Frequently Asked Questions
Applications for these exemption programs must be submitted to the county assessor in the county where the property is located. Sending the application to another agency may result in delays or the possibility that your application is not received by the deadlines for the program.
In order to check the status of your application, please contact the county assessor's office in the county where your property is located.
You can find that number either on your county assessor’s website that contains property record information, on tax notifications and bills sent to you by county officials or by contacting your county assessor’s office by phone or in person.
Yes, only the applicant must meet the age requirement.
Once an applicant is eligible and their application is approved by their assessor office, the exemption will be applied for that year's property taxes that arrive the following year.
In Colorado, property taxes are paid a year in arrears.
For example, during the calendar year 2026 property owners are paying their 2025 property tax.
If you apply for and are approved for a tax exemption during the 2026 tax year, then you would receive the reduction in your taxes in early 2027 when you receive your 2026 property tax bill from the county treasurer’s office.
No, an applicant is not required to reapply annually for the program. However, if there are changes to your ownership, occupancy, primary residency or changes to who resides at your home as a primary resident, you must reapply with an updated application to your county assessor’s office within 60 days of the change.
If the trust or LLC is for estate planning purposes, then you may still be eligible for this program. For senior citizens, If your home is owned via an estate planning trust or LLC then you must use the “Long Form Application for Seniors.” For Veterans, ensure that you fill the correct fields on your application that request the details of the estate planning trust or LLC.
You may still be eligible depending on the reason your ownership or occupancy has been disrupted. For exemption recipients who were forced to move due to:
- Their previous primary residence where they received the exemption was seized through an eminent domain proceeding.
- Their previous primary residence was destroyed due to a natural disaster
- The owner-occupier is confined to a hospital, nursing home, or assisted living facility and would return to the home if or when possible. Additionally while the exemption recipient is confined to one of the above listed health care facilities, the home is only occupied by a spouse or a financial dependant or remains unoccupied.
No, these programs only offer survivor benefits to the surviving spouse of a deceased recipient.
Depending on your circumstance, you may be able to continue receiving the exemption. In order to receive the exemption as a qualifying surviving spouse, you must reapply with the correct form to their county assessor’s office.
Disability ratings are awarded by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. You can attain an award letter to attach to your application at their website.
Please be aware that your county assessor, the Division or Property Taxation, or other state and county agencies cannot grant, change or advocate for a veteran regarding disability benefits awards. This process must be completed through the federal Veteran’s Affairs Department.
If something changes concerning the ownership, occupancy, the primary residents who live at the home, etc., then you must reapply to your county assessor with a new application containing any updated information within 60 days. They will determine if you still meet the requirements for the program.
No, the laws that govern this program only allow a person or a married couple to have one exemption in total. Attempts to apply for multiple exemptions will result in the loss of all exemptions allowed under this program for that year. This includes, applying for both a senior citizen exemption and a veteran exemption as well as applying for the same type of exemption on multiple properties. Additionally, when an applicant files an application for an exemption, they are required to sign an attestation that all information (including their primary residence status) is true and that intentionally providing false information can be treated as perjury..
No, under 39-3-203(1)(b) C.R.S applicants may not receive an exemption for years before they were eligible or before they applied to the program after they reached eligibility.
For further questions, please contact either your county assessor’s office or you can contact the Division of Property Taxation at dola_dpt_senior-veteran@state.co.us.
Programs through other state and county agencies.
There are other property tax relief programs available to Colorado taxpayers. However, please keep in mind that the programs listed below are not administered by the Division of Property Taxation. For applications, further questions, etc. for the following programs, please contact the agency listed in each description.
Property Tax/Rent/Heat Rebate
This program is available for eligible 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).
Full eligibility qualifications, application forms and instructions for completing the application are available online.
For further questions, please contact the Colorado Department of Revenue.
Property Tax Deferral
Colorado residents who are 65 years of age or older and persons called into active military service may defer the payment of property taxes on their residences. Applications are available from and should be submitted to the county treasurer in the county where the property is located between January 1 and April 1. Application must be made annually to obtain a current deferral. For more information, please contact your county treasurer.
Property Tax Work-Off Program
Any taxing entity that levies and collects taxes may establish a property tax work-off program for Colorado citizens who are 60 years of age or older, is a first responder with a permanent occupational disability, or who is otherwise a person with a disability. The property on which the taxes are due must be the taxpayer’s primary residence.
Taxing authorities that participate in the work-off program must provide program information to all taxpayers living within their boundaries. Contact information for each taxing authority is available from the county treasurer.