How Do Colorado Property Taxes Work and What Exemptions Exist for Seniors and Veterans? (2026 Guide)
By Jeff and Lane Morrell · October 2026
The Morrell Group | eXp Realty
Colorado taxes property at the county level based on assessed value and local mill levies, and bills arrive through the county treasurer. For qualifying owners, the Senior Property Tax Exemption exempts up to 50% of the first $200,000 of a primary residence's market value, and a parallel exemption exists for qualifying disabled veterans. Both are funded for 2026, neither is automatic, and both have deadlines through the El Paso County Assessor's Office.
How the exemption math works
The exemption removes value from the tax calculation: up to 50% of the first $200,000 of market value, which caps at $100,000 of taxable value removed for most homes above $200,000. If your primary residence is worth $200,000, the first $100,000 is exempt (our August 2026 property tax post).
Who qualifies
Seniors 65 and older who have owned and occupied the home as a primary residence for at least 10 consecutive years; disabled veterans under Referendum E carry the same benefit with different rules and no 10-year residency requirement. Surviving spouses may qualify in specific situations, including Gold Star spouses of qualifying veterans.
The deferral program
A separate program lets seniors 65 and older and active military service members defer property tax payments through a simple-interest loan with the county treasurer. It is a deferral, not an exemption, and it is worth understanding for cash-flow reasons.
The practical step
Applications run through the El Paso County Assessor's Office with hard deadlines that are easy to miss. If you already applied and were approved in a prior year, your application stays active and you do not need to reapply.
Property tax relief is not automatic; we have watched neighbors miss the deadline and pay full freight for a year. If you are 65 or older, or a disabled veteran, call the Assessor's Office this month. It is a short call that can save real money every year you own your home.
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