Arapahoe County, CO - Official Website

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Animal Control

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1. How do I know if I live in unincorporated Arapahoe County?: Check your address here.

2. What happens to stray or injured animals that Animal Control picks up?: We currently contract with The Aurora Animal Shelter for the sheltering and treatment of strays.

3. Who do I call after office hours if I have a complaint?: For non-emergency complaints, the information can be left on our voice mail and we will contact you the following business morning. For an emergency situation, please contact the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office at 720-874-4711.

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Animal Control - Animal Complaints

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1. How can I get someone to respond at 3 a.m. when my neighbor’s dog is barking?: Animal Control does not respond after hours as barking is not considered an emergency situation and barking complaints require specific steps to be followed. You can call Animal Control 720-874-6750 at any time and leave the information for us to get back with you as soon as the office is open.

2. My neighbor walks his dog off lead. What can I do?: There is no “leash law” for unincorporated Arapahoe County. However, an owner must be present with the dog and the dog must be immediately responsive to the owner. See also definition #18 and Section D of the resolution.

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Animal Control - Animal Complaints - Animal Bites

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1. My dog was bitten by another dog in the neighborhood. Do I need to have a bite report completed?: Bite reports are not completed for animal on animal bites. However, depending on the individual situation, there may have been a separate violation that occurred – for instance, Running at Large.

2. I was bitten by my friend’s dog while I was visiting them. Do I still have to report it?: Any animal bite that occurs that breaks the skin needs to be reported. Quarantine of the animal only occurs if it’s a dog, cat or ferret.

3. My neighbor’s dog bit me. Why was the dog not removed immediately for the quarantine period? Why was the dog not removed permanently after the quarantine was up?: During the 10 day mandatory quarantine period, dogs may remain with their owners at their residence. They may also be quarantined offsite at the owner’s discretion. A dog can only be permanently removed from an owner after a judge has issued a court order mandating this action.

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Animal Control - Animal Complaints - Barking Dogs

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1. Why does it take two signatures from separate households to sign a Noisy Dog complaint when they can be from the same household for other complaints?: Because a barking dog complaint is a relatively easy way for discontented neighbors to "retaliate" against one another, having two separate households willing to sign a complaint and potentially testify gives more credibility to the problem.

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Animal Control - Animal Complaints - Dogs Running At Large

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1. My neighbor walks his dog off lead. What can I do?: There is no “leash law” for unincorporated Arapahoe County. However, an owner must be present with the dog and the dog must be immediately responsive to the owner. See also definition #18 and Section D of the resolution.

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Animal Control - Animal Protection - Animal Emergency Preparedness

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1. I don't want to put together a pet emergency kit. Do I have other options?: Many pet retailers and non-profit animal organizations offer pet emergency kits and pet first aid kits for purchase. Don't forget to add any veterinarian paperwork or prescriptions your pet may be taking to the container.

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Animal Control - Lost or Found Pets

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1. Do you pick up stray cats?: No. Arapahoe County has no regulations regarding cats so they are free to roam.

2. What happens to stray or injured animals that Animal Control picks up?: We currently contract with The Aurora Animal Shelter for the sheltering and treatment of strays.

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Animal Control - Pet Regulations

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1. Do I license my dog with the County or the City where I live? Do I license with both?: You should only license with one entity based on the jurisdiction where you live. If you live in a city or town, you would license with them. If you live in unincorporated, you would license with the County.

2. Does Arapahoe County have a breed ban?: No. Counties follow the state laws in this regard and the State of Colorado does not currently have any breed bans.

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Animal Control - Pet Regulations - Dog License

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1. I’ve had a dog forever. Why do I have to license it now?: Arapahoe County has required dogs to be licensed since 1976. It is a passive system where we require owners to be aware of the requirement themselves or when we have contact with them, and not an active system where we go door to door to enforce it. It is every dog owner's responsibility to be aware of all regulations.

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Animal Control - Wildlife Issues

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1. What services does Animal Control provide in regard to wildlife?: We will loan out traps to citizens of unincorporated Arapahoe County for the trapping of small wildlife per Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife guidelines. We will pick up dead wildlife from public roads and small dead wildlife from public spaces. We will also release wildlife trapped in window wells and fireplaces.

2. Will you trap and relocate wildlife from my property?: No. For human and animal health and welfare reasons, the state restricts the relocation of most wildlife species. If you are experiencing conflict with wildlife on your property and you wish to have it removed, please contact a private pest management specialist. You can find a list of providers in your phone book or by searching online.

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Animal Control - Wildlife Issues - Wildlife

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1. What services does Animal Control provide in regard to wildlife?: We will loan out traps to citizens of unincorporated Arapahoe County for the trapping of small wildlife per Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife guidelines. We will pick up dead wildlife from public roads and small dead wildlife from public spaces. We will also release wildlife trapped in window wells and fireplaces.

2. Will you trap and relocate wildlife from my property?: No. For human and animal health and welfare reasons, the state restricts the relocation of most wildlife species. If you are experiencing conflict with wildlife on your property and you wish to have it removed, please contact a private pest management specialist. You can find a list of providers in your phone book or by searching online.

3. Which animals in Colorado might have rabies?: All mammals, including humans, are susceptible. In Colorado, rabies occurs mainly in wild bats and skunks, and less frequently in foxes, raccoons, bobcats, coyotes, etc. Rodents such as rats, mice, gerbils, guinea pigs and squirrels are not likely to be infected with the virus. Herbivores such as deer, elk, and sheep are susceptible but unlikely to be infected. Additional information and statistics on rabies can be found on the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife website.

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Assessor

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1. How is the value determined on my property?: Values are most often determined by comparing your property with properties that are similar in location, design, size, age and amenities. The value placed on your property for the year 2019 was based on sales between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2018, utilizing the Sales Comparison Approach. A copy of this method for your residential property is available from our office and will be included in your Notice of Value. Compsheet Layout and Time Adjusted Sales Prices

2. How often is property revalued?: Colorado law requires all assessors to reappraise all real property including land and improvements, every two years during the odd-numbered years.

3. What is the difference between actual value and assessed value?: The assessor determines the actual (market) value for all real and personal property. Then a percentage (assessment rate) is multiplied by the actual value to determine the assessed value. In Colorado the residential assessment rate is currently 7.2%. For all other properties including commercial, personal property, vacant land and agricultural land, the assessment rate is 29%.

4. How are property taxes calculated?: The actual value is multiplied by the assessment rate which is then multiplied by the mill levy. The residential rate in Colorado currently is 7.2%. The assessment rate for all other property, including vacant land, is 29%. Example: $150,000 (actual value) x 7.2% (residential assessment rate) x .081265 (mill levy) = $ 877.66 (annual tax dollars). Please note this is only an example. Your value and mill levy maybe different.

5. Why don’t all properties increase or decrease by the same percentage?: Each property is revalued to a June 30, 2018 value regardless of the percentage change. Some people think the previous (2017/2018) values are simply multiplied by an inflation factor, but in a reappraisal year, new data from relevant time frame is used, along with the latest mass appraisal techniques.

6. Who sets the mill levy?: Each individual taxing authority such as school, county, fire, water, sanitation, library, recreation districts and metropolitan districts. These authorities provide services to you and are listed on your tax notice. If you feel you should not be paying to a specific authority please contact that authority. The assessor’s office has no authority over the districts.

7. Doesn’t the Tabor Amendment for 1992 prevent my taxes from rising?: No. The Tabor Amendment (Amendment 1 of 1992) controls the amount that the State and local governments can collect and spend. It does not limit the rate of increase of an individual tax bill.

8. Can you appeal your property taxes to the Assessor?: No. You may only appeal your property’s actual value or classification. Objections to the level of taxation have to be taken to the taxing authorities. Colorado provides tax deferrals and rebates for some seniors. For information on the programs you may call 303-795-4600. authorities

9. If I do not agree with the actual value, what steps should I take?: You may come into the office during May to speak to an appraiser about your value. Or, you may file an appeal online, or mail an appeal to our office. This appeal must be postmarked by the first business day each June. It is important that if you choose to appeal the Assessor’s value, you should provide pertinent information supporting your estimated value. If you appoint an agent to act on your behalf, that person needs your written authorization.

10. I’m not sure if I should appeal or not. How can I find out the sales prices of the properties in my neighborhood for the 24-month period prior to June 30, 2018?: You can get all the information you need in any of the following ways: Search Property information online, use our in office customer service kiosks to research property information. Or, use the copy of your residential comp sheet appraisal (backside of Notice of Valuation) that is mailed with your Notice of Valuation May 1 every odd-numbered year.
Residential, Commercial & Vacant Parcel Search

11. What happens after I appeal?: The Assessor’s Office will review all appeals and respond by letter by the end of June. In some cases the Assessor’s Office might need to make a physical inspection of the property. We will make every effort to do this during the month of June. If you are dissatisfied with the Assessor’s response, you may appeal to the County Board of Equalization.

12. What is the Property Tax Exemption for Seniors?: In the November 2000 election, Colorado voters passed a Property Tax Exemption for Seniors, known as Referendum A. Qualifying Seniors will see 50 percent of the first $ 200,000 of actual value of their primary residence exempted from property tax. To qualify, at least one owner of a home must be 65 years or older as of January 1, and must have occupied the home as a primary residence for at least 10 consecutive years prior to January 1 of the year he/she applies. The Colorado Assembly reviews annually and has approved funding for the senior citizen property exemption for tax year 2018, payable in 2019.

13. How are Parcel numbers assigned?: Each number designates a parcel location.
For example, take parcel number: 2077-16-2-00-032

2077 - Township and Range
A territorial division of land established by federal survey, six mile square and containing 36 sections, each one-mile square.

16 -Section
A division or parcel of land on a government survey comprising
one square mile (640 acres). Thirty-six sections comprise a township

2 - Quarter Section
One quarter section, a quarter section (commonly called a quarter) contains 160 acres
NE¼ = 1 SW¼ = 3
NW¼ = 2 SE¼ = 4

00-032 Random Generated Numbers

14. What do the codes mean on the parcel report?

Instrument

Code	Description
AGR	Agreement
B&S	Bargain and Sale
BargDeed	Bargain
CD	Commissioners Deed
CHN	Change of Name
CONS	Conservators Deed
CTOR	Court Order
DCTF	Death Certificate
DEED	Deed
DeedInLieu	Deed in Lieu Foreclosure
EXEC	Executors Deed
FullCov	Full Covenent Warranty Deed
GRT	Grant Deed
GWAR	General Warranty Deed
LTRS	Letter or Letters
MIN	Mineral Deed
MVTA	Motor Home Verification of Title
NONE	None
Other	Other
PLAT	Plat
PREP	Personal Representative Deed
PTD	Public Trustee Deed
QC	Quit Claim
QCD	Quit Claim Deed
QCJT	Quit Claim Deed - Joint Tenancy
SD	Sheriff's Deed
SHER	Sheriff's Deed
SpecDeed	Special Warranty Deed
STA	Statutory Deed
SWAR	Special Warranty Deed
SWJT	Special Warranty Deed - Joint Tenancy
TREA	Treasurers Deed
TRUS	Trustees Deed
VAC	Vacation
WARR	Warranty Deed
WD	Warranty Deed
WILL	Will
WJT	Warranty Deed - Joint Tenancy

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Budget

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1. How are my tax dollars used?: Taxpayer funds are used to provide a wide variety of programs and services to the citizens of Arapahoe County. The county budget provides a wealth of information on these programs and services and the amount of financial resources used. If you have further questions about the budget, please do not hesitate to contact the Budget Division for assistance.

2. When can I provide input on the budget?: Study sessions and public hearings are held throughout the year on the budget and budget related topics. In the fall, the recommended budget is presented to the Board of County Commissioners by October 15th with a public hearing in the week or two that follows where citizens can comment. The budget is adopted by December 15th each year, also at a Board of County Commissioner public hearing. Citizens who are interested in becoming more involved in the County budget can apply to be appointed to the Citizen Budget Committee who review financial and budgetary issues in more detail. Of course, citizens can provide input on the budget at any time by contacting their County Commissioner.

3. When is the budget adopted?: The budget for the next fiscal year must be adopted by the Board of County Commissioners by December 15th per Colorado statute. The actual date of adoption will vary each year with the calendar and the Board of County Commissioner public hearing agenda. Overall, the county’s budget process is a year-round activity. The formal development of the next fiscal year’s budget begins in June with the preparation of the recommended budget to be presented to the Board of County Commissioners by October 15th. Budget amendments are adopted on a quarterly basis throughout the fiscal year.

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Capitol Improvement Program

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1. How do I report a Drainage Problem in the rural area (approximate area east of Watkins Rd.)?: Notify the County Road & Bridge Division at 720-874-7623.

2. Where can I get information on current County Roadway Construction Projects?: See our Active Projects page Active Projects

3. How do I report a Drainage Problem in the urban area (approximate area west of Watkins Rd.)?: Notify the Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority (SEMSWA) at 303-858-8844.

4. How do I report illegal dumping in a storm drain?: In the urban area notify the Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority (SEMSWA) at 303-858-8844 and in the rural area notify the County Road & Bridge Division at 720-874-6820 or 720-874-7623.

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Citizen Boards and Committees

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1. What are the requirements to serve on an advisory committee?: Requirements vary by board. Please visit the page for each board or committee.

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Clerk and Recorder - Renewal Kiosks

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1. When can I renew at a kiosk?: You can renew at a kiosk anytime – even after the renewal month and your one-month grace period have passed! (However, please note that, by law, a late fee of $25 per month and back ownership taxes will be assessed if you renew after your grace period has expired.)

2. What types of license plates can be renewed at a kiosk?: You can use a kiosk to renew a personal automobile, pickup truck, motorcycle, or coach and park model trailer. It will NOT renew a collector, commercial fleet, dealer, government or taxi/livery vehicle, tow truck, or any disabled veteran specialty license plates.

3. What if I need proof of emissions?

You can renew at a kiosk immediately after completing a gas emissions test.

Please wait at least two (2) days after a diesel emissions test or after updating your auto insurance before renewing at a kiosk. This allows time for the machine to be updated electronically by testing facilities. The kiosk cannot accept paper proof.

Your renewal postcard will indicate if you need proof of emissions.

4. What if I need proof of auto insurance?: Please wait 2-4 days after updating your auto insurance to renew at the kiosk. This allows time for your insurance to provide updated information to our statewide vehicle registration system. The kiosk cannot accept paper proof. Your renewal postcard will indicate if you need proof of insurance.

5. Will I pay a fee to use the kiosk?

You will pay a $3 service fee for every vehicle renewed at a kiosk, or $3.95 at kiosks inside King Soopers stores. This fee pays for the technology and is not assessed nor retained by Arapahoe County. In addition, there is a $0.50 convenience fee to pay by check, or 2.15% convenience fee to pay by credit or debit card.

Note: Arapahoe County has temporarily waived the service fee and check fee through Dec. 31, 2018 for vehicles registered in our county. Our residents will not pay for these fees, but the waiver does not apply to residents from other counties. We have opted to temporarily cover these costs to help encourage our citizens to use the kiosks, at a time when motor vehicle transactions at our service counters are taking longer as a result of the new statewide motor vehicle system.

6. What is Colorado MVExpress?: Colorado MVExpress is a self-service kiosk that offers a fast and easy way to renew your vehicle registration. It is a blue and yellow machine with touch-screen technology that looks similar to an ATM machine. Simply scan the barcode on your renewal postcard, or type your license plate number and the last eight numbers of your Vehicle Identification Number on the touch-screen. The machine will accept your payment and print your registration and license plate tabs on the spot!

7. Who can use the kiosks?

You may use any kiosk in the state if your vehicle is registered in Arapahoe County or in another participating county. Please see a list of participating counties.

If you do not live in one of these counties, the kiosks are not available for your transaction. For information, please contact your county motor vehicle office.

8. How does the kiosk work?: Simply scan the barcode on your vehicle registration renewal postcard or use the touch-screen to type in your license plate number. Follow the instructions to review your vehicle record, and pay taxes and fees. The machine will print your receipt, registration and tabs on the spot. Just grab your documents and go!

9. How can I pay?: Cash, check, credit or debit card are accepted at most locations. However, please note that cash is NOT accepted at the AAA and King Soopers kiosks. Only one method of payment is allowed per transaction.

10. Where are the kiosks located?: There are 20 kiosk locations in 12 Colorado counties. Only citizens of the following counties can renew their license plates at a kiosk, and may use any kiosk in the state : Arapahoe, Adams, Boulder, Broomfield, Douglas, El Paso, Fremont, Jefferson, La Plata, Larimer, Mesa and Weld. Find your nearest kiosk at www.arapahoegov.com/kiosk.

11. Can the kiosk do other transactions?

No, the kiosk will only process a license plate renewal. It cannot issue replacement tabs or change the name or address on your motor vehicle registration. We hope to expand the capabilities of the kiosks in the future.

Please visit www.arapahoegov.com/DMV for information on how to access these services at a motor vehicle office.

www.arapahoegov.com/DMV

12. Who do I contact with questions about my transaction?: Please call ITI Customer Care at 1-866-955-5258 with questions about your transaction at a kiosk.

13. Who do I contact with questions about my motor vehicle registration or license plate?

Arapahoe County residents may contact Arapahoe County Motor Vehicle at 303-795-4500 with questions about your vehicle registration. Our phones are answered Monday-Friday 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Residents of other counties should contact the motor vehicle office in your county with questions about your vehicle registration.

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Clerk and Recorder Recording

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1. How do I receive a release of deed after paying off my mortgage?

The Recording Division can search to see if your Release of Deed of Trust has been recorded by the lender. If it has been recorded, you can purchase a copy from our office.

If it has not been recorded, you will need to contact your lender and inquire when your loan paperwork will be released.

2. Can you perform a lien search for me?: We do not perform lien searches. You must have information on a specific document

3. How do I search for recorded documents?

Use our online Legal Document Search to search for and purchase copies of recorded documents dating back to Feb. 1, 1996. Visit our Recording Division at the County Administration Building, 5334 S. Prince Street, Littleton to search for public records dating back to 1902.

For Court records, such as divorce or probate records, please contact the Colorado Judicial Branch and contact the District Court in which the case was filed.

Legal Document Search

4. Where do I get information on marriage license requirements?: See Marrige License requirements.

5. How do I obtain a birth or death certificate?: Order a birth or death certificate through Tri-County Health Department at 303-220-9200 or 6162 S. Willow Drive #100 Greenwood Village, CO 80111. Arapahoe County does not maintain birth or death certificates.

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Clerk and Recorder’s Office

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1. How do I obtain a birth or death certificate?: Contact the Tri-County Health Department by calling 303-220-9200 or visiting:
6162 S. Willow Drive
#100
Greenwood Village, CO 80111

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Clerk Motor Vehicle Registration

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1. How much will it cost to register my vehicle?

Please use our New Vehicle Fee Estimate Calculator to determine an estimate of your registration fees. This tool works for first-time registrations only, and includes ownership taxes and license fees. It will not include sales tax. It also does not work to estimate fees for a renewal.

Taxes and fees to register vehicles in the State of Colorado are based on age of the vehicle, weight, taxable value, purchase date, and type of license plate requested. See tax rates and fees in Arapahoe County.

2. Do I need an emission test to register/renew my vehicle?: Colorado has established vehicle emissions testing programs to protect our air quality. Your vehicle registration renewal postcard will indicate if your vehicle is due for an emissions test. See our Emissions Information page

3. My temporary tags will be expiring soon. Can I come in and get license plates?

If you financed a vehicle through a dealer/leader, your title paperwork must be completed by the dealership and County. This process takes up to 60 days.

If it has been less than 55 days since your temporary tags were issued, please wait to receive a Title Complete postcard in the mail. Once you receive this postcard, you can visit any of your branch offices to register your vehicle.

If it has been more than 55 days since your temporary tags were issued and you have not received a Title Complete postcard, please visit one of our branch offices to request an extension on your temporary tags. The cost is $7.08 for another temporary registration.

See payment options and what to bring to register your vehicle on our Motor Vehicle registration page.

4. I purchased a vehicle or moved my vehicle from another state. What do I need to register my vehicle?

You will need a valid form of ID, the vehicle title, proof of Colorado auto insurance, a proof of an emissions test if applicable, an odometer disclosure, a bill of sale, and the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin OR a title that specifies the vehicle weight.

If you have a loan or lease on the vehicle, you also need to bring the security agreement.

You also need a cash, check, credit or debit card for payment of fees and taxes.

Finally, you also need a VIN verification completed by an authorized agent in Colorado. We can do this for you at our branches, weather permitting, for a fee of $12.

For more information, please see these requirements for Out-of-State Titles

5. Do I have to bring proof of insurance to register, renew or obtain a temporary registration?

Yes. Valid and current proof of auto insurance is required to register a vehicle in Colorado. We accept the following as proof of insurance:

-Valid insurance card (fax acceptable)
-Declaration page (fax acceptable)
-Binder/letter from an insurance company on company letterhead (fax acceptable)
-Electronic proof of insurance. This may be, but is not limited to, an insurer-provided electronic image/proof on applicant’s cellular phone, lap top, or other portable type of electronic device.

For more information, see a complete list of Registration Requirements

6. I renewed my vehicle registration online but did not receive my tabs in the mail. Can I get replacement tabs?

If you recently moved to a new address but did not specifically update your address on your motor vehicle registration, it is likely that your tabs were mailed to your old address.

Renewal postcards are forwardable, but registrations are not. If you updated your address with the U.S. Postal Service, your renewal postcard would have been forwarded to your new address. However, you did not file a change of address specifically with the County's Motor Vehicle Division, then your registration was sent to your old address.

Please come to one of our County offices to request replacement tabs and to file a change of address. We will void the original tabs. There is a cost of $2.37 for replacement tabs, which can be paid by cash, check or credit/debit card. See our locations and hours.

7. My registration receipt, validating stickers (tabs) and/or license plates were lost or stolen. What do I do?: Please visit any of our four motor vehicle office locations to request a replacement. Associated fees will be assessed. Please call us at 303-795-4500 to learn what you need to bring.

8. I just moved to Arapahoe County or within Arapahoe County. How can I change my address on my motor vehicle registration?

If you have moved to or within Arapahoe County, please update your address online at mydmv.colorado.gov. You will receive a new registration with your new address by mail.

You may also request an address change by calling our hotline at 303-795-4500, or visiting our any of our Motor Vehicle office locations. We can assist with address changes for Arapahoe County residents only.

Please note, if you already received your registration renewal postcard at your old address, it is too late to change your address in order to renew online. Instead, please return the renewal postcard with payment and write your new address in the field provided.

Please use these additional links to change your address on your Colorado Driver's License or ID card, and your Voter Registration.

9. Can I get a credit for registration fees already paid when I sell my vehicle and register a new one?: Please bring the current registration and bill of sale or invoice for the vehicle you sold or traded in to determine if a credit can be applied to your new registration.

10. Can I obtain a temporary registration instead of renewing a registration for a vehicle that I intend to sell?: No.

11. I just moved out of Arapahoe County. Do I still need to renew my vehicle in Arapahoe County?: No. Please contact the county where you now reside. See this list of Colorado counties.
motor vehicle office in your county

12. I just purchased a new car from a dealership and it is financed. What do I do now?: Our office will receive paperwork from the dealership and send you a Title Complete Card in the mail once we process your title application. To register your vehicle, please bring the Title Complete Card, proof of current insurance for the vehicle purchased, proof of emissions (if applicable), identification and the license plates or registration of plates your wish to transfer to any of our Motor Vehicle offices.
If you do not receive a Title Complete Card prior to your temporary registration expiring, please contact our office at 303-795-4500 for assistance.

13. How do I apply for a Persons with Disabilities parking placard or license plate?: Please see this information and requirements.

14. Can I renew my registration over the phone?: We do not process motor vehicle renewals over the phone.

15. Can I renew my registration online?: Yes! Renew your motor vehicle registration online at http://mydmv.colorado.gov. You will receive your printed registration and tabs in the mail.

16. What forms of payment do you accept?

Payment Options For Motor Vehicle Registration and Titles:

Our Motor Vehicle offices accept cash, check and money orders, debit cards and credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. Checks must be payable to Arapahoe County Clerk for the exact amount. We do not accept checks under $10.

Please note that credit and debit card transactions over $10 are subject to a convenience fee of $0.75 + 2.25% of the total amount. This fee is not assessed or retained by Arapahoe County. It is required by a third-party vendor for the State of Colorado.

17. How much did I pay in ownership tax?: Your registration receipt shows the amount you paid in Specific Ownership and Prior Specific Ownership Tax. Make sure you retain a copy of registration receipt for income tax purposes.

18. What is the sales tax rate for my address?: To see your sales tax rate, please enter your residential address at GeoTax.com

19. How do I determine the MSRP of my vehicle?: You will find this information on the paperwork from the dealership. If you do not have the original paperwork, you will need to contact an auto dealership and request the MSRP for your vehicle year, make, model and specific amenities. Arapahoe County cannot provide an MSRP in-person or over-the-phone.

20. How do I obtain a Certificate of Title for a vehicle I purchased if there is no Certificate of Title in existence?: Please contact our office for details at 303-795-4500

21. I am unable to locate my Colorado Certificate of Title. How do I obtain a duplicate title?: Please visit any of our motor vehicle office locations to apply for a duplicate title. Please see this web page for a list of documents that you must bring with you to apply. For additional information, please call us at 303-795-4500.

22. I am unable to locate my Certificate of Title that was issued in a different state.: Please contact the state of issuance for assistance.

23. Where should I mail my registration renewal?: Please mail your registration renewal, along with a check for payment, to Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder, PO Box 9011, Littleton, CO 80160-9011. Please write your vehicle license plate number on the memo line of your check.

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Clerk Motor Vehicle Titles

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1. How do I obtain a Certificate of Title for a vehicle I purchased if there is no Certificate of Title in existence?: Please contact our office for details at 303-795-4500.

2. I am unable to locate my Colorado Certificate of Title. How do I obtain a duplicate title?: Please visit any of our motor vehicle office locations to apply for a duplicate title. Please see this web page for a list of documents that you must bring with you to apply. For additional information, please call us at 303-795-4500. click here.

3. I am unable to locate my Certificate of Title that was issued in a different state.: Please contact the state of issuance for assistance.

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Coroner

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1. Are all deaths that occur in Arapahoe County reported to the Coroner’s Office?: No. Only certain deaths are required to be reported by Colorado Statute.

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County Conversations

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1. Why was the jail allowed to get in such bad condition?: The Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners and Sheriff’s Office have been working on this problem for several years. While the jail has been maintained the best it could be, the cost of maintenance has been eating away at the total dollars Arapahoe County has to invest in all its facilities. Over the last decade, the County had to spend 20% of its maintenance budget on just the two buildings (jail and courthouse) at the Justice Center. It has now reached the point where it no longer makes sense to continue pouring money into “band aid” fixes at the jail. There comes a time in the life of any facility when you have to face the fact that it no longer is big enough, structurally sound enough, or safe enough to serve its purpose.

2. How did the County come up with the cost estimates for a new jail?: The Board of County Commissioners authorized the development of a Master Plan for the Arapahoe County Justice Center in 2019. It was prepared by the independent firm of Reilly Johnson Architecture, which specializes in the planning and design of justice facilities, especially jails and courts. The Master Plan for the Arapahoe County Justice Center includes detailed design and construction requirements for the phases of the project, along with specific cost estimates.

3. The jail is 30 years old. That doesn’t seem all that old compared to my house. Why does it need replacing?: First, we’re simply running out of room. It was built to hold 386 inmates and now houses more than 1,100. Unlike a house, you just can’t “pop the top” and add new cells. The jail’s original design placed centralized facilities such as the laundry and kitchen in the center of the facility, so there is no way to expand those areas, creating real challenges. Second, the wear and tear on your house is nothing like the treatment a jail undergoes 24/7. And third, the jail's infrastructure--plumbing, sewage and electrical--can no longer handle the stress of the hundreds of additional occupants. So while 30 years may not seem old for a house, but in “jail years” it has far surpassed its useful life.

4. Arapahoe County has a lot of needs in addition to a new jail. For example, what is going to be done about traffic and the condition of our roads?: The County Commissioners are well aware that citizens are concerned about congestion and pavement condition. As we work toward a solution for the old jail, we are simultaneously looking for ideas and solutions to deal with traffic. The County is in the process of updating its transportation plan and establishing priorities for projects. In many ways, transportation is more complicated than the jail or court house. Transportation funding comes for a number of different sources, including federal and state, and projects often involve many different jurisdictions. But we are moving ahead with transportation and expect an updated plan to be available in 2020.

5. What is the Long Range Planning Committee?: The LRPC is a citizen-based committee created to provide input and recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on the County’s priorities –specifically the Justice Center and transportation. The committee consists of 25 residents, business leaders, and non-profit representatives and met throughout the summer. At its meeting on August 6, the committee initially recommended that the County replace the old jail with a safe, modern facility. The committee also recommended a small increase in the property tax to fund the improvement, recognizing the capital and ongoing costs are an expense that the current and projected County budget cannot absorb. The committee will continue to evaluate infrastructure needs including transportation and the courthouse.

6. Are my taxes going to go up?: Ultimately, that depends on you. The Board of County Commissioners will take into consideration any recommendations from the Long Range Planning Committee regarding funding. The Commission also will be looking for input from citizens. Comments can be sent to together@arapahoegov.com. If the Commission decides to place some sort of tax measure on the ballot, then voters of course will make the final decision.

7. What about school safety? Will the Sheriff’s Office and the Board of County Commissioners be addressing concerns about the safety of our students?: We live and work in Arapahoe County. Many of us have children who are attending or who have attended schools in the County. The Sheriff and the Board of County Commissioners agree that school safety is a critical need and we will be working together to do all we can to keep our schools safe. These are difficult discussions and hard decisions. They require coordination between all the school districts and cities and towns within the county. Your ideas are important to us as we move forward. We welcome your thoughts. Please send them to together@arapahoegov.com.

8. How are my property taxes used now?: The primary source of revenue for Arapahoe County is property tax. This revenue funds most of the county’s programs and services. Arapahoe County has some of the lowest property taxes in the state. And the County government keeps only about 15% of what it collects to provide County services and infrastructure. The rest goes to schools (57%), cities and towns (7%), and special districts like fire and water. (22%).

9. Why can’t you just renovate and repair the existing facility? Wouldn’t that cost less than a new jail?: Based on earlier proposals to renovate the old jail, we estimate it will cost nearly the same as building a new facility. That’s because all of the plumbing would have to be replaced, and most of the pipes are encased in concrete. All electrical would have to be replaced as well. There is also the problem of not being able to expand the current kitchen and laundry. Those facilities – designed for 386 inmates – are struggling to serve more than 1,100 today and they are “landlocked” – in a center hub surrounded by the housing pods. Also, any renovation would entail frequent movement of prisoners to accommodate construction and that creates safety problems. And after all that, if you don’t add new space in a new building, you still don’t have room to provide the necessary medical care, mental health and substance abuse programs for inmates to help reduce the number of repeat offenders.

10. How will a new jail help improve the safety in Arapahoe County?: The proposal for the new facility is part of a multi-step effort to make sure Arapahoe County spends taxpayer resources wisely while making public safety a priority. At any given time, some 40% of the inmates (450) are experiencing mental health issues. That’s more than the total number of inmates the jail was originally designed to hold. The old jail lacks space for dealing with mental health issues, alcohol and drug abuse, medical problems and programs to help reduce recidivism. All of these programs would be expanded and available with the new facility.

11. Arapahoe County has a lot of needs in addition to a new jail. For example, what is going to be done about traffic and the condition of our roads?: The Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners are well aware that citizens are concerned about congestion and pavement condition. As we work toward a solution for the old jail, we are simultaneously looking for ideas and solutions to deal with traffic. The County is in the process of updating its transportation plan and establishing priorities for projects. It will kick off a regional planning process through the Arapahoe County Transportation Forum to seek solutions and form a plan. In many ways, transportation is more complicated than the jail or courthouse. Transportation funding comes from a number of different sources, including federal and state, and projects often involve many different jurisdictions. But we are moving ahead with transportation and expect an updated plan to be available in 2020.

12. What else did the Long Range Planning Committee recommend?: The Committee supported expanding public safety programs, including programs that address mental health disorders and substance abuse; alternative sentencing programs to keep non-violent and first time offenders out of jail; and operating programs to reduce the likelihood of inmates re-offending when they reenter to community.

13. How much work has been done on the Justice Center project?: Design and construction would not begin unless a funding plan is approved and in place. The Board of County Commissioners requested staff develop a 10-year master plan for the judicial center – including the jail and courthouse – that was completed in January 2019. The plan provides the commissioners with a concept for how the Judicial Center campus could be structured to accommodate current needs and future growth. Conceptual design has been completed for the jail to provide initial cost and programming estimates.

14. Has polling been done?: A poll was conducted in 2018 to help determine how much citizens know about their county, how they feel about the level of county services, preferred methods of communication, and how they view the quality of life in Arapahoe County overall. A second poll was conducted in July 2019 to provide additional input from citizens concerning the Justice Center complex and to gauge citizen reaction to various methods to finance future improvements to the facilities at the complex.

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Detention Facility - Inmate Visitation

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1. Can I visit more than once a day?: No. In order to accommodate all visitors, you will not be allowed to visit more than once per day. Also, you will not be allowed to visit more than one inmate per day.

2. How early should I arrive for my visit?: Do not arrive more than 15 minutes prior to your scheduled visit.

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Emergency Notification Alerts

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1. Will my information be sold or distributed?: No. All of the information you enter will feed directly into the Target Notification systems secure database. This information can only be accessed by system administrators and the data will never be sold or distributed to third parties.

2. When will I receive phone calls?: You will receive phone calls when the system is activated and your address is within the geographic area chosen to receive the notification message. The system will only be activated for emergency purposes.

3. What do I do if I move?: If you move after you have entered your information into the web site you will need to go back into the web site and re-enter your information with your new address.

4. Can I add my landline telephone number?: Yes. You can enter your landline phone number into the Opt-In web site. If your landline phone number is already in the database, the data you enter into the site will NOT overwrite the existing information for your landline telephone number. If your landline phone number is not already in the database, then the new information will be entered into the database.

5. Will I be solicited in any way at the phone number that I enter?: No. You will only receive phone calls when the system is activated and your address is within the geographic notification area chosen. The system will only be activated for emergency purposes.

6. If I am in a location that is different than the address that I enter into the web site for my wireless phone, will I still be contacted if an emergency affects the address entered?: Yes. No matter where you are physically located, you will only receive calls for emergencies that affect the address entered into the web site. So if you are on vacation in a different state you will still receive a phone call if the address you entered is affected by an emergency.

7. Are there any fees associated with target notification?: There are no fees to create an account with target notification, regardless of the number of phones and VOIPs that you enter. However, the system’s calls to cell phones will be deducted from your cell phone plan's minutes, just as any other incoming call. The cost of the service is provided by fees paid to the different county authorities.

8. Is the target notification system able to assist individuals that are deaf or hard of hearing?: The notification system does have TTD capabilities to assist those individuals.

9. Can I select the types of emergency situations that I want to be include in the target notification and exclude others (i.e. wildland evacuations but not Amber Alerts)?: No. Numbers registered with target notification will receive all messages impacting their area.

10. If I have a "blocked" phone, will this impact target notification?: Yes. You will not receive the notification call with a blocked telephone line.

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Engineering Services Division

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1. How long will my review take?: The Engineering Service Division’s goal is to complete all reviews as quickly as possible, primarily on a first come first serve basis, however in periods of high workloads reviews may take up to 3 weeks.

2. When do you need a grading (GESC) permit?: A GESC permit is required for any land disturbance that exceeds 5,000 square feet.

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Human Services - Child Support - Child Support Orders with Parents in Different States

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1. How is child support established or enforced if the non-custodial parent lives in another state?: Arapahoe County Child Support Services works cooperatively with child support offices in other states and countries (not all countries, please check our office first) to establish and/or enforce child support orders. However, Child Support Services must rely on the other state’s and/or country's laws and procedures to establish and/or enforce the orders.

2. Why does Arapahoe County Child Support Services need to send my case to the other state?: In most circumstances, Colorado must have personal jurisdiction over a person (meaning the person must reside in Colorado) in order to establish a child support order or enforce an existing order. Therefore, we send these cases to the state in which the non-custodial parent resides, as the other state will have additional authority to establish and/or enforce an order.

3. How long will it take for the other state to establish a child support order?: It can take 3 to 6 months for the other state to open its case. From that time, it can take on average 6 to 12 months to establish an order, depending on the process used by the other state. The order may be established administratively by that state’s child support enforcement office or judicially by its courts.

4. What if a hearing is scheduled with the court in the other state?: The custodial parent may or may not be asked to participate in scheduled hearings, but will never be required to travel to the other state. If asked to participate, you may request to do so by phone.

5. Who should I call if the case is being enforced through another state?: You should continue to contact Arapahoe County Child Support Services for status updates or to provide information pertinent to your case, rather than the other state.

6. How often can Arapahoe County Child Support Services contact the other state for the status of my case?: We can contact the other state for status if it has been at least 60 days since the last update from the other state. We generally allow 30 days for another state to respond before following up.

7. What happens if the non-custodial parent keeps moving to avoid paying child support?: It is very difficult to enforce child support orders when the non-custodial parent moves frequently to avoid responsibility. You can help our office by keeping us informed whenever you learn of new address or employment information for the non-custodial parent.

8. Will child support payments be paid to the custodial parent by Colorado or by the other state?: The other state will collect the payment and it will be sent to the custodial parent through Colorado’s Family Support Registry.

9. Can the custodial parent learn how child support payments are being made?: The other state will take action to collect payments on your case, but the source of the payment (such as wage withholding, unemployment benefits or a financial institution) is not provided to our office. We will not contact the other state to find out a specific source of a payment. You may find out the amount or date of a payment by contacting Colorado’s Family Support Registry at 303-299-9123.

10. How long will it take for my order to be reviewed after requesting a modification?: The timeframe for a modification review will vary with each case. Arapahoe County Child Support Services must know the whereabouts of each party and decide whether Colorado or another state is the appropriate place to proceed with a review. You can contact our customer service team for more information specific to your case.

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Human Services - Child Support - Custodial Parent

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1. How can I apply for services to establish, enforce or modify my child support order?: You can call the Child Support Enforcement Division at 303-752-8900 to request that an application be mailed to you, visit our office and request an application or apply online at www.childsupport@state.co.us. If you do not have access to the Internet but would like to apply online, please visit our office to apply using a free computer kiosk.

2. Is there a charge for child support services?: There is a $20 application fee, payable by cash, check or money order. There is no fee requirement if you are receiving cash assistance through the Colorado Works program.

3. What happens after I submit my application?: The Child Support Enforcement Division will enter your application and the non-custodial parent’s information into the child support computer system within 20 days of receiving your application and $20 fee, if applicable. You will receive notice in the mail when your case is initiated. Your case will then be referred to the appropriate Case Specialist, who will determine the next best action.

4. Are there any other fees for services?: Federal and state law require all states to collect an annual $25 fee from the custodial parent for cases in which the custodial parent has never received cash assistance benefits in any state, and has received at least $500 in child support payments during the federal fiscal year (October 1 -September 30). The fee is deducted from the child support payment, but the non-custodial parent still receives full credit for the payment.

5. When will I begin receiving my child support payments?: If you already had a child support order when you applied, your Case Specialist will review your case to determine where the non-custodial parent is located and what action is needed to ensure you receive your child support. If the non-custodial parent is employed, your Case Specialist will send an income withholding order to the employer, which will ensure quicker receipt of your child support. If you do not have a child support order yet, it will take longer to establish the order.

6. How will I receive my child support payments?: Child support payments are processed through the Family Support Registry. There are several ways to receive your payment, including direct deposit to your bank account, an FSR Card that works like a debit card or a check mailed to you. Please contact the Family Support Registry at 303-299-9123 for more information and the necessary forms for your preferred method of payment.

7. What if the non-custodial parent lives in another state?: The Child Support Enforcement Division will review your case to determine if Colorado has legal authority over the non-custodial parent to establish, modify or enforce a child support order. If Colorado does not have legal authority, your Case Specialist will request assistance from the state in which the non-custodial parent resides. The timeframes for processing cases often are longer than when both parents reside in the same state.

8. What if I don’t know where the non-custodial parent lives?: The Child Support Enforcement Division will use all available resources to locate a non-custodial parent. You can help by giving as much information about the non-custodial parent as possible to your Case Specialist and by updating your Case Specialist when you find out any information regarding his or her whereabouts.

9. Do I have to close my case if I move to another state?: No, you may still keep your case open and we will continue to provide child support services; however, it is important that you keep your Case Specialist updated with any change of address.

10. What if I want to close my case?: As long as you are not receiving cash assistance benefits through the Colorado Works program or daycare assistance through the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, you can close your case by sending a written request to your Case Specialist. Child support enforcement services are required when the custodial parent is receiving assistance benefits from the Colorado Works and Low-Income Child Care Assistance Programs.

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Human Services - Child Support - Enforcing Child Support Orders

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1. What happens if a parent fails to pay child support?: Child Support Enforcement has a variety of options for enforcing child support orders. These may include: issuing an income withholding order; suspending a driver’s license; garnishing bank accounts; intercepting tax refunds; withholding unemployment benefits and workers’ compensation benefits; placing liens on personal and real properties; reporting past due balances to credit agencies; suspending professional, occupational, and recreational licenses; passport denial; contempt proceedings; or sending a request for action to the state where a non-custodial parent resides for establishment, enforcement or modification of a child support order.

2. Where do I pay my child support?: If you do not have an income withholding
order in place, you must make your payments to the Family Support Registry at P.O. Box 2171, Denver, CO 80201. You can authorize a recurring automatic withdrawal from your bank account, pay by phone or pay through Western Union. Please contact the Family Support Registry at 303-299-9123 for more information regarding payment options.

3. If either parent becomes unemployed or experiences income loss, what can be done to change the support amount?: Child Support Enforcement can review the
order and both parents’ current circumstances to determine if the support amount should be
re-calculated. An order may only be modified
if the re-calculation using child support guidelines results in a change of at least 10% up or down in the amount of support. Any non-custodial parent can access no-cost employment assistance through our Parents to Work program. Please ask your Case Specialist for more information. Both parents will receive a notice of their right to a review once the order is three years old and every three years thereafter.

4. When would a tax refund be intercepted to pay for child support?: A state tax refund may be intercepted to apply toward current support that has not yet been paid in the month that the refund is issued. A federal tax refund may be intercepted to apply to any past-due child support.

5. Are child support payments reported to credit bureaus?: If a child support obligation is in arrears of at least $500 and payments are 60 days past due, your child support accounts will be reported to the credit reporting agencies. You will receive a notice in the mail at least 30 days before the account is reported to the credit reporting agencies so that you can become current and avoid the referral; therefore, it is important to keep your child support specialist updated with your current address. The credit agencies and are updated monthly and include payments made, which may improve the credit rating.

6. Will a driver’s or occupational license be suspended even if the parent has paid some child support?: Child Support Enforcement has the authority to suspend driver’s licenses and occupational licenses of individuals who are past due in their child support obligations. However, ample notice and opportunity to make payment arrangements is provided well in advance of the suspension.

7. If a child has legally emancipated or is no longer living at home, is the order automatically reduced?: Most child support orders contain a fixed amount for all of the children, which is due until the youngest child emancipates. Please contact your Case Specialist for more information and to discuss your specific situation.

8. If the non-custodial parent does not get regular visits with the child, does he/she still have to pay child support?: Child support and visitation are two separate matters. Regardless of visitation, a non-custodial parent must continue to provide the child with financial support. Child Support Enforcement cannot address visitation or custody issues and cannot provide legal advice. Parents may seek legal advice from an attorney. Please also ask your Case Specialist for information on low or no-cost mediation services that may be available.

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Human Services - Child Support - Establishing a Child or Medical Support Order

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1. How is a child support amount determined?: Colorado uses a formula that is based upon both parents’ gross income as well as the number of overnights the child spends in each of the parent’s homes. The formula also considers certain expenses related to the child, such as health insurance and daycare expenses. It does not consider the income of step-parents or partners. These guidelines and detailed instructions are available at www.courts.co.us.

2. How can Child Support Services help to determine a child support obligation?: Child Support Services can arrange a negotiation conference to review financial information for both parents. We will send both parties a financial affidavit prior to the conference and require supporting documents such as pay stubs. During the conference, we will work to calculate the recommended monthly child support obligation using the child support guidelines.

3. How will Child Support Services help to establish the child support order?: If both parents agree on the amount established during the negotiation conference, Child Support Services will enter an administrative order. If either party does not agree on the amount, we will establish a temporary order and schedule a court hearing, where a magistrate will decide the final amount based on child support guidelines.

4. What if one or both parents have a low income?: If the combined monthly income of both parents or of just the non-custodial parent is $850 or less, a child support order of $50 per month is entered. If a parent has a monthly gross income of $1,850 or less, a low-income adjustment is applied in the formula to determine the amount.

5. How does a non-custodial parent pay child support?: Child support payments must be processed through the Family Support Registry. Non-custodial parents should not pay custodial parents directly. The non-custodial parent may choose to set up a Recurring Automatic Withdrawal through the Family Support Registry; or, if he/she is employed, the child support specialist will send an income assignment to the employer, which requires the employer to withhold the support amount from each paycheck.

6. What is the Family Support Registry?: The Family Support Registry is the agency responsible for receiving and disbursing child support payments and maintaining payment records. The mailing address for the Family Support Registry is P.O. Box 2171, Denver, CO, 80202. The telephone number is 303-299-9123. Please ensure that you note your FSR account number on your check or money order.

7. How will a non-custodial parent know how much the employer will withhold?: The withholding amount is based upon the pay cycle. An employer will provide the non-custodial parent with a copy of the income assignment, which is specific to his/her situation.

8. How long will a non-custodial parent pay child support?: If the order was established in Colorado, it lasts until the child reaches age 19. If your child is still in high school when he/she turns 19, it is your duty to provide support until the month after graduation. If you are paying support for more than one child, please refer to your order. Most child support orders contain a fixed amount for all of the children, which is due until the youngest child emancipates. If your order was issued in another state, please refer to that state’s law, as age of emancipation may differ.

9. What if either parent’s circumstances change?: If your income, daycare expenses, health insurance benefits for the child or the number of overnights change, you can request that Child Support Services review your current circumstances to determine if the support amount should be re-calculated. An order may only be modified if the re-calculation using the child support guidelines shows a change of at least 10% up or down in the amount of support. Please visit www.childsupport.state.co.us for more information as well as the forms required to request a review of your current support order.

10. Is child support withheld from Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)?: Yes, child support is withheld from SSDI benefits; however, if your child is receiving a portion of your SSDI benefit from the Social Security Administration, please inform your case specialist immediately. The child support specialist may re-calculate the support and reduce the amount of child support by the amount of the portion of the benefit your child is receiving.

11. When is a parent ordered to provide health insurance?: Most child support orders state that medical insurance be provided if available at a reasonable cost to the parent, which is defined as 20% of the parent’s gross monthly income. The parent who is paying for the health insurance premium for the child is entitled to credit for the amount of the premium on the child support guidelines.

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Human Services - Child Support - Establishing Paternity

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1. Why is establishing paternity important?: Children need and deserve financial and medical support from both parents, and have a right to know the identity of their mother and father. A child also has the right to know if any hereditary diseases or medical conditions exist. Finally, a child could qualify for any disability or survivor benefits if a biological parent becomes disabled or passes away. Paternity is required to establish a child support order.

2. How is paternity established?: Both parents can sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity at the hospital when a child is born or anytime thereafter. If a child doesn’t have a father listed on his/her birth certificate, Child Support Services can establish paternity with a signed Admission of Paternity from the father or confirm paternity by genetic testing.

3. How is paternity determined through genetic testing?: Child Support Services can determine parentage by taking a DNA sample from the mother, child and presumed father. A certified technician will take samples of each individual’s cheek cells along the inner mouth using a cotton swab. The samples are sent to an accredited lab for genetic testing. Results are typically available within 3 weeks. An individual is determined to be the biological father if genetic testing results indicate a DNA match of 97% or greater.

4. What is the cost of the genetic testing?: The cost range is $24 - $32 per person. The cost of the test is subject to change.

5. What if genetic testing indicates that an individual is not a child’s biological father?: If the genetic test results indicate the individual is not the biological father, he will not be responsible for the cost of genetic testing and may be dismissed from involvement in the case.

6. What if genetic testing indicates that an individual is a child’s biological father?: If the genetic test results indicate the individual is the biological father, he will be responsible for the entire cost of genetic testing for all parties and for child support. Child Support Services will work with both parents to determine and ensure that a fair amount of child support is ordered.

7. What happens if the individual declines genetic testing?: Genetic testing is not mandatory, but is highly encouraged. An individual who refuses genetic testing may be served with legal notice to appear for a negotiation conference or court hearing to determine child support. If he fails to cooperate or appear, Child Support Services can establish paternity and a child support order by default. The individual will no longer have the option of going through Child Support Services to establish paternity, and would need to pursue private legal action to obtain genetic testing and impact the child support order.

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Human Services - Child Support - Modifying a Child Support or Medical Support Order

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1. When can a modification be requested?: Either party can request a review of their child support. There are some cases where Child Support Services will start a review. Child support orders should be reviewed at least every thirty-six (36) months. Colorado requires there be at least a 10% change in the amount of current child support obligation in order for a modification review to proceed. If a review is done and the 10% threshold is not met, the modification review will be terminated.
In order to have a review in less than 36 months since the last review, a continuing and substantial change in circumstance must be shown. A brief explanation of the continuing change and any proof of the change has to be provided with the written request for review. If no change or proof is provided, the request may be denied or more information may be requested.

2. How long will the modification review process take?: It can take three to six months to complete a modification review depending on the parties’ ability to agree on the changes and whether or not the review goes to hearing before a Judge or Magistrate.

3. What happens after request a modification?: A modification specialist will review the request and will contact the requesting party if more information is needed. If the reason for the modification request is sufficient, a settlement conference with both parties at the Child Support Services office may be scheduled.

4. How does a modification take place?

A Stipulation for Modification or an Administrative Order may be done if the parties agree.

If an agreement cannot be reached, a Motion to Modify Child Support may be filed with the Court by Child Support Services. Note that this does not mean an automatic court appearance. Once the motion is filed, if no objection is received within 15 days, the Court may grant the Motion to Modify Child Support.

With any court filing, a copy must be provided to Child Support Services and the other party. If an objection is filed in a timely manner, the Court may request a hearing.

5. What if the review is denied or terminated?: Another request can be submitted, but a completed financial affidavit with all attachments must be submitted with the written request for review.

6. What if one parent is self employed?: Self-employed individuals are required to submit at least two years of filed Federal Income Tax returns with all schedules and attachments along with the Financial Affidavit.

7. What if I pay for medical coverage for the child(ren)?: If you are paying for medical coverage for your child(ren), you must submit proof of the insurance cost along with premium payments with your financial information.Only the costs for the child(ren) on the child support order will be counted in the guideline calculation. You must also provide proof of the coverage (i.e., a document from your HR or insurance company with a list of the covered individuals).

8. What happens if there is a change in overnights?: Overnight visitation may affect the child support obligation. If an agreement on the number of overnights is not reached, the matter may be brought to the Court for determination.

9. Does the modification consider step-children or other children in the household?: Any child who is a step-child to one parent will not be used on the worksheet. A party can receive credit for a biological or adopted child not from this relationship who is living in the party’s household. Be sure to bring proof of responsibility, such as an adoption order or a birth certificate.

10. What about the child support I am paying for another child?: If the child support is court-ordered and the person ordered to pay is current on the obligation, then that party may receive credit on the child support worksheet for that obligation. If the paying party is paying an arrears amount plus the monthly support obligation, only the monthly support obligation would count as child support. Arrears are not a current obligation and are not included on the worksheet. Bring proof of your payments along with a copy of the child support order for that child.

11. What about arrears (unpaid child support)?: Arrears will not be addressed during the child support review settlement conference. The review settlement conference will only discuss current support. Once the settlement conference is complete, help with arrears can be found.

12. I don’t get to see my child(ren) or use my visitation rights; why should I have to pay?: Child Support Services only has authority to deal with child support, back due child support, paternity and medical support issues. Both parents are responsible for the financial support and parenting time or visitation of the minor child(ren).

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Main

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1. How do I contact a city/county department?: Visit the Staff Directory to find all department and staff contact information.

2. Where can I find the answers to my frequently asked questions?: Use the FAQs module to easily find answers to the questions you ask the most.

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Mapping

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1. What jurisdiction is this address in?: You can use the Address / Parcel Info Application to locate an address in Arapahoe County and view jurisdictional information as well as political, district, taxation and geographic information about that property. You can optionally use our Urban Area or Rural Area pdf Maps for jurisdiction boundary information.

2. Is this location in a flood zone?: You can purchase a copy of the FEMA map for your area from the Arapahoe County Mapping Office, however, the County does not make flood zone determinations. The best source for this information is the FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency Map Service

3. Will the County survey my property to determine my property lines?: No, Arapahoe County does not provide or make recommendations for surveying services.

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Marijuana Land Use Regulations

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1. What are the rules for Medical and Recreational Marijuana in Arapahoe County?: The Arapahoe County Land Development Code, Chapter 12, Section 12-1800, regulates Marijuana Land Uses. The County also has an Ordinance 2013-1 prohibiting commercial marijuana activities and establishments.

2. Do these regulations apply to all of Arapahoe County?: No, these regulations apply only to the unincorporated areas of Arapahoe County.

3. Where can I find regulations for incorporated cities and towns in Arapahoe County?: You can find links to all incorporated cities through our website. But, we've provided links to marijuana regulations for our largest communities: City of Aurora / City of Centennial / City of Littleton / City of Greenwood Village / City of Englewood

4. Are medical marijuana dispensaries allowed in the county?: The County has four legally-established medical marijuana dispensaries. These dispensaries were open and doing business prior to the County’s adoption of the provisions of the Land Development Code prohibiting the operation of commercial medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated areas. County regulations prohibit any new medical marijuana dispensaries.

5. Can I use marijuana in my yard or on my deck?: It is a criminal offense under state law to “openly and publicly” display, consume, or use marijuana. If the amount is two ounces or less this is a petty offense.

6. If I had an existing grow prior to these regulations, am I grandfathered in?: No, these regulations are retroactive and all properties in unincorporated Arapahoe County must be in compliance.
All marijuana land uses are subject to all restrictions contained within this Section 12-1800, including those uses that were in existence prior to the adoption of this Section 12-1800.

7. What about growing medical marijuana for personal use (or, if I am a caregiver for others, for a patients’ use)?: It doesn’t matter whether the marijuana is for recreational or medical purposes; the rules are the same:

May only be conducted within a dwelling unit (and not on a porch or within a shed, greenhouse or other such structure),

By a person residing at the dwelling unit,

For such person’s own use or by a primary caregiver on behalf of a patient who resides at the same dwelling unit as the primary caregiver;

However, in no event shall more than six plants, with three or fewer being mature flowering plants, be grown or cultivated at any one time by each person or primary caregiver residing at such dwelling unit, up to a maximum of 12 plants total per dwelling unit.

8. Are there any other special requirements for growing marijuana in my house?: If you need to add or modify electrical wiring, lighting, plumbing from your water line, plumbing to your sewer line for drainage, ventilation to the inside or outside of your home, or remodeling to add walls or otherwise modify the spaces in your home for growing marijuana, you will need appropriate building, electrical, plumbing and/or HVAC permits from the Building Division of Public Works and Development. Odors from growing marijuana in your home must not be discernable beyond your property line.

9. Are there regulations other than County regulations I need to know?: You are responsible for knowing your rights and limitations for marijuana use and the growing of marijuana under the Colorado State Constitution and any applicable regulations of the Colorado Revised Statutes. Where Arapahoe County regulations are more restrictive than State of Colorado regulations, you must comply with Arapahoe County regulations. Your Homeowners’ or Neighborhood Association also may have restrictions that apply to your home. These restrictions are enforced privately and not by the County.

10. How do I report a complaint or suspected violation?: The Zoning Office of the Public Works and Development Department enforces zoning restrictions for the Arapahoe County Land Development Code within the unincorporated areas of the county. The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office enforces criminal violations.

11. Where can I get safety information, such as storing marijuana and/or marijuana edibles in a household with children or pets or for my own use?: The State of Colorado offers a great website that provides information on marijuana laws and practices. Visit Good To Know to learn more about what you may or may not know about marijuana use in Colorado. Tri-County Health Department also offers helpful resources.

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Oil and Gas

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1. What has Arapahoe County done to address oil and gas operations within the County?

Under State rules, Arapahoe County has the authority to address land-use impacts within its jurisdiction. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has regulatory authority over oil and gas drilling and production, including setbacks from residential properties. The County continues to work on local land-use concerns with the COGCC and with oil and gas operators, which include traffic, emergency response planning, use and maintenance of public roads, access road construction standards, access permits for oversized/overweight vehicles, soil erosion, weed control and floodplain encroachment, to protect the community and environment through the following avenues:

Worked with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), an agency managed by the State of Colorado, as well as oil and gas companies to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that allows for increased oversight of local land-use issues such as: traffic, emergency response planning, additional water testing, use of pits, and inspection of permitted oil and gas operations.
Continue to work on county-specific land use issues such as; transportation plans, roadway infrastructure, grading / erosion / sediment control, building and access permits, notification requirements, etc.
Use the COGCC’s Local Government Designee process and the County’s Use by Special Review process to address county-specific concerns for each permit application filed with the COGCC.

2. What is fracking and how can I learn more?: Hydraulic fracturing or fracking has been used by the oil and gas industry since the 1940s. The Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, managed by the State of Colorado, is a great resource for detailed information about fracking, why it’s done, how it’s regulated and more.
Visit the following links to learn more: Animation of Hydraulic Fracturing and http://cogcc.state.co.us/Announcements/Hot_Topics/

3. Can Arapahoe County prohibit drilling or fracking within the County?: No. Arapahoe County does not have the authority to regulate or ban oil and gas drilling or fracking. Drilling and fracking are regulated by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

4. Can Arapahoe County prohibit fracking within the county or control what is used in fracking fluid?: No. Arapahoe County does not have the authority to regulate or prohibit fracking. Fracking and fracking fluids are regulated by the COGCC.

5. Who issues oil and gas exploration permits?: Oil and gas drilling permits are issued by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Additionally, either a “Use by Special Review” land use permit or an Administrative Oil & Gas Use by Special Review land use permit is also required from the County before an operator can begin oil and gas drilling or installation of facilities.

6. If I have questions or concerns, what can I do?: If you have questions or concerns about County land-use regulations (such as noise, setbacks, roads, and other environmental issues within Arapahoe County), please call 720-874-6751 to learn more about the County’s role with oil and gas regulations.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oil and gas drilling or fracking, please contact the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission at 303-894-2100 or visit http://cogcc.state.co.us

If you have concerns that your water well has been or could be affected by oil and gas drilling or fracking, please contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at 303-692-3500 or Tri-County Health Department at 720-200-1670. You can also contact Diane Kocis, Arapahoe County Oil & Gas Specialist at 720-874-6751.

7. A representative from an oil and gas company recently approached me with an interest in buying or leasing land or mineral rights to my property. Who can I talk to if I have questions about my rights?: The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission may be able to provide you with more information about your rights as a property/mineral rights owner. In addition, you may want to contact a real estate attorney that specializes in this subject matter.

8. How do I know if I own the mineral rights on my land?: Due to the complexity of evaluating mineral rights ownership, the best way to determine your interests would be to contact a title company or a real estate attorney experienced in this subject matter.

9. Are there any public documents I could obtain that relate to my property?: You can obtain title documents (deeds, easements, etc.) from the Arapahoe County Clerk & Recorder’s Office, Assessor’s Office and/or the Treasurer’s Office located in the Administration Building, 5334 S. Prince St., Littleton, CO. By law, Arapahoe County employees are not allowed to give an assessment of your ownership rights or provide legal advice. Employees can only provide you with public documents and information.

10. How do I find a real estate attorney?: To locate an attorney in your area, call the Colorado Bar Association at 303-860-1115 or visit

11. Who do we contact for more information?

For information on state drilling and fracking regulations, contact the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission at 303-894-2100 or online at http://cogcc.state.co.us/

For information about Oil and Gas operations in Arapahoe County visit www.arapahoegov.com and click on Departments, then click on Public Works and Development and then “Oil and Gas”

For additional resources refer to the following list:

Dig Safely Program Utility Notification Center of Colorado 1-800-922-1987 UNCC website
Geological Maps and Publications Colorado Geological Survey (303) 866-2611
Water Well Records Colorado Division of Water Resources (303) 866-3581
Water Quality and Testing and Tri-County Health Department (303) 220-9200
How to Disinfect a Water Well http://www.tchd.org/water.htm
A Guide to Local Governments Colorado Department of Local Affairs (303) 866-2156

12. Flares: While some residents are concerned about flares at oil and gas facilities, flares are actually good to have. They are primarily a safety feature because the shale oil formation (the Niobrara Shale) flows unevenly into the wellbore, releasing slugs of gas that could be a safety issue if too much gas escaped at the wellhead. Flares are always on, like the pilot light on your water heater, so that if excess gas is coming up the wellbore, it is burned at the flare, releasing CO2 and water vapor.

13. State powers vs. County Powers for Oil & Gas Operations: The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) has the vast majority of regulatory power over oil and gas operations. The state health department (CDPHE) regulates air emissions from oil and gas facilities. The County has limited powers concerning oil and gas operations, specifically: traffic, use and maintenance of County roads, access road construction standards, emergency response planning, floodplain encroachment, and erosion and weed control.

14. Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) instructions on how to comment on a Form 2A application: The COGCC Form 2A is the application form for oil and gas companies to build a well pad. Local Governments have no authority for the wells, but local governments and citizens do have some powers regarding the location (within state setbacks) and construction of well pads, regarding traffic, emergency response training. For help with the input of comments on COGCC permit applications go to cogcc.state.co.us and click on “Help” under Quick Links. Then under “Website Help” the first bullet is a line to a COGCC document that outlines the steps for commenting on a COGCC pending application. Be sure to access the permits and insert comments through Internet Explorer. The comment option does not work in Google Chrome. COGCC How to Make Public Comment

15. Questions about State rules for Oil & Gas. Property Owner Rights or Fracking: For questions about Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) regulations, property owner rights, or fracking, contact COGCC at http://cogcc.state.co.us/ . You can also call the COGCC 303-894-2100 (main line) or speak directly to Marc Morton, Local Government Liaison, at 303-894-2100, extension 5132.

16. Domestic Water Well Quality: If you live within ½ mile of an oil and gas well and believe your water quality is being impacted by an oil and gas well, please contact Diane Kocis at 720-874-6751 so that she can request that your water well be sampled by the COGCC, at no expense to you. For questions about your water well water quality (color, odor, or suspected contamination) contact Tri-County Health Department and see their brochure on how to disinfect your water well. Most of the issues homeowners have with the water wells are the result of lack of disinfection. Here is a link to that brochure: Tri-County Health Brochure

17. Domestic Water Well Water Levels: The water level in your water well may be lower in recent years due to an increasing number of water users along the Front Range of Colorado. As more homes are built and more users are starting to take more of the water appropriated to them by the water court, many residents are noticing that their water well water levels are lower than they used to be.

18. State Land Board Oil & Gas Well Concerns: For questions and concerns about oil and gas wells on State Land Board property, please contact the State Land Board commissioners. State Land Board commissioners website

19. Oil & Gas Horizontal Wells – Where do they go?: Directionals (aka the horizontal legs of wells) are all east-west in Arapahoe County. To date there are no directional wells that extend under neighborhoods in unincorporated Arapahoe County; however, it is entirely safe to drill at depths exceeding 7,000 feet under homes. These wells are really deep and the 5 to 7 inch diameter hole at that depth doesn’t create enough of a void to create seismic shifts. It’s also important to remember that the hole (void) is mostly filled with casing, cement and production tubing. There have been no incidents nation-wide where anyone has documented any extremely small or any size seismic shift from installation of a horizontal well, therefore it is completely safe for horizontal wells to be drilled over a mile below homes and other buildings.

20. Setbacks: The COGCC setback rule from occupied structures is 500 feet. Currently there are no setbacks required between new homes and preexisting oil and gas facilities.

21. For comments and concerns on oil & gas wells within the boundaries of Aurora: Please contact Aurora’s Planning Department regarding oil and gas wells within Aurora’s Jurisdiction. City of Aurora's website

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Open Spaces

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1. How do I reserve a park facility?: Currently, the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds Park and Event Center is available to rent for your next event. Call 303-795-4955 or visit the Fairgrounds Event Center webpage for more information. Dove Valley Regional Park has picnic pavilions and athletic fields for rent. This facility is owned by Arapahoe County but maintained and programmed through the City of Aurora. To reserve facilities at Dove Valley Regional Park, please contact the City of Aurora at 303-739-7160.
City of Aurora

2. Is the Fairgrounds Event Center available to rent?: Yes, the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds Event Center is available to rent. Please visit the Fairgrounds Event Center webpage for more information and to contact us about your future event. Learn more at www.arapahoecountyeventcenter.com.

3. How can I get information about the annual Punkin' Chunkin' event?: The City of Aurora sponsors the Punkin' Chunkin' event each year. Please visit their web site at www.auroragov.org for more information on this fun annual event.

4. Is photography allowed at the 17 Mile House Farm Park?

Yes, photography of a non-commercial nature is allowed at the 17 Mile House Farm Park. Please respect the following rules:

Please stay on the paths to protect the landscape.
Vehicles, trailers, horses or large props are not permitted.
Dogs are allowed but must remain on a leash.
Please dispose of trash properly.
We cannot block access to the general public.

5. Can I rent out the 17 Mile House for my wedding or other large event?: We are not currently renting out the 17 Mile House or grounds for private weddings or events. The County does host monthly open house tours, please see the 17 Mile House web page for more information. Learn more here.

6. I'm interested in donating or selling my property for use as an open space or park. How do I get more information?: Please contact us at 720-874-6540.

7. How can I get more information on the Arapahoe County's Open Space sales and use tax?: Please visit the Open Spaces home page and click on the "About Us" section, then click on Funding for more information regarding the Open Space Sales and Use Tax. Specific tax information for businesses can be found on the County Finance department page.

8. I have antiques I'd like to donate to the 17 Mile House Farm Park. How can I get more information?: Please contact Bill Bauer at 720-874-6555.

9. What public events are offered by Open Spaces department?: Please visit the Open Spaces Events page for more information about current Open Spaces events. Open Spaces hosts the Arapahoe County Fair annually in July.

10. How can I get more information about the Open Space and Trails Advisory Board (OSTAB)?: Please visit the Boards and Committees page and click on the view vacancies link for more information about OSTAB and what, if any, vacancies are available. You can also contact Lindsey Miller at 720-874-6724 for more information.

11. How is the Open Spaces Program funded?: The Open Spaces program is funded by a 2003 voter-approved 0.25 percent sales and use tax. In 2011, the tax was extended by Arapahoe County voters to 2023. Please visit the Open Spaces home page and click on the "About Us" section and then funding for more information.

12. Is firewood collecting allowed on open space properties?: Please contact Bill Bauer at 720-874-6555.

13. Which County open space properties and parks are open to public access?: The following parks and open space properties are currently open to the public: 17 Mile House Farm Park, Cherry Creek Valley Ecological Park, Cheyenne/Arapaho Park, Fairgrounds Park, Richmil Ranch Open Space, and Welch Park. Please visit the Open Spaces home page and click on Places to Go for park-specific information.

14. What is open space?: An area of land and/or water that is owned or used for one or more of the following public purposes: to protect undeveloped or natural areas; to protect farmlands or ranchlands; to preserve viewsheds, vistas or ridgelines; to protect wildlife habitat or movement corridors; to provide for outdoor recreation, trails or access to public lands; to protect designated heritage sites; to preserve water quality; to protect rivers, creeks or lakes; to restore disturbed or degraded landscape; and, to create landscape buffers to maintain community identity and character.

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Public Trustee

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1. How can I stop the foreclosure process?: You can stop the foreclosure process by "curing" the delinquent amount and any interest and fees accrued. You must file a Notice of Intent to Cure with the Public Trustee.

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Records Section FAQ's

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1. What are your fees?: See our Collection of Service Fees page for more information.
Collection of Service Fees

2. What can be accepted for payment?: We accept cash, check or money order made payable to the Arapahoe County County Sheriff's Office. We can also accept credit or debit cards (excluding American Express).

3. What kind of records does the Records Section maintain?: Criminal justice records pertaining to cases and bookings.

4. Does the Records Section maintain or have court dispositions?: No, you will need to contact the clerk of the court to receive that information.

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Road Maintenance

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1. Why are residential streets not plowed?: View the plowing priority system page for an explanation.

2. What can I do to help alleviate my ice problem?: Shovel or snow-blow the snow into your yard or behind the sidewalk. Never place this snow in the gutter or street. Clear your driveway and sidewalk as soon after the storm as possible. Remove snow at the very end of your driveway at least 6 feet beyond each edge of the driveway and even into the street. Keep large trees and shrubs adequately trimmed so their shadow is not cast into the street or where ice and snow usually accumulate.

3. Am I allowed to shovel snow onto the street?: No, it is illegal to place snow from private drives or parking lots onto public rights-of-way. Do not push or shovel snow into the street.

4. Does the County shovel sidewalks?: The County does not remove snow from sidewalks or pedestrian walkways. Citizens are encouraged to shovel walks adjacent to their homes as a courtesy to their neighbors and for the safety of pedestrians.

5. Does the County repair street lights?: No, the County does not maintain street lights. Please contact your electrical power company.

6. How long do I need to stay off the fresh concrete?: Motor vehicles are typically allowed to drive in new concrete within three days.

7. Why does the new curb color not match the existing concrete?: The new curb was sprayed with a curing compound that is important for concrete to develop strength. This compound has a white pigment for installation, which will fade over time. Even after this fading there will be a difference in the shades of concrete due to the age of the concrete.

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Sheriff Inmate Visitation

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1. What do I do when I arrive for my visit?: You will check in with the Visitor Center desk staff. Provide them with your current and valid identification card, driver's license, military ID, passport or Mexican-Matricula Consular ID. Your identification will be verified against the registered visitor's list for that day. Only a registered, pre-approved visitors, limited to two visitors per session, will be allowed to visit. Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

2. Can I leave money?: Yes. You may deposit cash in the kiosks located in either the Visitor Center or the Detention Facility front lobby from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visitor Center staff will not provide inmate account information.

3. Can I visit more than once a day?: No. In order to accommodate all visitors, you will not be allowed to visit more than once per day. Also, you will not be allowed to visit more than one inmate per day.

4. How early should I arrive or what if I am late for my visit?: Please arrive about 15 minutes prior to your scheduled visit. Visitation appointments will begin and end at the scheduled time. Appointments will not be adjusted for late arrivals by either visitors or inmates; you will only be allowed to visit whatever time is remaining from your scheduled visit.

5. How long will my visit last?: You will have approximately 30 minutes to visit. The time will appear on the monitor to show you how many minutes are left in your visit. When the visit has been completed, the monitor will automatically shut off. Your visit is then ended and you must proceed immediately out of the visitation area.

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Sheriff's Office Complaint Process

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1. Who may register a complaint?: A complaint may be made by any citizen, prisoner or Sheriff’s Office member.

2. How do I initiate a complaint against an employee?: Complaints can be made by telephone at 720-874-4014, letter or in person at:
13101 Broncos Parkway
Centennial, CO 80112

Complaints can be filed 24 hours a day with the on-duty supervisor or during regular business hours with the Office of Professional Standards /
Internal Affairs Unit.

All complaints including anonymous complaints will be accepted.

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Sheriff's Office Concealed Handgun Permits

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1. How long does the permit application process take from start to finish?: By law, the Sheriff has ninety (90) days from receipt of your application to perform a background check and either approve or deny your request for a concealed handgun permit. It could take up to ninety (90) days to complete the background check and notify you that your permit is ready to pick up.

2. How long is my permit good for?: Your permit is good for five (5) years.

3. My permit was issued by Arapahoe County. Do I need to inform you if I move?: Yes. Please be sure to notify the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office Concealed Handgun Permit Unit within thirty days of your move. You can do this by submitting an Address Change Form, which can be located on our website.

4. I have a CHP issued from another county in Colorado and I have moved into Arapahoe County. Who do I notify of the address change?: Please be sure to notify the Colorado county that issued your Concealed Handgun Permit within thirty (30) days of your move. You can do this by checking the county that issued your CHP web site and submitting an Address Change Form to that county.

5. If I moved out of Arapahoe County, do I need to renew my permit in the county I move to?: Yes, within one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the expiration of the permit, you may obtain a renewal form from the Sheriff of the county or city and county in which you reside or maintain a secondary residence (or own or lease real property used by you in a business).

6. Will you notify me when it is time to renew my permit?: No. We do not notify you of impending expiration. Like your driver's license, it's your responsibility to maintain your permit. You may renew your permit up to 120 days before it expires and up to 6 months after it expires.

7. My permit was lost/stolen. What do I do?: If your permit was lost or stolen, you need to initiate a report with the local law enforcement agency where the permit was lost or stolen, and bring the documents to the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office Headquarters. A Sheriff's employee will make a copy of the report and ask you to fill out a Permit Lost or Destroyed Form. The fee to replace your permit is $15.

8. My permit is faded to the point that I cannot read it. What do I do?: If you are unable to read the information on your permit or clearly see your photograph, please bring your permit to the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office Headquarters for replacement. The fee to replace your permit is $15.

9. Can I transfer my out-of-state concealed handgun permit to a Colorado concealed handgun permit?: No. You may apply for a Colorado concealed handgun permit.

10. Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) Reciprocity (Last updated 03/23/2015)

Updates are made only when there is a change to Colorado's permit reciprocity with other states. Regardless of the date of the last update, this information is current. Pursuant to Colorado law (CRS 18-12-213), the State of Colorado will recognize a valid permit issued in another state IF the permit was issued to a resident of the state issuing the permit, and the permittee is 21 years of age or older, AND the other state recognizes Colorado permits as valid in their state. Hence, a "yes" in the following table also indicates that a valid Colorado permit is recognized in that state, subject to their laws. When traveling with a Colorado permit, it is advisable to contact the state you are visiting to confirm reciprocity and to review that state's firearms laws.

www.colorado.gov/pacific/cbi/chpreciprocity

11. If I’m a current Colorado Resident, is my out–of-State permit valid here?: No. The state of Colorado no longer recognizes the validity of any permit issued by any state to a nonresident of that state (see C.R.S 18-12-213 amended 2007), specifically they must be a resident of the state that issued the concealed handgun permit and must be in possession of a valid driver's license or identification card issued by that same state.

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Snow Removal

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1. What can I do to help alleviate my ice problem?: Shovel or snow-blow the snow into your yard or behind the sidewalk. Never place this snow in the gutter or street. Clear your driveway and sidewalk as soon after the storm as possible. Remove snow at the very end of your driveway at least 6 feet beyond each edge of the driveway and even into the street. Keep large trees and shrubs adequately trimmed so their shadow is not cast into the street or where ice and snow usually accumulate.

2. Who shovels sidewalks and pedestrian walkways?: The county does not remove snow from sidewalks or pedestrian walkways. Citizens are encouraged to shovel walks adjacent to their homes as a courtesy to their neighbors and for the safety of pedestrians.

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Transportation Division

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1. Who do I call to report problems with a traffic signal?: For signals in unincorporated Arapahoe County call the Transportation Division at 720-874-6500 . For signals on state highways (i.e. Arapahoe Road, Parker Road, etc.) notify the Colorado Department of Transportation Region 6 at 303-757-9511. For signals in incorporated cities (i.e. Aurora, Centennial, Littleton, Denver, Sheridan, etc.) notify the respective jurisdiction.

2. What do I need to do to request additional signs or a traffic signal be installed?: Submit a Traffic Engineering Service Request.

3. Can we add speed bumps to residential streets?: The County will not install certain traffic control devices to control speed, such as speed bumps, drainage cross pans, stop signs, etc.

4. Can we request the speed limit be changed in a residential area?: Under Colorado State Statute, the legal speed limit in a residential area is 30 MPH. This limit cannot be lowered unless a traffic study determines this speed is unsafe for existing conditions.

5. How do I request that a traffic study be conducted in my area?: Please contact the Public Works & Development Department at (720) 874-6500 and ask to be directed to the Traffic Operations Program.

6. How do I request a road closure for a special event?: Please contact the Public Works & Development Department at (720) 874-6500 and ask to be directed to the Traffic Operations Program.

7. Who controls the timing for signals in Arapahoe County?: Please contact the Public Works & Development Department at (720) 874-6500 and ask to be directed to the Traffic Operations Program.

8. Who determines the timing on a school flasher?: The Traffic Operations Program coordinates with the respective School District Transportation Department to determine the proper timing.

9. Who do I contact if a school flasher is malfunctioning?: Please contact the Public Works & Development Department at (720) 874-6500 and ask to be directed to the Traffic Operations Program.

10. How do I report a problem with work done in my neighborhood by a contractor or Road & Bridge?: Contact the Public Works and Development Department at (720) 874-6500 and you can be transferred to the appropriate person to assist with resolving the issue.

11. How do I view or obtain copies of the film for a camera at an intersection?: County cameras are for video detection only, they currently do not have capability to take still images available for viewing.

12. How do I get Traffic Accident history at specific intersections?: Many of the major intersections are available on-line click here, if the intersection of interest is not available here contact the Public Works & Development Department at (720) 874-6500 and ask to be directed to the Traffic Operations Program.

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Treasurer - FAQs

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1. How do I update my mailing address for my property tax statement?: You will need to provide your name (you must be an owner), the property address that you wish to change the mailing address for, the new mailing address, and if you know it, the AIN or PIN. You will need to send this information to the Assessor's Office in one of the following ways:
-e-mail: assessor@arapahoegov.com
-mail in written request to:
Arapahoe County Assessor
5334 S. Prince St.
Littleton, CO 80120
-call the assessor's office directly at 303-795-4600

2. What are the property tax due dates?: -If the tax amount is less than $25, you must pay no later than April 30.
-If the tax amount is $25 or more, you may make two payments. The first half payment is due no later than February 28. The second half payment is due no later than June 15.
-If you pay your taxes in one total amount, the payment is due no later than April 30.
-If your payment is late, delinquent interest is added to the tax amount as mandated by State Statutes.
-US postmarks are accepted as a timely remittance.

3. My property taxes are paid by my mortgage company. What should I know?: -Colorado law was changed in 2010, allowing for electronic notification of taxes due. At that time, Arapahoe County discontinued mailing property tax statements to property owners whose taxes were paid by a lender UNLESS the property owner notified us, requesting that we mail their tax statement to them. We send out an e-mail notice when tax statements are available for viewing, as well as when due dates are approaching. You can sign up for e-mail notification of property tax statements at the link below.
-When you pay off your mortgage, if you wish to receive a paper copy of your tax statement, please contact us by e-mail at Treasurer@arapahoegov.com or by phone at 303-795-4550, so our records can be updated.
-Your mortgage company should request payment information directly from this office. FAILURE TO RECEIVE A TAX STATEMENT DOES NOT RELIEVE THE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR PAYING TAXES ON TIME. Payments from mortgage companies are received in several different ways. Some mortgage companies use a tax service for processing tax payments. The tax service processes multiple mortgage companies, and taxes are remitted via multiple parcel payment file. Others send an individual file, or remit with a payment coupon(s) that you may have forwarded or they requested directly from this office. Any refunds after processing the tax payments are made to the mortgage company.

Sign up for e-mail notification

4. What is the property tax process?: • Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended, require the County Assessor to determine the actual value of property. For property tax purposes, assessed valuation is a percentage of actual value. Specific information on your valuation can be obtained by contacting the Assessor's Office at 303-795-4600 or by e-mail.
• School tax is levied by each school district's Board of Education. County tax is levied by the Board of County Commissioners. City and town taxes are levied by their governing councils. Special district taxes are levied by their Board of Directors.
• The tax levies adopted by the various governing bodies reflect the amount in dollars needed to fund local government services such as schools, law enforcement, detention facilities, fire protection, city and county road construction and maintenance, public libraries, parks and recreation, water, sanitation and drainage facilities, social services, and urban renewal development by cities.
• The factors which determine the amount of tax due are property valuation and tax levy.
• Information concerning the tax levy can be obtained by contacting the governing boards of the taxing entities.
• The County Treasurer is responsible for the collection of taxes and distribution of monies to the various entities for which taxes are collected.
• THE TREASURER HAS NO JURISDICTION OVER VALUATIONS OR TAX LEVIES

5. How are property taxes calculated?: The tax calculation is taxable value times a mill levy (tax rate). Mill levies are certified to the county by each taxing authority. Sign up for e-mail notification

6. How are special assessments calculated?: A special assessment is an amount taxing authorities certify to the county as a specific amount due rather than a tax calculation. Sign up for e-mail notification

7. Why did the amount of my senior or veteran exemption change?

If approved, the exemption grants a reduction of 50% of your value, up to $200,000.

The most common reason for a change in the exemption is due to the tax rate/mill levy changing. This changes every year, so your exemption will never be exactly the same from year to year.

Another reason for a change in the exemption would be a change in value. If the value of your property was previously less than $200,000, and is now over $200,000, this will affect your exemption. If your exemption was previously half of your property taxes, but is now less than half of the total property tax amount, this is probably why.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at 303-795-4550.

8. Where should I remit my payment and to whom should my check be made payable?

Please make your check payable to Arapahoe County Treasurer, and mail to:

Arapahoe County Treasurer Arapahoe County Treasurer
PO Box 571 or 5334 S. Prince St.
Littleton, CO 80160-0571 Littleton, CO 80120

There are also 2 drop box locations:

Clerk and Recorder's Office Clerk and Recorder's Office
490 S. Chambers Road or 6954 S. Lima St.
Aurora, CO Aurora, CO

Guarantee Bank in Byers also accepts property tax payments from mid-January through July 31st:
538 US Highway 36
Byers, CO

Walk-in payments are also accepted at the Arapahoe County Treasurer's Office, located at:

5334 S. Prince St.
Littleton, CO

9. Can I pay my taxes by personal check?: Yes, personal checks are accepted for payment of current year taxes through September 30. Certified funds or cash are required for the redemption of tax liens.

10. How are payments applied?: We will accept the first payment received, and subsequent payments will be applied to any remaining balance due. Amounts that exceed the current amount due by less than $5.00 may be applied as an advance payment toward the following year's taxes. If the overage is $5.00 or more, the amount of the overpayment will be refunded.

11. What is the deadline for certifying delinquent and/or amortized special assessments?: The deadline for certification of special assessments is October 31st. If this date falls on a weekend, the certification becomes due the Friday BEFORE the due date.

12. What is personal property?: "Personal property" means everything which is the subject of ownership and which is not included within the term "real property." "Personal property" includes machinery equipment, and other articles related to a commercial or industrial operation which are either affixed or not affixed to the real property for property utilization of such articles. CRS 39-1-102(11)

13. What is centrally assessed or state assessed property?: "Public utility" means, for property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 1987, every sole proprietorship, firm, limited liability company, partnership, association, company, or corporation, and the trustees or receivers therof, whether elected or appointed, which does business in this state as a railroad company, airline company, electric company, rural electric company, telephone company, telegraph company, gas company, gas pipeline carrier company, domestic water company selling at retail except nonprofit domestic water companies, pipeline company, coal slurry pipeline, or private car line company. CRS 39-4-101(3)

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Treasurer - Online Payment FAQs

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1. How much is the Electronic Check fee?: Effective 7/18/2016, the amount of the Electronic Check fee is $1.50.
A $20.00 fee will be charged for returned Electronic Checks.

2. How much is the credit card service fee?: The credit card service fee is 2.45% of the tax payment amount, with a minimum fee of $2.00.
The Visa Debit service fee is $3.95.

3. Why is there a service fee, and why am I paying for this?: Point & Pay charges a service fee for processing the payment transaction. This fee is not charged by Arapahoe County, nor does Arapahoe County retain any portion of the fee. The service fee is assessed to cover operating costs associated with servicing your credit card transaction, debit card transaction or electronic check payment. When you use this service, two line items will appear on your credit card or bank statement. One is for the tax payment owed to Arapahoe County, and the other is for the service fee charged by Poin & Pay. You will be informed of all charges and fees before you authorize your payment.
Fee Calculator

4. What should I do if I don't receive a confirmation number?: DO NOT make another payment. Please contact our office at 303-795-4550 so that we can check to see if the payment has been accepted.

5. How long will it take before I see that my payment has been applied?: 1 to 3 business days.

6. I received an error when attempting to make an online tax payment.: If you receive an error message when attempting to make an online tax payment, if you are able to do so, please forward a copy of the error page to our customer service. If you cannot send a copy of the error page, please note the web address at the top of the page, and forward that to our customer service. The information that you provide will be forwarded to Point & Pay for research and resolution.

7. My credit card company told me that it is illegal to charge a service fee when using my credit card to make property tax payments. Is this accurate?: The credit card companies have created a service fee program for government agencies or their third party providers to accept credit cards for specific payments. These payments include, but are not limited to, property taxes. Arapahoe County has partnered with Point & Pay to process property tax payments made by credit card. Point & Pay charges a service fee to cover operating costs and the costs associated with servicing thousands of credit card transactions. This fee is not charged by Arapahoe County, nor does Arapahoe County retain any portion of the fee.

8. When is it too late to pay by credit card or e-check?: -First half tax payments can be made through April 30th by e-check or credit card. If first half taxes are paid after the last day of February, interest will also be due.
-Second half tax payments can be made through September 30th by e-check or credit card, and require interest if paid after June 15th.
-Full tax payments can be made through September 30th by e-check or credit card and require interest if paid after April 30th.
-Figures displayed online reflect the appropriate interest.

9. How can I pay part of my tax by credit card, and part by electronic check?: A payment split between check (electronic or physical) and credit card is not possible at this time.

10. What is "Advance Payment" of property taxes?: In Colorado, property taxes are set using last year's assessed property value and become legally due and payable during the current year. Advance payment of property taxes may be best defined as an estimated pre-payment of the current year's property taxes before they are set and become legally due and payable the following year.

11. Is there a dollar limit for online payments?: No, there is no limit for online payments.

12. Who is Point & Pay?: Point & Pay is the electronic service provider for the Arapahoe County Treasurer's office.

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Treasurer - Tax Lien Sale FAQs

Show All Answers

1. When is the tax sale publication available?: The annual tax sale publication will be available in October.

2. If a tax lien is sold, will I lose my property?: You will not immediately lose your property if a tax lien is sold. The tax lien must be 3 years old before the purchaser of the lien can apply for a Treasurer’s Deed to the property. This gives you a minimum of 3 years to pay-off the tax lien.

3. How will I know if the purchaser of the lien has applied for a Treasurer’s Deed to my property?: Once the purchaser (lien holder) applies for the Treasurer’s Deed, our office will request a title search. Notices will be mailed by certified and regular mail to all persons/entities that have a legal interest in the property.

4. Can I still pay-off the tax lien if there is a deed application on my property?: Yes. Be sure to call our office, 303-795-4550 to request the correct amount required to pay-off the tax lien.

5. Will I have to pay extra fees if there is a deed application on my property?: Yes. There are costs associated with the deed application process. They are generally less than $500.00, but can exceed that amount under certain circumstances.

6. How long does it take for the Treasurer’s Deed to be issued?: Once the lien holder has applied for the Treasurer’s Deed and the first legal notice has been published, it generally takes no less than three months and no more than five months to issue the Treasurer’s Deed.

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Zoning - Chickens and Bees

Show All Answers

1. How many chickens can I have on my property?: Residents can have up to four hens. Roosters and other fowl are not allowed.

2. How many hives can I have on my property?

The number of hive boxes allowed is based on the size of your 1-acre or less property.

Lot Area	Number of Hive Boxes
Less than 20,000 square feet	2
20,000 to 1-acre	4
1-acre or more	8

3. Do I need a building permit for my coop and hive boxes?: All of the structures must meet adopted regulations. Certain improvements – such as coops over 120 square feet – may need a building permit. Review current building rules and regulations.

4. Do I need a license for backyard chickens or bees?: No special licenses are required. Residents must adhere to the adopted regulations.

5. Who do these new rules apply to?: These new regulations apply to unincorporated
single-family residential properties located outside of agricultural districts.
The new rules do not apply to the following zone districts: A-E, A-1, A-2, and
R-A.

6. How do I know if I live in the unincorporated part of the County?: Check ArapaMap to confirm your address is located in unincorporated Arapahoe County.

7. I’m concerned about my neighbor’s new coop and hive boxes. Who can I call?: The County’s zoning division is responsible for enforcing the code changes. Residents can call 720-874-6711 or submit an online request.

8. I got a violation – what do I need to do?: The zoning division responds to complaints receives. When a resident receives a courtesy or violation notice, they typically have 14 to 30 days to address the
issue and bring the property into compliance.

9. Can I sell excess eggs or honey?: No. Residential keepers cannot commercially sell honey, eggs, or slaughter hens on the property.

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Arapahoe County Government

Phone: 303-795-4400

All County Offices

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Animal Control

▼
Animal Control - Animal Complaints

▼
Animal Control - Animal Complaints - Animal Bites

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Animal Control - Animal Complaints - Barking Dogs

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Animal Control - Animal Complaints - Dogs Running At Large

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Animal Control - Animal Protection - Animal Emergency Preparedness

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Animal Control - Lost or Found Pets

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Animal Control - Pet Regulations

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Animal Control - Pet Regulations - Dog License

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Animal Control - Wildlife Issues

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Animal Control - Wildlife Issues - Wildlife

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Assessor

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Budget

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Capitol Improvement Program

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Citizen Boards and Committees

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Clerk and Recorder - Renewal Kiosks

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Clerk and Recorder Recording

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Clerk and Recorder’s Office

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Clerk Motor Vehicle Registration

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Clerk Motor Vehicle Titles

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Coroner

▼
County Conversations

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Detention Facility - Inmate Visitation

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Emergency Notification Alerts

▼
Engineering Services Division

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Human Services - Child Support - Child Support Orders with Parents in Different States

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Human Services - Child Support - Custodial Parent

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Human Services - Child Support - Enforcing Child Support Orders

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Human Services - Child Support - Establishing a Child or Medical Support Order

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Human Services - Child Support - Establishing Paternity

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Human Services - Child Support - Modifying a Child Support or Medical Support Order

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Main

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Mapping

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Marijuana Land Use Regulations

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Oil and Gas

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Open Spaces

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Public Trustee

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Records Section FAQ's

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Sheriff Inmate Visitation

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Sheriff's Office Complaint Process

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Sheriff's Office Concealed Handgun Permits

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Snow Removal

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Transportation Division

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Treasurer - FAQs

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Treasurer - Online Payment FAQs

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Treasurer - Tax Lien Sale FAQs

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Zoning - Chickens and Bees