Arapahoe County, CO - Official Website

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Assessor

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 7.15%. 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 7.15% (residential assessment rate) x .081265 (mill levy) = $ 871.56 (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

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