Originally published in the April 19 issue of The Mountain-Ear Newspaper.

Serene Karplus, Nederland.

It is tough to live on a fixed income when taxes and utility costs continually rise. Many of our mountain seniors look for relief from many directions and try to figure out financing options to keep our homes.

Our federal, state, and county governments offer several opportunities to either reduce our costs or obtain grants and loans that help pay the bills. Last week, we discussed several of them with our Boulder County Treasurer Paul Weissmann and Assessor Cynthia Braddock over lunch at the Nederland Community Center.

Senior Property Tax Homestead Exemption: The Colorado Constitution establishes a property tax exemption for qualifying senior citizens, surviving spouses of senior citizens who previously qualified, and for disabled veterans.

For those who qualify, 50 percent of the first $200,000 in actual value of their primary residence is exempted, for a maximum exemption amount of $100,000 in actual value. The State of Colorado pays the property taxes on the exempted value. Whether or not the state budget funds this is determined each year, but it is currently funded.

Qualifying seniors for this year (tax year 2018, billed in 2019) were born on or before January 1, 1953, and both owned and lived in the home continuously starting before January 1, 2008. Applications (available from the Assessor’s office) must be filed no later than July 15 to have the exemption apply to the tax bill received the following year.

Contact the Assessor’s office for further details about how to handle the exemption if the property is in trust, or a joint owner spouse dies, or the home is destroyed by a natural disaster.

Senior Tax Deferral Program: This program provides an interest-bearing loan from the State of Colorado to pay taxes now and allows deferred repayment until the home is sold or settled after death. It allows payment deferral for either half or all of the tax and is available only if the senior is not deriving income from (renting out) the property.

Eligibility for this program is age 65 and there is no low-income requirement, so any senior can do this. A version of this program is also available without age requirement for active military status. The 2018 loan rate is 2.25% and is based on the rate of U.S. Treasury 10-year notes. It requires that the owner has at least 25% equity in the home; lenders of reverse mortgages may not allow this program, due to becoming the subordinated lien. Completed applications, available through the County Treasurer’s office, must be submitted by late March in the year of the deferment.

Senior Tax Worker Program: An opportunity to earn money equivalent to the Boulder County-designated portion of property taxes, senior property owners 60 years or older are hired as temporary workers for the county. Participants earn $10.20 per hour and are eligible to earn between $240 and $1,000, based on the Boulder County portion of their property tax bill. Seniors must own property in Boulder County and live at the location where the taxes are due. Wages earned are paid monthly directly to the senior tax worker, with Social Security and Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) deducted. All participants in the program are still responsible for paying their property taxes by the due date(s).

Applications are available online or can be mailed from the offices of the Boulder County Commissioners and are accepted through June 15.

PTC Rebates (Colorado Property /Rent/Heat Credit): Designed for low income ($13,608/year single, $18,343/year married) owners and renters, age 65 or older (or surviving spouse age 58 and older) or disabled for the entire year, who have lived (lawfully present) in Colorado for the entire year, this rebate allows money back up to $892.00 for property taxes, rent, or heat already paid. Application may be made up to two years after the end of the calendar year with an address that matches the driver’s license of Colorado ID card. Free assistance to complete the application form is available from the CO Department of Revenue (303- 238-7378, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA – 800-906-9887), or a tax site (call 2-1-1 to locate). More information is available from www.TaxColorado.com, click on File and PTC Rebate.

LEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program): Paying a portion of a winter heat bill (November 1 through April 30), this federal program is intended only as a small leg-up for high winter heat bills, paying a maximum of $344 in a year. Eligibility is not age-based and requires that the household must contain at least one member who is a U.S. citizen/legal permanent resident in the county where applying, paying heating costs (or heat costs included in rent, but must work with landlord for a successful application), and meet the income guidelines – currently $1,658/month single and $2,233/month for a two-person household.

Energy Smart: Various programs fund assistance insulating and other efficiency improvements to reduce energy costs - no age requirements and higher than poverty-level income eligibility. Call 303-544-1000 or visit www.EnergySmartYES.com

All ages of adults are welcome at all events, attended mostly by folks over age 50. Sign up for all meals and events at 303-258-0799 or Meetup.com/Mountain-MidLife-Social-Group or by email at NederlandAreaSeniors@gmail.com. Meals are served at the Nederland Community Center. Please call two days ahead for lunch reservations (more for dinners and breakfasts if possible). Missed the deadline? Call anyway. Costs listed show first the over-age-60 requested anonymous contribution, then the under-age-60 price. Please note that all over age 60 are welcome at meals regardless of ability to contribute financially.

Monday, April 23, Noon, $5/$8.25: Chicken Enchilada Pie, Spanish Rice, Lettuce/Tomato, Orange

Wednesday, April 25, Noon, $5/$8.25: Vegetable Pot Pie, Biscuit Top, Spinach Salad, Melon Mix

Friday, April 27, 5 p.m. Social,5:30 p.m. Meal, $5/$8 Mountain MidLife Dinner and Portugal Adventure: Bacalhau (Cod w Tomato/Cilantro), Fijoada Vegetables (Cabbage/Onion/Squash/Kidney Benas), Broa (Cornbread), Custard w Fruit and Nut Toppings