I am moving my mobile home, where do I start?
How do I purge the title of my manufactured home?
How do I change the title on my manufactured home?
Property Value - How can my value go up so much in one year?
Property is revalued in Colorado every two years. The changes in the value of homes reflect market conditions in La Plata County from January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, adjusted forward in time to June 30, 2022, the last date of the appraisal period.
What is a "Sales Study Period"?
According to State Statute, the Assessor is required to gather and confirm sales within the 24-month period ending on the June 30th of the year prior to a reappraisal year, time adjusting each sale to the June 30th ending date. This data-gathering period is referred to as the Sales Study Period. The study period for the 2023 reappraisal is from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022.
What if I change my mailing address?
It is the responsibility of the property owner to notify the Assessor's Office of any change in mailing address. To protect the taxpayer from an erroneous address change, the address used by the Assessor's Office will not be changed without the property owner's written consent. For your convenience, you may submit an electronic address change request. Every year, many people don't receive the notices we send because they have not kept us advised of their changed addresses.
Agricultural Classification - how do I obtain agricultural classification?
Who sets the assessment rate?
The "Gallagher Amendment" to the Colorado Constitution requires that a relationship be maintained, on a statewide basis, between the amount of property tax paid on residential property and the amount paid on nonresidential property. The state legislature sets the residential assessment rate once every two years to maintain that relationship. The assessment rate on nonresidential property is 27.9%. The residential assessment rate is 6.765%.
Change title or ownership - How do I change title or name of ownership on my property?
The title on property can be changed via a recorded deed. The Assessors Office is an "office of record," which means changes in ownership or property boundaries are done based on recorded deeds, surveys, subdivision plats & other documents pertaining to ownership. Deeds must be recorded at the Clerk & Recorders Office before the Assessors records can be modified to reflect any changes.
Protest property value - How can I protest my property value?
Protests can be heard by the Assessor's Office from May 1 through June 8 every year. Protests can be filed either in person, by letter, email, or fax.
Pre-pay Taxes - Can I pre-pay my taxes?
It is necessary to contact the La Plata County Treasurer's Office at (970) 382-6352 to discuss pre-paying taxes.
Mass appraisal model - How does a mass appraisal model value of my property?
Each property in the county has a set of characteristics that are used by the model. Some examples are its location, living area square footage, basement square footage (finished and non), style, quality, garage square footage, lot features, etc. These variables may be reviewed on sold properties used in the model in order to estimate value of the properties. The model is then applied to both sold and unsold properties.
Should I bring you a copy of the recorded deed?
It isn't necessary to mail or bring us a copy of the recorded deed. The Assessor's Office accesses all recorded documents from the Clerk & Recorders Office that concern ownership changes.
Who sets the tax rate of mill levy?
Tax rates (mill levies) are determined by each taxing authority (County, City, School District, Fire Department, Water & Sanitation District & Recreation District) in the fall of each year. These authorities provide services to you and are listed on your last tax notice. Amendment 1, known as the Tabor Amendment approved by the voters in 1992, restricts the ability of taxing authorities to raise tax rates or revenue without voter approval. Some tax authorities have chosen to provide temporary tax credits, which allows the tax district to maintain its official mill levy and not exceed revenue limits.
When are the tax bills mailed?
Please contact the Treasurer's Office at (970) 382-6352.
The square footage you list for my house is different from what the building plans indicate. Why is that?
Real estate appraisers measure residences from the outside, so the square footage of areas include the thickness of exterior walls. In taking these measurements, our office rounds to the nearest inch or tenth of a foot; the final square footage is reported to the nearest whole square foot. In other cases, building plans may list only the area inside the exterior walls as living area, so that can account for differences of several hundred square feet when compared to areas based on including the exterior walls.
Why is vacant land and commercial assessed at 27.9%, and residential at 6.765%?
The differences in assessment rates between residential homes and other types of property is the result of an amendment to the Colorado Constitution (known as the Gallagher Amendment) approved by the voters in 1982, which limited the residential share of the property taxes. The State Legislature adjusts the residential assessment rate each reappraisal year to keep the property tax burden from shifting to residential property. This is the Gallagher Amendment in action.
What about decisions reached through the arbitration process?
Decisions reached through the arbitration procedure are final and not subject to review.
Where can I find out about a property tax exemption for disabled veterans?
In the 2006 General Election, Colorado voters passed Referendum E - Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans. This extended the existing property tax exemption for qualifying seniors to any United States military veteran who is one hundred percent permanently disabled due to a service-connected disability. The change will reduce property taxes for qualified disabled veterans by exempting a portion of the value of their home from property taxation. Additional Information located here.
What should I do if I don't receive a tax bill or my taxes aren't paid.
Please contact the Treasurer's Office at (970) 382-6352.
How often do you re-value?
Values are based on condition and level of property completion as of the January 1st Assessment date.
My house wasn't complete on January 1. How was it valued?
All property in Colorado is valued as it exists on January 1st of the current year. If a structure is not fully built on that date a partial value reflecting the percentage of completion is used.
Who pays the taxes due on property I sold or purchased?
Real property tax is the responsibility of the owner of record January 1st of each year. Private contracts between buyer and seller will often specify who pays the taxes or the proration is completed at the closing with the title company.
Is the month of May the only time I can appeal a valuation?
No. The Assessor's Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to answer your questions and to ensure that all valuations are fair. However, to preserve your legal right to appeal a decision of the Assessor's to the County Board of Equalization, you must first make a formal appeal, in person, by e-mail, by fax, or in writing, to the Assessor by June 8. Remember, the Assessor's goal is to value your property as accurately as possible. As a property owner, your participation in this process is encouraged.
