Janette Taylor, Peak to Peak Housing and Human Services Alliance. The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) now has a Home Modification Program with tax credits that cover the cost of updating the homes of seniors and people with disabilities to accommodate their needs, such as wheelchair ramps and stability handles in the home. The main purpose of this program is to allow more Colorado seniors to age in place.

As long as your income is less then $150,000, you can take advantage of this option. Here are the details:

Who qualifies for the program?

Anyone who…
Has an illness, impairment or disability that necessitates the requested home modification; and
Is an individual taxpayer with an adjusted family income at or below the income limit, which is $150,000 for the 2019 income tax year. The limit will increase by the Consumer Price Index in future years.
Dependents with disabilities do not qualify – the person with a disability must also be the taxpayer.
If the qualified individual is a renter, they must have the owner’s permission to modify the residence.

The home must…
Exist before the work begins – the work may not be completed during initial construction.
Be the primary residence of the qualified individual.
Be located in Colorado.

The modifications must…

Be necessary to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of a qualified individual;

Increase the residence’s visitability;

Enable greater accessibility and independence in the residence for a qualified individual;

Be required due the a qualified individual’s illness, impairment or disability;

Allow a qualified individual to age in place;

Meet the Division of Housing’s Home Modification Construction Specifications; and

Be completed in the tax year for which the qualified individual will receive the tax credit.

What does not qualify?
Durable medical equipment and other items that are not installed in the home.

The modifications can be done by the contractor of your choice (although DOLA does recommend checking references and licensing), and proof must be provided that the modification was done via before and after photographs.

For more information, please check out: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dola/home-modification-tax-credit