Colorado’s Senior Homestead Exemption offers a modest property tax break to homeowners 65 and older, many of whom are on fixed incomes. That’s why we fervently oppose Gov. John Hickenlooper’s proposed budget amendment to slash the exemption in half – from the first $200,000 of value, which is now the case, to the first $100,000, if Hickenlooper has his way.

The lower exemption would mean higher property taxes for senior homeowners regardless of their ability to pay. And the homestead exemption is not a blanket tax break for all seniors. To qualify for the lower annual property tax bill, seniors must be at least 65 years old and have lived in their own homes for at least 10 consecutive years. So it’s intended to help older Coloradans stay in the homes and neighborhoods they have had for a decade or longer.

Hickenlooper has asked the Legislature to pass his plan. We ask the lawmakers to reject it.

To us, the decision is easy: Side with older homeowners – who are taxpayers, too – not the governor’s ill-advised plan.

Read more at The Pueblo Chieftain.