Guide to Property Assessors Offices - Colorado

Colorado property assessors have key information to property sales and taxes
By Maria St. Louis-Sanchez

Colorado counties each have a Colorado property tax assessor's office that will estimate the value of properties for tax purposes. Though these agencies are designed for taxing purposes, the information they collect can be invaluable for property owners and potential investors.

It is very useful to familiarize yourself with your local Colorado Assessor's Office. These offices can help to:

1. Research potential properties through real estate records from Colorado property assessors. Past-sale records of a property can help an investor know its true worth.

2. Follow property market trends by comparing and contrasting similar properties.

3. Determine taxes or potential taxes on properties. By tracking these taxes, property owners will know if they are paying a fair rate compared to similar properties.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use online records available through the Colorado property assessor These days there are several options to find online records for property assessors' offices in Colorado. Since property records are public information, many Colorado counties offer free records searches online.

I recommend: These Colorado counties are just some that offer free online searchable databases: Boulder County, Denver County and Jefferson County. Also, a complete list of links to find a Colorado property tax assessor can be found at Assessor Links USA.

Know the rules for Colorado property tax assessment By knowing the laws for Colorado county property tax, property owners will be better able to understand their tax bill and, possibly, work to lower it. For example, there are several property tax exemptions available in Colorado, including those for seniors and disabled veterans.

I recommend: The Douglas County Assessors Office has a frequently asked questions guide which easily outlines parts of Colorado property tax law. Property tax exemption forms can be found at the Colorado Division of Property Taxation.

Find Colorado property assessment records through independent websites Individual assessors' offices aren't the only place to find records on Colorado property assessment. There are several other places to search for the records, and they may be more helpful if you are looking to compare records in more than one county.

I recommend: SearchSystems.Net has a direct pass program that lets users search thousands of property records and other public records from around the U.S. LoopNet is a great source if you want to search commercial property records and detailed property records can also be purchased at Intelius Property Check.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

Don't depend on Colorado assessors' office records solely for the value of a property. In general, an assessor tends to provide a lesser estimate on the value of a home than an appraiser would.
Don't be afraid to question your tax bill or a Colorado property assessment. If something seems wrong, especially after comparing the property to others that are similar, call your assessor and ask for more information.