The Assessor is responsible for listing, classifying, and valuing all property in the county in accordance with state laws. Colorado law is very specific in establishing how Assessors value property:
- Real property must be revalued every odd numbered year.
- The actual value of real property is based on its value as of the appraisal date, which is the June 30th of the year prior to the reappraisal year.
- Residential property may be valued using only the market approach to value. In this approach, the value of the subject property is based on an analysis of comparable sales to predict the price properties would have sold for on the Appraisal date.
- For tax years 2013 and 2014, the assessor must use a minimum of the comparable sales between January 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012. However, the assessor is authorized to include and analyze additional sales that occurred up to five years preceding June 30, 2012, adding sales in six month increments. Douglas County uses sales between July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2012, which includes all sales consummated after the previous reappraisal, and accounts for seasonal differences in the market.
The goal is to establish accurate values for all property located within the county, which in turn ensures that the tax burden is distributed fairly and equitably among property owners.
There are many processes completed during the reappraisal before the final tax bill is generated. The following links provide more detailed information: