Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption

The Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption is a statewide benefit administered by your county. It exempts 50% of the first $200,000 of the actual market value of your owner-occupied primary residence. In practice, that is a $100,000 value exclusion from taxation. The state reimburses the county for the lost revenue.

Who qualifies in 2025

• Honorably discharged veterans with a VA rating of 100% Permanent and Total
• Veterans with Total Disability Individual Unemployability, also known as TDIU. TDIU eligibility was added by Amendment G and applies beginning with the 2025 tax year.

Ownership and occupancy rules

• You must own and occupy the home as your primary residence since January 1 of the application year
• Limited exceptions exist for ownership via trust, LLC, or life estate, and for veterans temporarily confined to a hospital or assisted living
• Only one property can receive the exemption
• Residential classification only. For a multi-unit property, the exemption applies only to the unit you occupy
• You cannot combine this with the Senior Exemption on the same property in the same year

Deadline

File with your county assessor by July 1 each year. For 2025, late filings were allowed until August 1 without appeal rights. Future year timelines may differ, so always check the current bulletin before you apply.

Surviving Spouse Exemptions

A) Surviving spouse of a qualified disabled veteran

If your spouse had already been granted the Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption before passing, you may continue the same exemption if you have not remarried and still own and occupy the home as your primary residence. Deadline is July 1 each year.

B) Gold Star spouses

Colorado voters approved Amendment E, which extended the homestead exemption to Gold Star spouses. The benefit exempts 50% of the first $200,000 of actual value on an owner-occupied primary residence. Deadline is July 1 each year. Learn more background from the neutral measure summary on
Ballotpedia.

No General Exemption For Active-Duty Service Members

Colorado does not offer a blanket property tax exemption for active-duty service members. Some households may still find relief through the state property tax deferral program.

Property tax deferral

• Available to qualified seniors and to military service members called into active duty
• Defers payment of property taxes on the primary residence as a state-backed loan with interest
• Repayment typically occurs when you sell or transfer the property, or upon other repayment triggers
• Typical application window is January 1 to April 1

For current program details, see the Colorado State Treasurer information page:
Colorado Property Tax Deferral Program.

Broadened deferral since 2023

There is also a broadened option that lets any homeowner defer the portion of taxes above a two-year average plus a 4% growth cap, even if they do not qualify under the senior or military pathway.

How Much Do You Actually Save

The exemption removes $100,000 of actual value from taxation. Your savings depend on your local mill levy and the current residential assessment rate.

How To Apply In El Paso County

1. Confirm eligibility. You must have a VA rating of 100% P&T or TDIU and be honorably discharged. You must own and occupy the home since January 1 of the application year.
2. Gather documentation. Obtain your VA Summary of Benefits letter that shows rating or TDIU. Have proof of ownership and occupancy if requested.
3. File the correct 2025 application with the El Paso County Assessor by July 1.
   • Veteran with a Disability application and instructions
   • Surviving Spouse of a qualifying disabled veteran application
   • Gold Star Spouse instructions and application
4. Missed the deadline. For 2025, late filings were accepted without appeal rights until August 1. Timelines reset each year. Check the current DPT bulletin or call the assessor for the latest dates.

El Paso County Assessor provides program overviews, forms and filing instructions for 2025.

Quick Checklist For Colorado Springs Homeowners

• VA rating 100% P&T or TDIU with letter in hand
• You own and occupy your primary residence since January 1
• File with the El Paso County Assessor by July 1
• Survivors use the correct surviving spouse or Gold Star form
• Active-duty and others consider deferral if eligible. Remember it is a loan, not an exemption

Common Misconceptions

• TDIU does not count. Outdated. TDIU qualifies beginning in 2025 due to Amendment G.
• The exemption applies to rentals. No. It applies only to your owner-occupied primary residence.
• You can stack this with the Senior Exemption. No. You must choose one per property per year.
• Active-duty get an automatic exemption. No. Consider the deferral program instead if you qualify.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where to find more information

• Colorado Division of Property Taxation
• El Paso County Assessor
• Colorado State Treasurer Property Tax Deferral Program
• Ballotpedia overview of Amendment E