A property tax exemption is available for senior Colorado residents or surviving spouses, provided they meet the requirements. You must apply by July 15 of the year in which you seek an exemption. Applications postmarked by July 15 are valid, but you have to wait for January 2 of the following year if you miss this cut-off. Additionally, exemptions are only considered for the year in which you apply, not for previous years. The next available timeframe to apply is January 2, 2024 through July 15, 2024.
If you have been approved for the exemption in a prior year, you don’t need to apply again. But you must report any changes in property ownership or occupancy within 60 days of the change.
To be eligible, you must:
- Be aged 65 or older before January 1 of the year you apply
- Have owned and lived in your home (as your primary residence) for at least ten consecutive years
- If you have questions, please phone #720-913-4162 or email Assessor@denvergov.org.
Apply for Yourself
You can apply for a Senior Property Tax Exemption before July 15 of the year you apply. After this date, we will not accept applications until January 2 of the following year. The Senior Exemption deadline has passed for 2023 for taxes payable in 2024. We will be accepting applications again from January 2, 2024 to July 15, 2024.
If you have been approved in previous years, you do not need to apply again, but you must notify us of property ownership or occupancy changes.
Step 1: Read the Instructions
You can find more information about the Senior Property Tax Exemption and how to use the short form by reading the Short Form Instructions(PDF, 513KB).
Step 2: Fill out the application
If you meet the criteria for using the short form, download, print, and complete a Short Form Application to apply for the exemption here from January 2, 2024 through July 15, 2024. Short Form(PDF, 493KB).
Step 3: Mail or deliver the application
Send or bring the completed application from January 2, 2024 to July 15, 2024 to:
City & County of Denver
Assessment Division
201 W Colfax Ave. Dept 406
Denver, CO 80202
Surviving Spouses or Exempt Individuals
You can apply for the Senior Property Exemption Tax if you are the surviving spouse of a senior who would have qualified or if you believe you meet one of the exceptions to occupancy and ownership requirements. These exceptions are:
- Ownership of the property was transferred to or purchased by a trust, corporate partnership, or other entity for estate planning purposes.
- The eligible senior, spouse, or surviving spouse is confined to a nursing home, hospital, or assisted living facility.
- The prior residence was condemned in an eminent domain proceeding by a governmental entity.
- The prior residence was destroyed or otherwise rendered uninhabitable by a natural disaster.
If applying as a surviving spouse or with an exception, you will need to use the Long Form. You need to apply for a Senior Property Tax Exemption before July 15 of the year you apply. After this date, we will not accept applications until January 2 of the following year. We will be accepting applications from January 2, 2024 until July 15, 2024.
If you have been approved in previous years, you do not need to apply again, but you must notify us of property ownership or occupancy changes.
Step 1: Read the Instructions
You can find more information about the Senior Property Tax Exemption for surviving spouses and other exemptions in the Long Form Instructions(PDF, 360KB)
Step 2: Fill out the application
If you meet the criteria for using the Long Form, form, download, print, and complete a Long Form Application to apply for the exemption in the application available here from January 2, 2024 through July 15, 2024. Long Form(PDF, 546KB).
Step 3: Mail, fax, or deliver the application
Send or bring the completed application from January 2, 2024 to July 15, 2024 to:
City & County of Denver
Assessment Division
201 W Colfax Ave. Dept 406
Denver, CO 80202
Fax: (720) 913-4101
