SB 23-036

Senate Bill 23-036 changes how veterans with disabilities apply for property tax exemptions in Colorado. Instead of submitting applications to the state's Division of Veterans Affairs, veterans now need to send their applications directly to their county tax assessor along with proof from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that they qualify as a veteran with a disability. The bill also updates terminology to use "people first language," changing references from "disabled veteran" to "veteran with a disability." This bill was signed into law on June 5, 2023, and parts of it will start taking effect immediately while other parts will begin in January 2024.

Official Summary

An individual applying for the property tax exemption for a veteran with a disability has been required to submit the application to the division of veterans affairs (division) in the Colorado department of veterans and military affairs. The act instead requires an individual to submit an application to the individual's county tax assessor. When submitting an application, the act requires an individual to include proof of qualifying veteran with a disability status, which the act defines as documentary evidence from the United States department of veterans affairs that the individual is a qualifying veteran with a disability. The act further requires the division to develop guidance that specifies the documentary evidence from the United States department of veterans affairs that must be included with an application. The act eliminates the requirement that the division determine whether an individual is a qualifying veteran with a disability. To comply with an existing statutory requirement that "people first language" be used in new or amended statutes that refer to persons with disabilities, the act also changes the existing terms "disabled veteran" and "disabled veterans" to "veteran with a disability" and "veterans with a disability". APPROVED by Governor June 5, 2023 PORTIONS EFFECTIVE June 5, 2023 PORTIONS EFFECTIVE January 1, 2024 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes