Colorado’s most vulnerable adults may be surprised to learn they could qualify for property tax credits or refunds that put money back in their pockets.

Colorado Springs—Silver Key Senior Services is pleased to announce it has joined AARP Foundation Property Tax-Aide to help low- and moderate-income older adults get money back on their homes by helping Colorado Springs residents navigate the often-complex process of applying for property tax refunds or credits. 

Through Property Tax-Aide, trained volunteers in local communities use an innovative web-based digital tool that helps older adults determine eligibility and apply for property tax relief. Since its inception in 2019, Property Tax-Aide has helped thousands of older residents receive over 10 million dollars in property tax refunds and credits.

Older adults living on low or fixed incomes are at risk of having to leave their homes because they can no longer afford rising property taxes or increased rent. Only about 8% of low- and moderate-income older adults take advantage of the property tax relief programs available in their communities. Colorado is one of 14 states currently supported by the AARP Foundation Property Tax-Aide program. Depending on where they live, homeowners, renters, nursing home residents, even people who don’t have to file a tax return, may qualify.

Silver Key Senior Services’ mission is to serve in partnership with their stakeholders to support a healthy quality of life for seniors, allowing them to age safely with dignity and independence. Silver Key’s vision is to ensure the value, worth and needs of all seniors are identified and honored. Silver Key is proud to serve thousands of seniors in the Pikes Peak region. Silver Key offers a variety of services for area seniors to maintain their independence, safety and quality of life which include transportation, nutrition, and health and wellness services, that support senior well-being by addressing, mobility, nutrition, mental and physical challenges, financial matters, health care benefits, and connections to available federal and local resources.

 “More than 20 million people age 50 and older spend up to 30% of their income on housing, and about half of those individuals spend at least 50%,” said Emily Allen, Senior Vice President, AARP Foundation Programs. “Together with our growing number of network partners, we can help our most vulnerable adults save money and remain in their homes longer as they age. AARP Foundation is thrilled to be bringing Silver Key Senior Services on as a vital network member in the implementation and expansion of the Property Tax-Aide program.”

About AARP Foundation Property Tax-Aide

AARP Foundation Property Tax-Aide helps low- and moderate-income residents more easily find, understand, and take advantage of property tax relief programs they may not even know about. Learn more at aarpfoundation.org/propertytaxaide.

About Silver Key Senior Services

Silver Key Senior Services was founded in 1970 to improve the quality of life for area nursing home residents. Today, Silver Key’s mission has broadened to provide more than 11,000 seniors annually with a wide variety of services, including Silver Key Connections Café, Silver Key Home Delivered Meals including Meals on Wheels, Silver Key Reserve & Ride transportation services, and vital Senior Health & Wellness services that offer a full spectrum of senior assistance including government food program distribution, pantry, Behavioral Health and Companionship services, Housing Navigation, and much more! To learn more about Silver Key and volunteer opportunities, call or visit 719-884-2300 or www.silverkey.org.  Specifically learn about Property Tax-Aide here:  https://www.silverkey.org/www-silverkey-org-aarp-pta/ 

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About AARP Foundation

AARP Foundation works to end senior poverty by helping vulnerable people over 50 build economic opportunity. Our approach emphasizes equitable outcomes for populations that have faced systemic discrimination. As AARP's charitable affiliate, we serve AARP members and nonmembers alike. Through vigorous legal advocacy and evidence-based solutions, and by building supportive community connections, we foster resilience, advance equity and restore hope.

To learn more, visit aarpfoundation.org or follow @AARPFoundation on social media.

For more information: AARP Media Relations, 202-434-2560, media@aarp.org, @AARPMedia

In their September 9, 2021 State Board of Education Meeting, the Colorado Department of Education officially approved North Middle School's School of Innovation plan. Currently, North Middle School is in the third year of a statewide “Performance” rating after a single year of “Turnaround” status - an achievement attributed to the strength and participation of the entire North community.  

This rigorous process required North Middle School to submit an innovation plan to the Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education, outlining the innovative practices the school intended to implement and identify the state laws or rules and local policies that the school was seeking to waive. D11's Board of Education approved North's innovation plan on June 9, 2021. Once approved by the local board of education, North submitted the innovation plans and waiver requests to the Colorado State Board of Education for approval. The five significant waivers included in the plan are: extended school day (for some students), extended school year (for some students), expanded options for identifying Gifted and Talented students, choice enrollments aligned to student attendance, and staffing formula modification. All of these waivers have been reviewed and approved by North staff and community, including the School Accountability Committee.

As part of the School of Innovation plans, North Middle School has implemented equitable access to gifted and talented programing; alternative learning environments including access to physical outlets like mountain biking, rock climbing, and trips to local museums and organizations; access to extra academic support through Homework Club and math and language arts tutoring after school; a before-school Learning Center offers homework assistance, tutoring, study skills coaching, and computer access; and much more!

North Middle School is a prime example of a true community school continually striving to meet the student's needs, the family, and the neighborhood.