In the November 2000 election, Colorado voters passed a Property Tax Exemption for Seniors, known as Referendum A. The law says that qualifying seniors will be exempt from paying taxes on 50 percent on the first $200,000 of the senior’s primary residence.
In June 2009, Senate Bill 09-276 was adopted. The bill eliminates the senior exemption benefit for only one year, tax year 2009, payable in 2010.
In spite of the one year suspension, the Assessor’s office will continue to process new applications for the exemption program  and those who qualify for the first time in 2009 are encourage to apply.

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 year 2009 was based on sales between January 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008. This is known as 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.

Actual value multiplied by the assessment rate multiplied by the mill levy equals tax dollars. The residential assessment rate is 7.96% for 2008 and 7.96% for 2009. The assessment rate for all other property, including vacant land is 29%. Example: Please note this is only an example. Your value and mill levy may be different. $150,000 (actual value) x 7.96% (residential assessment rate) x .081265 (mill levy) = $970.30 (tax dollars).

Each individual taxing authority such as school, county, city, fire district, water and sanitation district, and recreation district. These authorities provide services to you and are listed on your last tax notice.

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 (see question above). Colorado provides tax deferrals and rebates for some seniors. For information on these programs, call 303-795-4600 and ask for a brochure.

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.

Each property is revalued to a June 30, 2008 value regardless of the percentage change. Some people think the previous (2008) values are simply multiplied by an inflation factor, but in a reappraisal, all the data from the relevant time frame is used, along with the latest mass appraisal techniques.

You may come into the office during May to speak with an appraiser about your value. Or, you may write a letter; it must be postmarked by June 1. It is important to remember 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.

You can get the information you need in any of the following three ways:
Search for Property Search ( All Residential, Commercial and Vacant Parcels) with our online database; Use our in office customer service terminals and microfiche viewers; Or use the copy of your residential comp sheet appraisal that was mailed with your Notice of Valuation.

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.

Sales Section

Instrument

Code	Description
AO	ADMINISTRATORS
BD	BARGAIN & SALE DEED
CD	CONSERVATORS
DC	DEATH CERTIFICATE
DE	DEED
DR	DECREES
ED	EXECUTORS
GD	GRANT DEED
IL	INST LAND CONTRACT
MD	MINERAL
OD	ORDERS
PD	PERS REPRESENTATIVE
PT	PUBLIC TRUSTEE
QC	QUIT CLAIM
RI	RELS OF INHERITANCE
SA	SUPPLEMENTAL AFF
SF	SHERIFFS
SW	SPECIAL WARRANTY
SY	STATUTORY
TD	TRUSTEES DEED
TL	TITLE TRANSFER
TX	TREASURES DEED
UK	UNKNOWN
WT	LAST WILL & TEST
WY	WARRANTY DEED

Transfer

Code	Description
*	DEFAULT
?	NO VALUE RECORD
0	OTHER
1	JOINT TENANTS
2	TENANTS IN COMMON
3	MULTI PARCEL SALE
4	MULTI DEED SALE
5	SALES PRICE MODIFIED
6	QUALIFIED HUD SALES
7	UNQUALIFIED HUD SALES
8	SPLITS/COMBO
9	SALES PROCESSED & UNQUAL
D	SALE DECLARATION FILED

How are parcel numbers assigned?

2077	-	16	-	2	-	00-032
						Random Generated Numbers
				Quarter Section - One quarter section. A quarter section (commonly called a quarter) contains 160 acres.
		Section - A division or parcel of land on a government survey, comprising one square mile (640 acres). Thirty-six sections compromise a township.
Township - A territorial division of land established by federal survey, being six miles square and containing thirty-six sections, each one mile square.