Under Colorado law, all counties must reappraise real property every two years. Results are released in odd-numbered years (2021, 2023, etc.).
By May 1 ofeach year, Notices of Valuation are sent to real property taxpayers whose values have changed since the prior year. If this value appears incorrect, the taxpayer may protest the assessment. Protest instructions are included with the Notice of Valuation.
Tax Rates are set in December each year by taxing authorities like the City and County of Denver, Denver Public Schools and others listed on the tax bill. For more information regarding how tax rates are determined, contact the taxing authorities directly. For information on how tax bills are calculated visit our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Assessment Division's Real Property Section determines values for Denver's residential and commercial real estate and is organized into five teams:
Depending on the type of property, appraisers use the cost, market, and/or income approaches to value with certain limitations. For example, the Colorado Constitution Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) amendment, which was approved by voters in 1992, requires all assessors to use ONLY the market (or direct sales comparison) approach in valuing residential property. For commercial real property, the capitalization of net approach to value property is generally the preferred method.