GILPIN COUNTY OFFICE OF THE ASSESSOR  Anne Schafer, Assessor   
Phone:  303-582-5451    Fax:  303-565-1798
Email: aschafer@co.gilpin.co.us
203 Eureka Street    P.O. Box 338
Central City, CO  80427

Colorado Senior Property Tax Exemption
In 2000, voters amended the Colorado Constitution with the adoption of Section 3.5 of Article X. The amendment, and subsequent legislation, created a property tax exemption for two groups of people: a) qualifying seniors and b) the surviving spouses of seniors who previously qualified.

There are three basic requirements:

1) the qualifying senior must be at least 65 years old on January 1 of the year in which he/she qualifies;

2) the qualifying senior must be the owner of record, and must have been the owner of record for at least ten consecutive years prior to January 1;

3) the qualifying senior must occupy the property as his/her primary residence, and must have done so for at least ten consecutive years prior to January 1.

For those who qualify, 50 percent of the first $200,000 of actual value of the property is exempted. The state will pay the exempted property tax. If you own multiple residences, only one can be designated as your primary residence.

Two application forms have been created for the exemption. The "Short Form" is intended for qualifying seniors that meet each of the requirements stated above. The "Long Form" must be used by individuals applying under the surviving spouse option and for applicants applying as the qualifying senior who fall within certain exceptions to the occupancy and ownership requirements.