Seniors can pay off tax bills with work at county offices

BOULDER — Seniors who want to earn back a portion of their annual property tax bills can apply to the countywide Senior Tax Work-Off program.

The 12-year-old, award-winning program places older adults in county offices on a temporary basis with a wage of $5.15 an hour. Seniors may work up to 80 hours, earning $412 per year, depending on the amount of their property taxes. County taxpayers who are at least 60 years old and live in their homes are eligible to apply.

Last year, about 90 seniors worked for the county, many in clerical positions, for such departments as Land Use, Parks and Open Space, and the Sheriff’s Department. Some citizens worked as data entry operators in county clinics, while others worked with the county’s gardeners in the gardening program.

SPONSORED CONTENT

How Platte River Power Authority is accelerating its energy transition

Platte River Power Authority, the community-owned wholesale electricity provider for Northern Colorado, has a history of bold initiatives.

Efforts are made to place seniors where they have the most experience and interest and in county facilities near their homes. Job orders are filled throughout the year as they arrive from county departments and offices.

Boulder County Commissioners allocated funds for the program from the 1998 budget to pay half of each senior’s wages, with the departments paying the other half.

Applications are available at the Broomfield, Louisville, Lafayette and Boulder Senior Centers, or through the Boulder County Commissioners’ office by calling Maddie Bridge, program coordinator, at 441-3562. Because the program continues throughout the year, there is no deadline for returning applications.