Colorado Property Tax Relief: Exemptions & How to File
Colorado has 4 main property tax relief programs, administered through your County Assessor (exemptions and classifications); County Treasurer (deferral program, in partnership with the Colorado Department of the Treasury). Filing is free.
Biggest benefit
50% of the first $200,000 of the actual value of the primary residence is exempt from taxation (the state reimburses the local taxing entities for the exempted amount).
Earliest common deadline
March 15
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Never pay to file a property tax exemption
Applying for a homestead, senior, veteran, or disability exemption is always free through your County Assessor (exemptions and classifications); County Treasurer (deferral program, in partnership with the Colorado Department of the Treasury). You do not need a middleman, and no one can file it "faster" for a fee.
Be skeptical of official-looking letters offering to file your homestead exemption, "designate" your homestead, or send you a copy of your deed for $50–$200. These are private solicitations, not government notices. When in doubt, contact your County Assessor (exemptions and classifications); County Treasurer (deferral program, in partnership with the Colorado Department of the Treasury) directly using the phone number on your tax bill.
Colorado property tax relief programs
Amounts, eligibility, deadlines, and the official source for each program.
| Program | Benefit | Who qualifies | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Property Tax Exemption (Senior Homestead Exemption)Senior (65+) | 50% of the first $200,000 of the actual value of the primary residence is exempt from taxation (the state reimburses the local taxing entities for the exempted amount). | Age 65+ · Applicant must be at least 65 years old as of the January 1 assessment date, be the owner of record, and have owned and occupied the property as their primary residence for the ten consecutive years preceding the assessment date. A surviving spouse of a senior who previously qualified for the same property may also qualify. | July 15 | Official source ↗Colo. Const. Art. X, Section 3.5; C.R.S. Section 39-3-203(1); application filing per C.R.S. Section 39-3-205Senior Property Tax Exemption Short Form (basic qualifiers) and Long Form (surviving spouses and applicants qualifying under an exception), form series 15-DPT-AR ↗ |
| Property Tax Exemption for Veterans with a Disability and Gold Star SpousesVeteran | 50% of the first $200,000 of the actual value of the primary residence is exempt from taxation (same structure as the senior exemption; state-reimbursed). | Veteran must have a service-connected disability rated 100% permanent and total by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (veterans rated at least 70% but compensated at the 100% rate due to Individual Unemployability/TDIU also qualify). Gold Star spouses qualify based on the service member's death in the line of duty or from a service-connected cause; remarriage does not disqualify. · Must be the owner-occupier of a Colorado primary residence occupied as of January 1 of the application year. | July 1 | Official source ↗Colo. Const. Art. X, Section 3.5 (as amended); C.R.S. Section 39-3-203(1.5) (disabled veteran) and Section 39-3-203(a.5) (surviving/Gold Star spouse)Property Tax Exemption Application for Qualifying Disabled Veterans; and separate application for Gold Star Spouses (DOLA Division of Property Taxation) ↗ |
| Qualified Senior Primary Residence ClassificationSenior (65+) | 50% of the first $200,000 of the actual value of the primary residence is exempt (equivalent benefit to the senior homestead exemption). | Age 65+ · Applicant must be an owner-occupier of the current primary residence, must have previously qualified for and received the Senior Property Tax Exemption on a different Colorado residence as of January 1, 2020 or later, and must not qualify for the standard senior homestead exemption on the current property for the current year. | March 15 | Official source ↗C.R.S. Section 39-1-104.7 (qualified-senior primary residence real property classification); benefit per C.R.S. Section 39-3-203Qualified Senior Primary Residence Classification Application (DOLA Division of Property Taxation / county assessor) ↗ |
| Property Tax Deferral Program (Senior and Active Military)Tax Deferral | Deferral (postponement) of property tax payment via a simple-interest state loan recorded as a junior lien against the property; the loan is repaid when a disqualifying event occurs (e.g., death, sale, transfer, or the owner ceasing to occupy the home). Interest accrues from May 1 at a rate set annually (4.238% for the May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027 period). | Age 65+ · Property must be the taxpayer's homestead (primary residence). Seniors must be 65 or older; active-military applicants must be called into military service as of January 1 of the application year. All prior-year property taxes must be paid and there may be no delinquent tax liens against the property. | April 1 | Official source ↗C.R.S. Article 3.5 of Title 39 (Sections 39-3.5-101 through 39-3.5-120), Tax Deferral for the Elderly and Military Personnel; property entitled to deferral per C.R.S. Section 39-3.5-103Colorado Property Tax Deferral Program application (Colorado Department of the Treasury / county treasurer) ↗ |
For veterans
In most states a higher VA disability rating unlocks a larger — often total — property tax exemption.
Trusted Resources
Trusted tools to help you claim what you've earned
VA Claims Academy
A 100% VA disability rating unlocks full property tax exemptions in most states. VA Claims Academy helps veterans pursue the rating increases they may be owed.
Visit VA Claims Academy →*
* Affiliate disclosure: GovSifter may earn a commission from links above. This does not affect program listings or editorial content.
For seniors
Planning ahead protects your exemption and your home.
Trusted Resources
Trusted tools to help you claim what you've earned
CareSifter — Find trusted senior care
Property tax relief is one piece of aging in place affordably. CareSifter helps families compare in-home care, assisted living, and senior services.
Explore CareSifter →*Trust & Will — Estate planning made simple
Keeping a homestead exemption in the family often depends on how the home is titled. Trust & Will makes wills, trusts, and transfer-on-death deeds affordable and online.
Start with Trust & Will →*
* Affiliate disclosure: GovSifter may earn a commission from links above. This does not affect program listings or editorial content.
Colorado property tax relief FAQ
What property tax exemptions are available in Colorado?
Colorado offers 4 main property tax relief programs: Senior Property Tax Exemption (Senior Homestead Exemption), Property Tax Exemption for Veterans with a Disability and Gold Star Spouses, Qualified Senior Primary Residence Classification, Property Tax Deferral Program (Senior and Active Military). Each is administered through your County Assessor (exemptions and classifications); County Treasurer (deferral program, in partnership with the Colorado Department of the Treasury).
How do I apply for a property tax exemption in Colorado?
You apply through your County Assessor (exemptions and classifications); County Treasurer (deferral program, in partnership with the Colorado Department of the Treasury) — for free. Most exemptions require a one-time application by the deadline; check each program for its form and cutoff date. You never need to pay a third party to file.
Is filing for a Colorado property tax exemption free?
Yes. Filing is always free through your County Assessor (exemptions and classifications); County Treasurer (deferral program, in partnership with the Colorado Department of the Treasury). Letters offering to file your homestead exemption for a fee are private solicitations, not government notices.
Compare Colorado to other states by relief type
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