Tax Exemptions and Incentives

There are several types of property tax exemptions and incentives available to those who qualify.

A property tax exemption is available to senior citizens, surviving spouses of senior citizens, disabled veterans and to qualifying Religious, charitable and private schools. For those who qualify, 50% of the first $200,000 in actual value of their primary residence is exempted. The state pays the exempted portion of the property tax. Application requirements are as follows:

Senior Citizen Exemption

The exemption is available to applicants who:

a) Are at least 65 years of age as of January 1 of the year of application

b) Owned their home for at least 10 years as of January 1 of the year of application

c) Occupied said home as their primary residence for at least 10 years as of January 1 of the year of application.

Limited exceptions to the ownership and occupancy requirements are detailed in the qualifications section of the application. A surviving spouse of a senior who qualified for the exemption may also apply. If you have previously applied and been approved, you don’t need to apply again. The application deadline for each tax year is July 15. The application form is available from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs website under Property Taxation, Forms, Senior Exemption Forms and should be submitted to the Archuleta County Assessor at 449 San Juan St, or PO Box 1089, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147.

Disabled Veterans Exemption

The exemption is available to applicants who:

a) Sustained a service connected disability while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States

b) Were honorably discharged and were rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as one hundred percent “permanent and total” disabled

c) Owned and occupied the home as his or her primary residence as of January 1 of the year of application.

VA un-employability awards do not meet the requirement for determining an applicant’s eligibility. Limited exceptions to the ownership and occupancy requirements are detailed in the eligibility requirements of the application. The application deadline for each tax  year is July 1.

Application forms are available from the Division of Veterans Affairs at the address and telephone number shown below and are also available at the Colorado Department of Local Affairs website under Property Taxation, Forms, Disabled Veterans Exemption Application. Completed applications should be submitted to the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs at the following address:

Colorado Division of Military and Veterans Affairs

Religious, Charitable and Private School Exemptions

There are also property tax exemptions available for for properties that are owned and used for religious, charitable, and private school purposes. Currently exempt property owners are required to file annual reports with the DPT in order to continue exemption. The section provides assistance to counties and taxpayers with inquiries about exempt properties, conducts hearings on denied exemption applications and revocations of exemption, and defends appeals of such denials and revocations. 

Contact DOLA (Department of Local Affairs) for details.

County Residential Property Tax Incentive Policy

In March, 2022, the Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution 2022-17 which revised the parameters for issuing tax incentives on construction of residential affordable housing units. Property owner who plan to build a residence or plan to purchase an already built residence may qualify for a waiver of their county property taxes, as fully described in the resolution.