COLORADO SPRINGS- Issues pertaining to senior citizens was at the forefront of a town hall hosted by Senator Bob Gardner (R- Colorado Springs) and Representative Terri Carver (R-Colorado Springs) Saturday morning.
Gardner and Carver introduced a bill in February, to expand a property tax exemption for seniors, and it hasn’t been heard in committee just yet.
Gardner says the bill is being laid over because a Democrat legislator in the house is introducing another bill that pertains to the issue, but he told attendees Saturday he still hasn’t seen the bill.
If the bill passes, it would allow senior citizens an exemption on their property taxes if they have to move because of medical reasons.
Some of the examples Carver gave included someone needing to move to a lower altitude, or moving to a house that’s one level if they don’t have a lot of mobility.
“With seniors on fixed income, to now be faced with a property tax bill, is a real burden,” said Carver.
Carver added that El Paso County Assessor Steve Schlieker brought the issue to her attention, and that in some cases senior citizens stay in a home that’s not best suited for their medical condition.
Gardner and Carver introduced a similar bill last year, it failed.
The property tax exemption bill was just one of the items addressed Saturday morning, Carver also took time to discuss a bill to consider more development for electric vehicle infrastructure, which the AARP says could significantly increase utility bills.
