Property Tax Deferral Program-v2

Important changes to the program

Due to recent legislation, portions of the program administration will shift back to individual counties. County Treasurers will be responsible for disseminating, accepting, reviewing, and recording applications beginning in 2026, as well as assisting homeowners with the application process.

The program will continue to serve senior and active military homeowners; the Tax Growth deferral category has been eliminated by state law and is no longer available for new applicants.

The Colorado Department of the Treasury will reach out to current deferral participants in the coming months to make them aware of these changes and will continue to manage their loan accounts, payments, payoffs, and lien releases, in addition to loan disbursements to counties.

Counties must use official applications provided by the Colorado Department of the Treasury. An online application portal and accessible, printable PDF versions of the application will be made available later this year.

The Colorado Department of the Treasury will reach out to counties with more information on the transition in the fall of 2025. Please direct questions to cotreasproptax@state.co.us or call 303-866-5327.

About the Property Tax Deferral Program

How does the program work?

The deferral program does not exempt taxes; it is a loan to assist Coloradans with the payment of real property taxes if an application is submitted and the applicant is eligible. The application must be filed between January 1 and April 1. Prior year deferrals must be resubmitted for approval to continue deferral status along with any current year applications.

The State Treasurer's office makes the approved tax deferral amount payment directly to the county on behalf of the participant by April 30 of that year. If the payment made by the state results in an overpayment, a refund will be issued to the homeowner by the county treasurer and the state deferral payment will be applied.

The deferral loan is recorded as a junior lien against the participant's property and does not have to be repaid until the participant no longer qualifies to defer the approved amount. Interest shall accrue beginning May 1 of the calendar year in which the deferral is claimed, until the loan is paid in full. Deferral repayment is due 90 days after a non-qualifying event. If a loan for deferred taxes and accrued interest is not paid by the due date, such amounts are delinquent as of that date and the State Treasurer may foreclose for the deferred tax lien.

Am I eligible for the Senior Deferral Program?

To qualify for the Senior Deferral program the following requirements must be met:

• Taxpayer must be a person who is sixty-five years of age or older.
• The property must be owner occupied. 
  • The taxpayer claiming the deferral must, by themselves or jointly with another person, reside at the property.
  • The taxpayer must own the fee simple estate or be purchasing the fee simple estate under a recorded instrument of sale, or own the mobile home or be purchasing the mobile home under a recorded instrument of sale
  • Non-Residence Exception: An owner not residing at the property, is not residing at the property due to ill health.  This condition shall not prevent the taxpayer from meeting the requirements of eligibility;
• The property for which the deferral is claimed must not be income-producing.
• All previous property taxes must be paid in full.
• The total value of all liens or mortgages and deeds of trust must be less than or equal to 75% of the actual value of the property.
  • If not less than or equal to 75%, a completed subordination agreement in the form prescribed by the state will be required. However, the total value of liens of mortgages, deeds of trust and deferrals cannot exceed 100% of the actual value, otherwise the application shall be denied.
    • Your market value can be found on your current year tax bill or by visiting your County Assessor’s website.
      • List of County Assessor Contact Information and Websites
  • Please note: Having a reverse mortgage means a property is only eligible for future deferrals if a subordination agreement is submitted from the lender with the application.

The claim must be filed between January 1 and April 1. Taxpayers must reapply each year to continue to claim the deferral.

Am I eligible for the Active Military Deferral Program?

To qualify for the Active Military program the following requirements must be met:

• A person must be called into military service on January 1 of the year in which the person files a claim for deferral. 
• The property must be owner occupied by the taxpayer claiming the deferral.
• The taxpayer claiming the deferral must, by themselves or jointly with another person must reside at the property. They further must own the fee simple estate or be purchasing the fee simple estate under a recorded instrument of sale, or, own the mobile home or be purchasing the mobile home under a recorded instrument of sale.
• Non-Residence Exception: An owner not residing at the property, is not residing at the property due to ill health. This condition shall not prevent the taxpayer from meeting the requirements of eligibility. 
• The property for which the deferral is claimed must not be income-producing.
• All previous property taxes must be paid in full.
• The total value of all liens of mortgages and deeds of trust is less than or equal to 90% of the actual value of the property.
  • If not less than or equal to 90%, a completed subordination agreement in the form prescribed by the state will be required. 
  • However, the total value of liens of mortgages, deeds of trust and deferrals cannot exceed 100% of the actual value, otherwise the application shall be denied.
    • Your market value can be found on your current year tax bill or by visiting your County Assessor’s website.
      • List of County Assessor Contact Information and Websites
  • Please note: Having a reverse mortgage means a property is only eligible for future deferrals if a subordination agreement is submitted from the lender with the application.

The claim must be filed between January 1 and April 1. Taxpayers must reapply each year to continue to claim the deferral.