Homegrown Moving is committed to providing a moving experience no other moving company in Denver can offer. We offer any service you need, including long-distance moves, office moves, and storage services.
Homegrown Moving in 2016 to provide Denver residents with a unique and stress-free moving experience. Our company started in a garage in the Denver area, and we’ve steadily expanded our service area and catalog. We now have a full-scale moving and storage facility in Lakewood with a reach all throughout the United States, making us the best moving company in Denver.
Are you thinking about moving to the Denver area? Whether you are moving to the gorgeous neighborhood of The Highlands or the peaceful area near Washington Park, it is essential to understand the local financial landscape, particularly property taxes. Property taxes make up a large part of the cost of living in Denver. Navigating Denver County property tax can be daunting, especially if you are new to the area.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Denver County taxes, helping you make informed decisions and avoid any unexpected surprises. From how Denver property tax values are assessed to the breakdown of where your tax dollars go, we’ve got you covered.
Before diving into how Denver County property taxes work, it’s important to know exactly what property taxes are. Property taxes are fees collected by local governments on personal property and are used to pay for municipal services such as schools, roadwork, zoos, and libraries.
How much you will pay in Denver property tax is based on the value of the personal property and is paid by the owner of the property. If you own any type of real property within a Denver neighborhood or the Denver area, you will be required to pay property taxes. Understanding the range of benefits, from exemption programs to payment flexibility, can make the process far less intimidating.
The Denver County property tax process is fairly straightforward. According to the Department of Local Affairs, the county assessor is responsible for discovering, listing, classifying, and valuing all property in the county. Then, county commissioners, city councils, school boards, and other taxing authorities will determine their own specific tax rates.
From here, the tax rates of all the taxing authorities providing services in the Denver area are combined to form the total tax rate. Property owners will receive a Notice of Valuation in April with the actual and assessed values. Tax payments are typically due in two installments: the first half by the end of February and the second half on June 15.
A few local services work together to determine the Denver County tax rate. The roles of the Denver County Assessor and the Denver County Treasurer are related to the Denver County property tax.
The Denver County Assessor works to establish accurate values for all property located within Denver County, ensuring that the tax burden is equally distributed among property owners. Property is revalued every other year, so your assessed value will likely fluctuate. Property is valued using the market approach, meaning the assessed value is based on the sale prices of similar homes.
Once your property has been analyzed, the assessor mails out a Notice of Valuation by May 1. The notice will include the property address, parcel ID, classification, the characteristics relevant to value, and the actual value of the property for the prior and applicable tax year. This notice is one of the key tax documents you'll want to keep on file. Additionally, the notice will include an estimate of the taxes you will be required to pay.
If you disagree with the actual value placed on your property, you must present an oral or written objection to the assessor by June 8. The assessor will then make a decision on your protest by July 10.
The Denver County Property Assessor is Keith Erffmeyer. His office is open from Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
After determining the value of your property, the Denver County Assessor will send their findings to the Denver County Treasury Division. The Treasury Division will then mail out your property tax bill. Once they have received your money order payments or credit or debit card payments, they will distribute the money to the proper institutions. In addition to collecting, recording, and depositing Denver taxes, the Treasury Division also:
Handles billing, payment processing, reconciliation, tax compliance, and tax auditing
Taxpayer education
Provides title and registration services
Handles property tax relief
Holds treasury public hearings
The City and County of Denver Treasurer is Steve Ellington. His office, which serves as the city's taxpayer services center, is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and is located on an upper floor at 201 W Colfax Ave, Dept 1009, Denver, CO, 80202. You can contact the office directly at 720-913-9300.
The Treasury Division provides online property tax statements and treasury documents that are emailed to taxpayers or made available for download as digital copies, helping to reduce mailing costs. If you've misplaced your bill, the office can help with lost statements. You can obtain copies of one or multiple years of filings, either in person or on your behalf through an authorized representative.
Denver County Property Tax Rate
According to the Denver Gov, the Denver County property tax rate is determined by multiplying the property’s assessed value by the Mill Levy. When you get your Notice of Valuation, you will see your “actual value.” This value is reduced by the state-mandated assessment rate (6.8% for 2024) to arrive at an “assessed value,” which will be lower than your actual value.
A mill levy is a tax rate that is applied to the assessed value of a property. One mill equals one-thousandth of a dollar, or $1 of tax per $1,000 of assessed value. The mill levies are set by the various Denver taxing authorities on or around December 15 each year. In 2023, Denver’s combined general mill levy was 77.486 mills, or a tax rate of 0.077486 for every $1 of assessed value.
Therefore, the final equation for Denver County taxes is:
Assessed Value x Mill Levy = Property Tax Due
According to Redfin, the median home price in Denver is $620,000. Let’s use this number to calculate the average property tax in the area. With the 6.8% assessment rate, the home’s assessed value would be $42,160.
$42,160 x 0.077486 = $3,266.80
Using these calculations, the average property tax bill in Denver County is $3,266.80.
Denver County Property Tax Payments - Due Dates & How to Pay Your Tax Bill
When are your Denver County property tax bills due? Property tax bills are sent out on or around January 1 of each year. If your total taxes owed come to $25 or more, you may pay your bill on or before the due date of April 30. Additionally, your real estate taxes can be paid in two equal payments. The first half of the payment is due by the last day of February, and the second half is due by June 15. If you owe less than $25, you must pay your bill in full by the due date of April 30. If any of these dates fall on a weekend or holiday, the due date is moved to the next business day.
Denver County offers an online payment service so residents can easily pay taxes without leaving home. As long as you have internet access, you can pay your taxes online directly through the webpage Denver makes available to taxpayers. Their online payment processing options include eCheck, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
Paying online can also save time and help you avoid paying late fees by processing your bill instantly. You may not use a debit card as it requires a PIN and cannot be accepted online. If you choose to pay online, you will have the option to pay the first half, the second half, or the full statement. You can pay your bill directly on the Denver Government website.
If you prefer to pay by mail, you can easily do so by sending a check or money order to the Treasury Division PO Box. All payments must be made payable to the Manager of Finance and must have a valid parcel number in the memo. You will mail property tax payments to:
City and County of Denver
Department of Finance, Treasury Division
PO Box 17420
Denver, CO 80217-0420
If your desired payment method is not listed above, you can visit 201 West Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80202 to explore other options.
If you fail to make your payment, interest accrues at 1% per month. If no payment attempts are made by July, you will receive a delinquency notice. Any unpaid taxes will be advertised in the newspaper and sold at a tax lien auction, typically held in November. The value of the lien at the auction is the sum of the unpaid taxes, delinquent interest, penalties, and fees. After the auction, you will owe monthly redemption interest on the lien's face value until you redeem the property.
Denver County Property Search/Tax Records
Are you interested in Denver County property tax records? Property taxes in Denver County are public information, so you can usually find out how much any property owner in the area is paying. One great resource is the Denver County property tax search on the Denver Government’s website. This tool allows you to enter an address number or a schedule number of any property in the Denver area, making it easy to find tax documents for the current or previous years.
For any property tax statements or taxpayer records dating back multiple years, the Denver Government's online portal is the easiest place to start.
Denver County Property Tax Exemptions
There are a few Denver property tax exemptions and programs for you to consider. If you qualify, these programs can result in significant savings on your bill for the applicable tax year, and in some cases, for years to come.
This property tax exemption is available for senior Colorado residents or their surviving spouses. To be eligible for this exemption, you must:
Be aged 65 or older before January 1 of the year you apply
Have owned and lived in your home for at least 10 consecutive years
To apply for this exemption, you must fill out the Short Form before July 15 of the year in which you are seeking an exemption. Once approved, you do not need to apply again. However, you must report any changes in property ownership or occupancy within 60 days of the change.
This program provides a partial refund of property taxes (or the equivalent in rent) paid to qualifying residents. The average refund for this program is around $1,000, and you will receive it as a check in the mail. To qualify, you must have a disability, be 65 or older, or have at least one child living with you. Additionally, you must meet the income limits. You must have had an income equal to or less than 60% of the Denver Area Median income, depending on the number of people in your household. In 2023, this was $52,140 for one person, $59,580 for two people, $67,020 for three people, and $74,460 for four people.
The Colorado Property Tax Deferral Program is a loan with minimal interest. This program is available to senior citizens and active military members. The loan is recorded as a junior lien against the loanee’s property until it is paid in full.
If you are not eligible for the above loan, then you may still be able to access this program. Residents of any age may elect to defer a portion of their Denver County property tax if the property taxes increase by a specified amount (the tax growth cap). Currently, Denver's tax growth cap is 4%. So, if your Denver County property taxes increase by 4% or more within a year, you may apply for this program.r County property taxes increase by 4% or more within a year, you may apply for this program.
Denver County Property Tax Appeals
If you are worried that your Denver County property taxes are too high, then you’ll want to begin the appeals process. If you disagree with the actual value placed on your property on your Notice of Valuation, then you may present an oral or written objection to the assessor. These protests must be sent on or before June 8.
Then, the assessor is required to review your objection and make a decision on or before July 10. If you are not happy with the assessor’s decision, then you may appeal to the county board of equalization by July 15. The board typically conducts hearings through August 5 and will notify you of their decision in writing.
If you are still not happy with the outcome, the final step is to appeal to an arbitrator, district court, or the Board of Assessment Appeals within 30 days of the date the decision was mailed to you.
Denver County Property Tax FAQ
When Are Property Taxes Due in Denver County?
In Denver County, Colorado, property tax bills are mailed around January 1 each year. Taxpayers can pay their property taxes in full or split them into two equal installments. If paying in full, the entire balance must be submitted by April 30. When choosing the installment method, the first half of the payment is due by the last day of February, and the second half is due by June 15. If the total tax bill is under $25, it cannot be split and must be paid in full by April 30.
How Can Residents Pay Their Property Tax Bills in Denver County?
Real estate owners in Denver County can pay their property taxes online or by mail through the Treasury Division. The online system accepts eChecks, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards, though standard debit cards requiring a PIN are not accepted online. Mail-in payments must be sent via check or money order payable to the Manager of Finance, with the valid parcel number written in the memo line, to the Denver Department of Finance, Treasury Division at PO Box 17420. Unpaid balances accrue interest at a rate of 1% per month.
How Is the Denver County Property Tax Rate Calculated?
Denver County determines property taxes by multiplying a home's assessed value by the combined local mill levy. For residential properties, the state-mandated assessment rate reduces the actual market value to an assessed value, which was set at 6.8% for 2024. This lower assessed figure is multiplied by the mill levy, which was 77.486 mills per $1,000 of assessed value. Based on Denver's median home price of $620,000, the average annual property tax bill for a local homeowner comes out to approximately $3,266.80.
What Property Tax Exemptions Are Available for Seniors in Denver County?
Seniors living in Denver County may qualify for the Senior Property Tax Exemption if they are at least 65 years old before January 1 of the application year and have owned and occupied their primary home for at least 10 consecutive years. Qualifying individuals must submit the short form application to the county assessor before July 15. Additionally, the Denver Property Tax Relief Program offers a partial refund check averaging $1,000 to seniors, disabled residents, or low-income households that meet specific local median income limits.
How Do Property Owners Appeal a Property Tax Valuation in Denver County?
Homeowners who disagree with their real estate valuation can file an appeal with Denver County Assessor Keith Erffmeyer. The county sends a Notice of Valuation by May 1, and owners must present an oral or written objection by June 8. The assessor reviews the protest and issues a decision by July 10. If the homeowner remains unsatisfied, they can appeal to the county board of equalization by July 15, which holds valuation hearings through August 5 to review the property data
Get Started on Your Relocation With Homegrown Moving & Storage
Now that you know how Denver County property taxes work, it’s time to get started with your relocation. Homegrown Moving & Storage is the best moving company around, and our experienced team of Denver movers is ready to get you settled into your new home. Give our team a call today at 303-587-6200 to discuss your move and get started with a free estimate.
Toby Martinez
Toby and all of our staff are Colorado natives, hence the name Homegrown Moving and Storage Company. Toby has been active in the Denver Metro business community for over 20 years. He has been in the moving industry since 2010 and brings great experience to the daily operations of this 5 star rated local moving company. He and the Homegrown Moving and Storage Company team are committed to offering outstanding service at a reasonable cost. As Denver has grown dramatically over the past several years, so have our moving services and capabilities in order to keep up with the changes of our city. We hope to speak with you soon about how our team can help meet your moving needs here in Colorado.
