IMPORTANT DATES FOR COLORADO PROPERTY OWNERS

Property tax season is just around the corner.

I've had a number of responses (already) from the posting I did last Wednesday about how to appeal your property tax valuation if you feel the value has been inflated.

Here are some other important dates to track in the process:

May 1 - The Assessor mails a Notice of Valuation annually to real property owners along with an appeal form. The Assessor also gives public notice to all taxpayers concerning their rights to appeal the value placed on their property. Values are based on the Assessor's opinion of value as of June 30, 2008 and that values then follows the property for the next two years.

May 1 to June 1: Real Property Appeal Period - If you disagree with your property value, you have the right to file an appeal at this time. The Assessor must send the taxpayer a decision by the last working day in August. If you disagree with the decision the Assessor's office makes at this time, there is another appeals process that can be followed, which involves a hearing before the County Board of Equalization.

August 25 - The Assessor certifies the current total assessed valuation to each taxing entity in the county. That means schools, fire districts, "parks and rec" districts and other beneficiaries of tax revenue are given their projected revenues so that the budgeting process can begin.

December 22 - The County Commissioners levy taxes.

January 1 or as soon as possible thereafter - Tax bills are sent out. No later than January 10, the Assessor delivers tax warrants to the Treasurer.

Remember that, to file an appeal, you must provide information about comparable sales that reflect market conditions as of June 30, 2008. If there was a foreclosure or a bad comp on your street that occured after this, the Assessor won't consider it.

Please call me if you plan to file an appeal so I can help you make your case.