Do I qualify for Colorado Historic Residential Tax Credits?

​Thinking about restoring your Denver Square, Craftsman, or Tudor—and wondering if the State of Colorado will help with the bill? Good news: Colorado offers a state income tax credit for qualifying work on owner-occupied historic homes. Below is a plain-English guide to who qualifies, what work counts, how much you can claim, and how to apply--before you start. (Denver.gov)
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The quick answer
If your home is at least 30 years old, officially historic (or contributing to a historic district), owner-occupied (not a rental), and you’re planning at least $5,000 of qualifying rehabilitation that meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, you likely qualify for a 20% Colorado tax credit—with a maximum credit of $100,000 per property per 10-year period for projects completed in or after 2025. (Denver.gov)


Who qualifies?
You may qualify if all of the following are true:

• Historic status: Your house is individually listed or a contributing property on the Denver local landmark list, the Colorado Register, or the National Register. (If you’re in a Denver historic district, you’re probably “contributing”—check your status.) (Denver.gov)
• Age: The structure is 30+ years old. (Denver.gov)
• Occupancy: You own and live in the home (primary or second home). Tenants can qualify with a lease of 5+ years; rentals and flips use the commercial program instead. (Denver.gov)
• Scope: You’ll complete $5,000+ of qualifying “rehab” work (details below). (Denver.gov)
• Standards: All work—eligible or not—must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. (Denver.gov)

Federal vs. state credits: The federal historic tax credit (the 20% HTC) is only for income-producing properties (e.g., rentals, mixed-use). Owner-occupied homes do not qualify for the federal credit—but they do for Colorado’s state residential credit. (National Park Service)


How much can I get?

• Credit amount: 20% of qualified rehabilitation expenses.
• Cap: Up to $50,000 per property per 10-year period--increasing to $100,000 for projects completed in or after 2025. (That’s a potential $500,000 of eligible costs yielding a $100,000 state credit after 2025.) (Denver.gov)

What work qualifies (and what doesn’t)?
Generally eligible (examples):

• Masonry repair/repointing; foundation repair
• Roof repair/replacement (when needed for preservation)
• Wood siding/trim repair; window and door repair or, if necessary, in-kind replacement
• Electrical, plumbing, HVAC upgrades; insulation
• Interior historic finishes (plaster, millwork, flooring) repair/refinish
  All work must preserve historic character and meet the Standards. (Denver.gov)

Commonly not eligible:

• Kitchen/bath remodels that change layouts (beyond restoring historic features)
• New additions or finishing basements that don’t relate to historic fabric
• Landscaping, fences, retaining walls, paving, site work
• Appliances, fixtures, soft costs (design fees, permits, insurance), sewer line replacement
  (Still, any non-qualifying work done in the same project must also meet the Standards.) (Denver.gov)

Timing rules you really need to know

• Apply before you start (best practice). Beginning in 2025, you cannot apply if the project is already completed. If you’ve already started, you have 24 months from the start to submit Part 1, and 120 days after completion to submit Part 2—but applying after you start increases the risk of denial (e.g., missing before-photos or Standards issues). (Denver.gov)

The application—what to expect
Most Denver homeowners go through Denver Landmark Preservation, which administers the residential credit locally (commercial/income-producing projects go through the state’s OEDIT portal). Process highlights: (Denver.gov)

1. Pre-application meeting (required in Denver)
2. Design review / Certificate of Appropriateness if exterior permitted work is involved
3. Part 1 (Preliminary Approval): scope, budget (qualifying vs. non-qualifying), and clear “before” photos
4. Do the work (per Standards)
5. Part 2 (Final Certification): detailed “after” photos matching the “before” set
6. Claim the credit with Colorado Form 104CR when you file state taxes for the year the work was completed (you’ll include the certification number) (Denver.gov)

Fees: Denver charges a small review fee based on total project cost (e.g., $250–$1,000). (Denver.gov)


Quick scenarios

• Roof + masonry + window repair on a Park Hill Tudor, $65,000 eligible costs → $13,000 credit. (20% of qualified expenses.) (Denver.gov)
• Whole-house systems upgrade (electrical/HVAC/plumbing) + plaster repair, $260,000 eligible costs finished in 2025 → $52,000 credit, subject to the $100,000 per-10-year cap (post-2025 limit gives room for larger projects). (Denver.gov)
• Kitchen gut with new layout and custom cabinets? Most of that is not eligible unless restoring historic features; you might still qualify on other components (e.g., electrical, plaster repair) if the overall project meets the Standards. (Denver.gov)

Pro tips to avoid denials

• Photograph everything before work begins—every elevation and each item you’ll touch. (Denver.gov)
• Keep the scope consistent: the Part 2 must match Part 1; changes risk denial. (Denver.gov)
• Coordinate early if you’re in a Denver Landmark district—design review and tax credits are separate steps. (Denver.gov)
• Mind occupancy rules if you STR your home; more than half-year rental can shift you to the commercial credit track. (Denver.gov)

Resources & official guidance

• Denver Landmark—Residential State Tax Credit (how to apply, eligibility, costs, deadlines, 2025 changes): start here. (Denver.gov)
• Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation (what your work must meet). (Denver.gov)
• History Colorado—program overview & statute (statewide rules; residential/commercial pathways). (History Colorado)
• Federal (NPS) Tax Credit—income-producing properties only; owner-occupied homes don’t qualify. (National Park Service)

Final word (and how we can help)
The credit is generous—but only if you set it up correctly from the start. If you’re considering roof, masonry, window, or systems work on a historic home, talk to us before demolition. We’ll align your scope with the Standards, help you navigate design review, and assemble the photos and documentation you’ll need so your project preserves your home’s character and captures the credit. (Denver.gov)
This article is general information, not tax or legal advice. Always consult your CPA or tax attorney about your specific situation.