In 2024, owning property in Colorado does not automatically grant you residency status. While purchasing land or a home in the state is a significant investment, it alone does not establish legal residency for voting, taxes, or other purposes. To be considered a Colorado resident, you must meet specific criteria set forth by state law.
Residency Requirements in Colorado
According to Colorado law, residency is determined by the location of a person’s primary home or place of abode. To establish residency, you must reside in Colorado with the present intention to make it your permanent home. Simply owning property in the state is not sufficient evidence of residency.
To be considered a Colorado resident, you must take actions that would be expected of any permanent resident. This includes:
- Paying Colorado state income tax
- Obtaining a Colorado driver’s license or identification card
- Registering to vote in Colorado
- Maintaining permanent employment in Colorado
- Residing in Colorado during the summer or other periods when not enrolled as a student
Failure to comply with these requirements, such as failing to pay Colorado state income tax or register your vehicle, may be considered evidence of non-residency.
Exceptions for Military Personnel
There are some exceptions to the residency rules for certain individuals. For example, military personnel who maintain Colorado as their “home of record” are eligible to purchase or apply for “resident” hunting and fishing licenses, even if they are stationed elsewhere.
However, this exception applies only to specific situations and does not automatically grant residency status for all purposes. Military personnel must still meet the general residency requirements if they wish to be considered Colorado residents for voting, taxes, or other legal matters.
Establishing Residency for Tuition Purposes
One area where residency is particularly important is for determining tuition rates at Colorado colleges and universities. To qualify for in-state tuition, you must establish domicile in Colorado, which means residing in the state with the present intention to make it your permanent home.
Owning residential property in Colorado that is your primary residence can be considered evidence of domicile for tuition purposes. However, owning vacation or investment property is not sufficient. You must also take other actions, such as paying Colorado state income tax and obtaining a Colorado driver’s license, to demonstrate your intent to make Colorado your permanent home.
Conclusion
In conclusion, owning land or property in Colorado does not automatically make you a resident of the state. To establish residency, you must meet specific legal requirements, such as residing in Colorado with the intent to make it your permanent home, paying state income tax, and obtaining a Colorado driver’s license. While owning property can be considered evidence of residency in certain situations, such as for tuition purposes, it is not sufficient on its own.