Show All Answers

1. Are there any programs to help senior citizens with their tax burden?

Yes, a tax deferral program is available to senior citizens whereby the state of Colorado pays the taxes on your residence and holds a lien on your property until it is sold or changes are made to your qualifications. The annual percentage rate is set by state statute. A qualified individual must be 65 or older on January 1 of the year claimed. Call us for more information at 303-271-8330.

2. How to apply for a property tax deferral?

Contact the Treasurer's office by phone 303-271-8330 or submit this contact form to request an application. Applications for deferral must be submitted to the Treasurer's office between January 1 and April 1 each year.

3. What are the eligibility requirements?

You must meet all the following requirements to qualify for property tax deferral:

• You must be 65 or older on January 1 of the year claimed.
• You must not be earning any income, such as rent, from your property.
• You must own and occupy your residence.
• All property taxes for previous years must have been paid, either by you or the state though its deferral program.
• If your home is subject to a mortgage less than five years old, you must obtain a subordination agreement from the lender. This means the mortgage holder agrees that the state's interest in the property would legally come before the mortgage holder’s interest in the property.

Call us for more information at 303-271-8330.

4. What happens after applying?

If approved, the county treasurer will issue a Certificate of Deferral, record it and send the certificate to the state treasurer. The state treasurer will charge you interest on the amount deferred beginning May 1 of the year in which the deferral is claimed. The interest is compounded annually. The deferred taxes may be paid at any time without affecting your deferral eligibility. If your property taxes are normally paid as part of your mortgage payment, you should present your deferral certificate to the mortgagor for a refund of the property tax monies held in escrow.

When deferring your property taxes, the state makes the payments to local governments. Your county treasurer submits your claim form to the state treasurer, who pays the county; therefore, you are borrowing the payments from Colorado until you can repay the state. Call us for more information at 303-271-8330.

5. What is the senior property tax exemption?

Get more information about the senior property tax exemption on the assessor’s webpage.

6. When are deferred taxes plus interest due?

When the claimant dies, the deferred taxes plus interest are due within one year. For all other reasons, the money is due within 90 days. Property may be given to the state of Colorado in lieu of payment. If the taxes are not paid, the state will foreclose on the property. Call us for more information at 303-271-8330.

7. When must deferred taxes be paid?

When:

• The claimant dies (unless the surviving spouse is 60 or older and meets all other requirements and elects to continue the deferral)
• The property is sold or the title is transferred to another person
• The claimant begins to rent the property or otherwise receives income from it

Call us for more information at 303-271-8330.

8. Who qualifies for a deferral?

Colorado residents 65 or older may defer or postpone property tax payment on their residence. Call us for more information at 303-271-8330.