Colorado Property Tax Guide 2026: Rates, Calculations, Exemptions & How to Appeal
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How Colorado Property Tax Works
Quick answer: Colorado property tax = your home’s adjusted value × 6.8% assessment rate × your county’s mill levy. Two homes with the same price can have different tax bills depending on their taxing district.
A property tax is an annual tax levied on real estate based on the assessed value of your property. In Colorado, property taxes fund local government services — schools, fire districts, roads, water systems, and county operations. Your property value tax is not based on what you paid for your home, but on what the county assessor determines it is worth, then multiplied by a state-set assessment rate and your local mill levy.
📐 2026 Colorado Property Tax Formula
Source: HB24B-1001 · dpt.colorado.gov
2026 Split Assessment Rates
Local Government Rate
Applied after 10% reduction on first $700,000 of actual value (max reduction: $70,000). Funds county services, fire, water, municipalities.
School District Rate
Applied to full actual value with no 10% reduction. Funds K-12 education across your school district boundaries.
Two separate paths, one bill: Your county treasurer calculates these independently and adds them. Both appear on your same annual tax bill.
How Property Tax is Calculated (Example)
Quick answer: Subtract 10% from your home’s value (max $70,000), multiply by 6.8% to get assessed value, then multiply by your mill levy divided by 1,000. A $450,000 Aurora home pays approximately $2,203/year in local government property tax.
| Actual Value | After 10% Reduction | Assessed Value (×6.8%) | Mill Levy | Property Tax | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $450,000 | → | $405,000 | ×6.8%= | $27,540 | × | 102.68 | = | $2,828 Annual Tax (local govt) |
Calculation Breakdown:
- Actual Value: $450,000
- 10% Reduction: $450,000 − $45,000 = $405,000 adjusted value
- Assessed Value (local govt): $405,000 × 6.8% = $27,540
- Mill Levy: 102.68 (Arapahoe County — varies by specific parcel and district)
- Local Govt Tax: $27,540 × 102.68 ÷ 1,000 = ~$2,828
Real Examples by City
📍 Aurora (specific district est.)
$450,000
📍 Fort Collins, Larimer County
$575,000
📍 Denver, Denver County
$680,000
⚡ Estimates only — mill levies vary by parcel. Use the CL Tax Calculator with your exact address for accurate numbers.
Colorado Property Tax Rate by County (2026)
Quick answer: Colorado’s effective property tax rate averages ~0.50% statewide — 4th lowest in the U.S. Rates range from 0.37% in Mesa County to 0.55% in Adams and Denver counties.
| County | Eff. Rate | Visual | Mill Levy | Main Cities | Search |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arapahoe | ~0.53% | ~102.68 | Aurora, Englewood, Centennial | Search → | |
| Denver | ~0.55% | ~107.15 | Denver (city-county) | Search → | |
| El Paso | ~0.47% | ~90.42 | Colorado Springs | Search → | |
| Jefferson | ~0.51% | ~98.35 | Lakewood, Golden, Arvada | Search → | |
| Larimer | ~0.49% | ~94.68 | Fort Collins, Loveland | Search → | |
| Adams | ~0.55% | ~106.20 | Thornton, Westminster | Search → | |
| Douglas | ~0.43% | ~82.50 | Castle Rock, Parker | Search → | |
| Boulder | ~0.54% | ~104.10 | Boulder, Longmont | Search → | |
| Mesa | ~0.37% | ~70.55 | Grand Junction, Fruita | Search → | |
| Weld | ~0.41% | ~78.90 | Greeley, Loveland area | Search → |
Colorado vs Other States — Effective Property Tax Rate
Source: Tax Foundation & WalletHub, 2026. Colorado ranks 4th lowest nationally at ~0.50%.
Why does Adams County cost more than Douglas County? Both are Denver suburbs, but Adams County’s mill levies run higher because of its specific mix of school districts, fire districts, and city services. The state assessment rate is identical — only the local mill levy differs.
Exemptions & Reductions
Quick answer: Colorado’s most common exemption is the Senior Homestead Exemption — 50% off on the first $200,000 of value for homeowners 65+ with 10+ years of ownership. 100% disabled veterans qualify for the same benefit regardless of age.
Senior Homestead
50% exemption on first $200,000 of actual value for homeowners 65+ with 10+ years ownership and occupancy.
Saves ~$300–$600/yrVeteran Exemption
Exemption based on percentage of service-connected disability (10% to 100%). 100% disabled = same as senior.
Ag Classification
Orchards, ranches, irrigated land — assessed on production value, not market value. Ask your county assessor.
Other Reductions
Business personal property under $50,000 actual value may qualify. Additional reductions may apply.
Payment Deadlines
Colorado property taxes are paid in arrears — meaning you pay this year for last year’s assessed value.
Property Tax Payment Deadlines
Property Tax Appeal Deadlines
⚠️ Miss June 8 and you wait until May 2027. The appeal window is strict — file on time or lose your right to protest for the full two-year cycle.
How to Appeal Your Colorado Property Tax
Quick answer: File a protest with your county assessor by June 8. If denied, appeal to the County Board of Equalization by July 15. Most homeowners resolve their appeal at Step 1 or 2 without needing an attorney.
Assessors Office
May 1 — June 8 · C.R.S. § 39-5-122File online, by mail, or in person. Bring comparable sales (July 2022–June 2024), photos of condition issues, and documentation of any record errors. The assessor must respond by August 15.
Assessor Decision
By August 15The assessor will review your protest and issue a Notice of Determination. If satisfied, the process ends here. Most homeowners resolve at this stage.
Board of Equalization (CBOE)
By July 15 · C.R.S. § 39-8-106If denied, appeal to the County Board of Equalization. Formal hearing — typically 5–15 minutes. Denver Metro extended to September 15 for 2026.
Further Appeal
Within 30 days · C.R.S. § 39-8-108If still denied — appeal to State Board of Assessment Appeals, file in district court, or submit to binding arbitration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & Legal References
🔍 How We Research & Verify This Data
County effective rates, mill levies, and assessor contact details compiled through direct review of all 64 Colorado county assessor and treasurer portals in August 2026. The 6.8% local government rate and 7.05% school district rate are taken directly from HB24B-1001 as published by Colorado DOLA.
C.R.S. § 39-1-104
Assessment ratios — residential & non-residential
C.R.S. § 39-5-122
Protest deadline — May 1 to June 8
C.R.S. § 39-8-106
CBOE appeal — July 15 deadline
HB24B-1001 (2024)
Current 6.8% / 7.05% split rates & 10% reduction
Last reviewed: August 14, 2026. Not affiliated with any government agency. Not legal or financial advice.