1. Property Tax — Primary Residence
Authority: Colo. Const. Art. X § 3.5; C.R.S. § 39-3-203; Amendment G / HCR23-1002 (2024)
Complete reference covering 58 benefit categories across 14 service tiers. Verify current eligibility with your County VSO before filing.
Standout Program
Amendment G adds TDIU (2025); National Guard 100% tuition waiver (SB25-247); Independence Pass at 50%+; lifetime hunt/fish combo at 50%+
| Status / Rating | Headline Benefits Unlocked |
|---|---|
| Active Duty | State income tax exempt on military pay (if stationed outside CO or non-resident); vehicle ownership tax exempt (non-resident); DL extension 3 yrs (free); resident hunting/fishing rates; August state park free access; deployed hunting-draw preference points; CDL skills-test waiver (Vets-2-Trucks within 1 yr of discharge) |
| Guard / Reserve | CO National Guard: 100% tuition waiver (SB25-247) at designated CO colleges/universities (up to 130 hrs at 4-yr; 65 hrs at 2-yr); State-Sponsored Life Insurance $1,000 free (+ elective $5k–$50k); LEAP heating assistance (income-based); veterans preference for state jobs |
| Military Retiree | Military retirement pay subtraction: $15,000 (under 55, tax years 2022–2028) · $20,000 (55–64) · $24,000 (65+); DV plate / vehicle fee waiver at 50%+ SC; Independence Pass at 50%+ SC |
| Veteran (honorable, no rating) | Veterans preference for state employment (+5 pts); specialty vet plates ($50 one-time); August state park free access; CHP training credit for military service; CDL skills-test waiver within 1 yr of discharge |
| 0% SC | Same as honorable veteran; no additional state benefit tied specifically to 0% SC rating |
| 10–20% | Same as honorable veteran |
| 30–40% | Same as honorable veteran |
| 50–60% | DV plate + vehicle ownership tax/registration waiver (1 vehicle); Independence Pass (free year-round parks); free lifetime combo fishing + small game license; hiring preference 10 pts (SC vets) |
| 70–90% | Same as 50–60% tier; hiring preference 10 pts |
| 100% schedular | Same as 50–60%+ tier; property tax exemption requires 100% permanent designation — schedular without permanent designation does NOT qualify |
| TDIU | Property tax exemption 50% of first $200,000 (Amendment G, effective 2025 tax yr); all 50%+ benefits; hiring preference 10 pts |
| P&T | Property tax exemption 50% of first $200,000; all 50%+ vehicle/parks/recreation benefits; hiring preference 10 pts |
| SMC (Housebound/A&A) | All P&T benefits plus federal SMC payments are state income-tax-free |
| Surviving spouse / dependents | Property tax exemption continuation (if vet had it); Gold Star spouse property tax exemption (50% of first $200,000); DIC income state-tax-free; DTAP tuition assistance for dependents of KIA/disabled Guard members; state park free access continuation with DV plates |
Authority: Colo. Const. Art. X § 3.5; C.R.S. § 39-3-203; Amendment G / HCR23-1002 (2024)
Authority: C.R.S. § 42-3-304(18); HB20-1190
Colorado does not exempt disabled veterans from state or local sales tax at the point of vehicle purchase. The specific ownership tax waiver (§2) is an annual registration-time benefit, not a purchase-time sales tax exemption. One exception: vehicles modified with medically necessary adaptive equipment for a service-connected disability are exempt from state sales tax on the adaptive equipment and installation (not the vehicle itself). Confirm current eligible equipment categories and documentation requirements with the Colorado Department of Revenue at tax.colorado.gov or 303-238-7378.
Authority: SCRA; C.R.S. § 39-22-104; Colorado DOR Publication
Authority: C.R.S. § 39-22-104(4)(f); HB18-1060; SB23-106
Authority: C.R.S. § 39-22-104 (pension/annuity subtraction); SB23-106
Authority: C.R.S. § 39-22-104
Colorado does not offer a general sales tax exemption card or program for disabled veterans on general purchases. No Colorado equivalent to programs such as Iowa's or Kansas's sales tax exemption for disabled veterans exists as of 2026.
Authority: C.R.S. § 39-3-119 (deferral); C.R.S. § 39-3-203 (senior homestead)
Authority: C.R.S. § 42-3-304(18); HB20-1190
Authority: C.R.S. § 42-3-213; C.R.S. § 42-3-222
Authority: C.R.S. § 42-3-213 et seq.
Colorado does not currently provide a toll exemption for veterans or disabled veterans on E-470, the Northwest Parkway, or CDOT Express Lanes. DV plates do not convey toll exemption. (Proposed legislation to grant DV plate holders a toll exemption effective July 1, 2026 did not advance as of the research date.) Contact E-470 Public Highway Authority (e470.com) and CDOT directly for any updates.
Authority: C.R.S. § 42-3-204
Authority: C.R.S. § 42-2-118
Authority: FMCSA Military Skills Test Waiver Program; C.R.S. § 42-2-402
Authority: C.R.S. § 42-2-107(2.5)
Authority: C.R.S. § 33-4-104; HB17-1374 (Colorado Heroes Hunting & Fishing Act)
Authority: C.R.S. § 33-4-104
Colorado is a landlocked state with no ocean coast and no saltwater fishing license program.
Authority: C.R.S. § 33-4-104; HB17-1374
Authority: SB20-069; C.R.S. § 33-10-107
Authority: Colorado Parks and Wildlife camping rules; SB20-069
Authority: SB20-069; C.R.S. § 33-10-107
Authority: Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Choice Act); Colorado Higher Education statute
Authority: C.R.S. § 23-3.3-101 et seq.
Authority: SB25-247 (2025); C.R.S. § 28-3.5-101 et seq.
Authority: HB24-1076; MIC3 compact
Authority: C.R.S. § 24-50-104; C.R.S. § 8-1-153 (HB21-1065)
Authority: C.R.S. § 12-20-202; DORA DPO Military FAQ
Authority: C.R.S. § 12-20-202(3); HB24-1097
Authority: C.R.S. § 24-109-105 (state procurement preference); HB16-1197
Authority: C.R.S. § 24-51-503
Authority: CHFA authorizing statute; 38 U.S.C. § 3710 (VA loan)
Authority: C.R.S. § 28-5-710 (Veterans Trust Fund)
Colorado does not have a current state wartime or service bonus program paying lump sums to veterans for military service. No Colorado veteran bonus statute identified as of 2026.
Authority: Federal LIHEAP; C.R.S. § 26-1-111
Authority: C.R.S. § 28-5-701 et seq.
Authority: HB23-1088; HB25-1132
Authority: HB18-1078
Authority: HB16-1179; SB16-144; SB17-006; HB24-1174; C.R.S. § 18-12-203
Authority: C.R.S. § 28-3-102
Authority: Colo. Const. Art. X § 3.5; C.R.S. § 39-3-203; Amendment G / HCR23-1002 (2024)
Authority: C.R.S. § 39-22-104
Authority: C.R.S. § 28-5-701; 38 C.F.R. Part 38 (national cemeteries)