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As of Sept. 1 Expanded CMV Must Carry Law is in effect. For more information on this expansion please click This Link.

Governor Polis Rides to the Rescue: Tax Relief and Colorado’s Hurricane Support

Helicopter aiding hurricane recovery with responders on the ground.

DENVER – When disaster strikes, Colorado rolls in like a well-oiled machine! Last Friday, on October 18, 2024, Governor Jared Polis, alongside the Colorado Department of Revenue, made an announcement that will give some much-needed breathing room to taxpayers impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Tax deadlines? Not today! If you’re in the affected areas, you’ve got until May 1, 2025, to file your returns and settle up on those payments. That’s right, while you’re focused on rebuilding and staying safe, we’re giving you extra time to get your finances in order. And the best part? This aligns perfectly with the IRS’s federal relief​. Talk about teamwork!

Governor Polis Says Relax—We’ve Got Your Back

“We’re here to make sure that Coloradans and anyone with ties to these disaster-hit states can breathe easy,” said Governor Polis. “Tax deadlines should be the last thing on anyone’s mind after a storm. We want people focusing on staying safe, rebuilding, and recovering. This relief gives families the space to do just that—without facing penalties for missed dates.” No more scrambling over tax forms while you’re dealing with fallen trees and flooded basements!

This tax relief isn’t just for Coloradans, though. If you have business or property in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Virginia, you’re covered. The extension stretches to any taxes originally due between September 23, 2022, and February 15, 2023. That gives you until May 1, 2025, to file, so there’s plenty of time to get back on your feet without Uncle Sam knocking on your door. You can find more details directly on the Governor’s official website​, Colorado.gov.

Dealing with 2023 Taxes? We’ve Got Good News (and a Heads-Up)

If you’re one of those organized people who filed for an automatic extension on your 2023 returns—which would’ve been due on October 15, 2024—guess what? You now have until May 1, 2025, to file. It’s like finding a bonus snooze button on your alarm! But (and here’s the catch), if you didn’t pay your 2023 taxes by April 15, 2024, those pesky penalties and interest will still apply. So, while the filing extension is great news, don’t think you’re off the hook if you missed that payment deadline. Still, extra time to file is nothing to scoff at!

Relief for the Road Warriors: Motor Carriers and IFTA Waivers

Now, let’s talk trucks. For motor carriers out there hauling goods across states, you’re getting some love, too. Colorado is stepping up to honor any International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) waivers that Florida has issued for late payments—so long as those payments hit the books by the May 2025 deadline. If you’re on the road, battling fuel costs, and dodging storm debris, Colorado has your back. No need to stress about extra penalties on top of everything else. For more information on the IFTA relief, check the IRS disaster relief page​.

Small Business Lifeline: Sales Tax Licensees Get a Break

Own a business? Colorado hasn’t forgotten you. Sales tax license holders will be happy to know that filing and paying by May 1, 2025, will still count as timely filing. That means you can still snag your vendor fee discounts. This gives small businesses much-needed relief while they focus on keeping their doors open and serving their communities post-disaster. So, if you’re worried about missing out on savings, don’t sweat it—you’re still in the game.

Home-Rule Jurisdictions: There’s a Bit of a Catch

But hang on. If you’re in one of Colorado’s home-rule jurisdictions—where local governments handle tax collection—you’ll need to take a few extra steps. The tax extension isn’t automatic for you. Instead, you’ll have to contact the Colorado Department of Revenue at 303-238-SERV (7378) to get the extension applied after you receive your tax bill. Don’t worry—it’s not as scary as it sounds. Just give them a ring when that bill arrives, and they’ll help sort you out.

Colorado Isn’t Just Talking—We’re Doing!

If you think Colorado’s only response was extending deadlines, think again. We’re not just handing out extensions and calling it a day—Colorado National Guard boots are literally on the ground. Governor Polis deployed a Chinook Helicopter and an eight-member crew to Florida to help with Hurricane Milton recovery efforts. Not only that, but our Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) sprang into action, sending Incident Management Teams (IMT) to Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina to help coordinate emergency operations. It’s like a well-coordinated dance of disaster response teams!

And while we’re talking about action heroes, let’s give a shout-out to Colorado’s Urban Search and Rescue Task Force One. This elite crew of 200 highly trained professionals, including firefighters, paramedics, structural engineers, and even canine handlers, were deployed by FEMA to help with search and rescue efforts. These folks don’t mess around—they were out there saving lives, securing structures, and making sure communities can recover.

Team Colorado—More Than Just Tax Relief

DHSEM didn’t stop there. They mobilized a nine-person Emergency Management Assistance Team to head into the storm’s path, showing up first in Tallahassee to help with evacuations. And when the storm shifted, Colorado teams followed suit, heading to Sarasota and Hillsborough Counties to assist with the ongoing recovery efforts. We’ve also got to hand it to the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Their emergency coordinator was deployed for a solid 11 days, helping manage shelters and distribute vital supplies like water, ice, food, and sanitation services to those who needed it most in Columbia County, Florida.

In short, Colorado isn’t just issuing tax extensions and calling it a day. We’re on the ground, lending a hand (and a helicopter), helping communities get back on their feet. Whether it’s flying in supplies, assisting with evacuations, or making sure you’ve got extra time to get your tax situation sorted, Colorado is here to help.

In Summary: Colorado’s Got Your Back

This extension, the boots on the ground, the National Guard deployments, and even the relief for motor carriers—it all adds up to one thing: Colorado steps up in times of crisis. Whether it’s tax deadlines or disaster relief, we’ve got a plan to help ease the burden.

So, if you’ve been affected by Hurricanes Helene or Milton, take a deep breath and know that Colorado has your back. Whether it’s filing those taxes by May 1, 2025, getting your motor carrier situation handled, or tapping into FEMA’s recovery efforts, we’re all in this together.

For all the official details, visit the IRS page on tax reliefIRS, or check out the Governor’s official websiteColorado.gov.

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