permanent and total” disabled. VA unemployability awards do not meet the requirement for determining an applicant’s eligibility. The applicant must have owned and occupied the home as his or her primary residence since January 1 of the year of application; however, limited exceptions to the ownership and occupancy requirements are detailed in the eligibility requirements section of the application. The application deadline is July 1. Application forms are available from the Division of Veterans Affairs at the address and telephone number shown below and from the website of the
Colorado Division of Property Taxation. Completed applications must be submitted to the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs at the following address: