Senior Property Tax Exemption
Requirements for a Qualifying Senior Citizen
- The applicant is at least 65 years old on January 1 of the year in which they apply.
- The applicant or their spouse is the property owner of record and has owned the property for at least 10 consecutive years prior to January 1.
- The applicant occupies the property as their primary residence, and has done so for at least 10 consecutive years prior to January 1.
- Or, the applicant is a surviving spouse of a senior citizen who previously qualified and has not remarried (they may be eligible to apply using the long form application).
When to Apply
Each year’s application period begins on January 1 and ends July 15.
Applications that are returned to the county assessor’s office by the timely deadline receive full appeal rights if the application is denied.
Applications that are returned between the timely deadline (July 15) and the late deadline (August 15) will not receive appeal rights if the application is denied by the county assessor.
If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, applications that are delivered or postmarked by the next working day will be considered to be filed by the deadline.
Per C.R.S. § 39-1-120 (3) If the date for filing any report, schedule, claim, tax return, statement, remittance, or other document falls upon a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, it shall be deemed to have been timely filed if filed on the next business day.
Form to Complete
For senior citizens, there are two forms. The Short Form is the most commonly used form. It is intended for applicants who do not have any legally allowed exceptions to their ownership and occupancy.
The Long Form for senior citizens is intended for applicants that have a legally allowed exception to their ownership or occupancy or for Surviving Spouse applications.
- Senior Citizen Long Form Instructions
- Senior Citizen Long Form Application
- Senior Citizen Short Form Instructions
- Senior Citizen Short Form Application
Where to File the Application
Applications for these exemption programs must be submitted to the county assessor in the county where the property is located.
Common Questions About Eligibility and Applications
If you still have some unanswered questions about Colorado’s senior, veteran with a disability, Gold Star spouse, and senior primary residence classification programs, please check out the Frequently Asked Questions page. There, you’ll find clear explanations about eligibility requirements, application forms, deadlines, and what to expect after you apply.