Otero County Colorado Property Search
To search Otero County property records, use the tool below by owner name, parcel number, or property address. Otero County is home to Rocky Ford, widely known as Colorado’s melon capital for its cantaloupe and watermelons, and to Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site — the actual historic fort site sits here near La Junta, even though the fort’s name belongs to neighboring Bent County. The county also includes the Comanche National Grassland and the Purgatoire River dinosaur track site. Records are kept by the Otero County Assessor in La Junta, the county seat.
Property Search
Partial info works — a last name or street name is enough.
Note: Results come from Colorado’s public GIS database and may not reflect the most recent changes. For verified records, contact the county assessor directly.
How Property Is Assessed in Otero County
The Otero County Assessor discovers, lists, classifies, and values all taxable property in the county, with a full reappraisal on Colorado’s two-year cycle. Agriculture drives much of the tax base here — the Arkansas River valley around La Junta and Rocky Ford supports some of Colorado’s best-known melon and produce farms, alongside ranch land stretching south toward the Comanche National Grassland. Our guide explains Colorado property tax rules.
Each property has a unique parcel number, which is the fastest and most accurate way to pull up ownership, land size, building details, and tax records.
Assessor’s Office — Contact & Key Dates
La Junta, CO 81050
(mail: PO Box 511)
Fax: 719-383-3019
current hours
May — The window to appeal your value to the Assessor is in May (real property appeals are generally due in early June — confirm the exact date each year). You’ll need to submit a form with evidence such as comparable-property valuations.
If your appeal is denied, you can petition the County Board of Equalization.
Under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), the public can inspect property records during office hours; a CORA Request Form is available on the county’s website.
4 Ways to Find a Property Record
Enter a full or partial name to see ownership and assessed values for all matching parcels.
The most precise method — it’s on your tax statement or deed. Fastest and most accurate way to pull a record.
Enter the street address to pull current owner, parcel data, and assessed value.
Filter to La Junta, Rocky Ford, or Manzanola to browse all parcels in that area.
Cities in Otero County
La Junta is the county seat, with Rocky Ford as its famous melon-growing neighbor. Confirm exact parcel counts and tax figures with the Otero County Treasurer.
| City / Town | Notes |
|---|---|
| La Junta (county seat) | Named after Miguel Otero; near Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site |
| Rocky Ford | Colorado’s melon capital — cantaloupe and watermelon country |
| Manzanola | Small farming community |
| Fowler | Small farming community |
Exemptions & Tax Relief
Homeowners 65 or older who have owned and lived in their home for 10 consecutive years can have 50% of the first $200,000 of value exempted. Apply with the Assessor. See senior exemption how it works.
Veterans with a 100% permanent service-connected disability get the same 50% exemption on the first $200,000, regardless of age. Surviving spouses may qualify. Read about the Colorado veteran property exemption.
With so much of the county in farm and ranch land, agricultural classification is common, valuing land on production rather than market value.
Nearby Counties
Otero County sits along the Arkansas River in southeastern Colorado. These neighbors keep their own records: