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Exemptions/Rebates For Seniors & Veterans
A property tax exemption is available to senior citizens, qualifying veterans with a disability, the surviving spouses of Gold Star Veterans and the surviving spouses of senior citizens or veterans with a disability who were previously granted the exemption. 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 need not reapply. The General Assembly may eliminate the funding for the Senior Citizen Exemption or Veteran with a Disability Exemption at their discretion in any year that the budget does not allow for the reimbursement. Application requirements are as follows:
SENIOR CITIZEN 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 consecutive years as of January 1, and c) occupy it as their primary residence and have done so for at least 10 consecutive years as of January 1. Limited exceptions to the ownership and occupancy requirements are detailed in the qualifications section of the application. The exemption is also available to surviving spouses of senior citizens who previously met the requirements. The application deadline is July 15.
- (opens in new window)Senior Citizen Short Form Instructions(opens in new window)
- Senior Citizen Short Form Application
- Senior Citizen Long Form Instructions(opens in new window)
- Senior Citizen Long Form Application
QUALIFIED SENIOR PRIMARY RESIDENTIAL CLASSIFICATION
A qualified senior primary residential property tax classification is available for tax years 2025 and 2026. This allows property owners who moved between 2020 through 2025 and lost their senior exemption, to have it temporarily reinstated for their new primary residence, if they meet certain requirements. The application deadline is March 15.
- Qualified Senior Primary Residence Classification Instructions(opens in new window)
- Qualified Senior Primary Residence Classification Application(opens in new window)
VETERAN WITH A DISABILITY 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 disability through disability retirement benefits. Starting in tax year 2025, applicants who do not have a 100% disability rating but have been awarded individual unemployability status as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs are also eligible for the program. In addition to the disability or unemployability qualification, 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.
- Veteran with a Disability Application Instructions(opens in new window)
- Veteran with a Disability Application
VETERAN WITH A DISABILITY SURVIVING SPOUSE EXEMPTION
The exemption is available to surviving spouses of veterans with a disability who had the veteran with a disability exemption and who passed away prior to January 1 of the current year. The property must be owner occupied and used as the primary residence of an owner-occupier who is the surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran with a disability. The application deadline is July 1.
- Veteran with a Disability Surviving Spouse Instructions(opens in new window)
- Veteran with a Disability Surviving Spouse Application
GOLD STAR SPOUSES
This exemption is available to surviving spouses of Gold Star Veterans. The property must be owner occupied as of January 1 in the year of the application and used as the primary residence of an owner-occupier who is the surviving spouse of a qualifying Gold Star Veteran. The application deadline is July 1.
- Gold Star Spouse Form Instructions(opens in new window)
- Gold Star Spouse Form Application
PROPERTY TAX DEFERRAL PROGRAM
This program helps seniors ages 65 and up and active military service members continue to afford to live in their homes by deferring the payment of their property taxes with a simple interest loan. For more information about this program please visit the Colorado Department of the Treasury website.
PROPERTY TAX/RENT/HEAT REBATE
Full-year Colorado residents who are 65 years of age or older, surviving spouses who are 58 years of age or older, or persons with disabilities may qualify for the Property Tax/Rent/Heat Rebate.
The Property Tax/Rent/Heat Rebate program is administered by the Department of Revenue at 303-238 SERV (7378). The qualifications, application form (Form 104PTC) and instructions for completing the application are available online at https://tax.colorado.gov/PTC-rebate. Applications are also available at Colorado Service Center Locations.
Please see https://tax.colorado.gov/visit-a-service-center for service center hours and additional information.
Exemptions for Religious, Charitable, School, and Fraternal/Veteran Organizations
The Exemptions Section of the Colorado Division of Property Taxation is responsible for determining qualification for exemption from property taxation for properties that are owned and used for religious, charitable, and private school purposes. For more information and applications, please visit the Colorado Department of Property Taxation Exemptions page.
- Who sets the tax rate or mill levy?
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Tax rates (mill levies) are determined by each taxing authority (County, Cities and Towns, School Districts, Fire Departments, Water and Sanitation Districts, and others) in the fall of each year. These authorities provide services to you and are listed on your annual tax notice.
Amendment I, the Tabor Amendment, was approved by the voters in 1992 and restricts the ability of taxing authorities to raise tax rates or revenue without voter approval. Some tax authorities have chosen to provide temporary tax credits, which allow the tax districts to maintain its official mill levy and not exceed revenue limits.
Additional revenue limitations for certain taxing authorities and school districts were enacted in 2025 through SB24-233 and HB24B-1001.
- I thought the “Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) Amendment” said that taxes could not go up, yet my valuation has increased. How can that be?
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The TABOR Amendment restricts the total amount of revenue growth an individual taxing entity (a cemetery district, for example) is allowed each year. This is computed by each entity utilizing a formula that takes into account inflation, new construction in the taxing entity’s boundaries, and other factors. The Amendment does not restrict the amount that an individual’s taxes may change, nor does it place a specific percentage limitation on any individual’s tax change. The Amendment does state that mill levies cannot be raised by a taxing entity without an election, except for very special circumstances. It also specifies that improved residential property must be valued using the market approach to value only.
- Why do Assessment Rates Vary so Much Based on How a Property is Classified?
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The differences in assessment rates between residential homes and other types of property began as a result of an amendment to the Colorado Constitution (known as the Gallagher Amendment) approved by the voters in 1982, which limited the residential share of the property taxes. Historically, the State Legislature adjusted the residential assessment rate each year to meet Gallagher statutory requirements. However, In 2020, Amendment B to the Colorado Constitution repealed the part of Gallagher that dictated how assessment rates were set. The rates continue to be set by the legislature annually, but under different rules. Rates cannot be increased without a vote of the people, but they can be decreased.
Senate Bill 24-233 made a significant change to the residential assessment rate beginning in 2025. In prior years, there was only one residential assessment rate used to determine the "taxable value" of a residential property. Now, two different assessment rates are applied; one for the school district and one for all other taxing entities. Under this bill, the school assessment rate will be maintained at a higher percentage than the all other local government rate.