If I have a mortgage, why do I get the tax bill?
According to Colorado law CRS 39-10-103, the property tax bill is mailed during the month of January to the owner of record as their name and mailing address are listed on the Tax Roll. Your mortgage company does not receive a copy of the property tax bill. Most mortgage companies perform their own research on the property taxes for which they are responsible. You may send them a copy of your bill, if it is so needed.
I paid my taxes and my mortgage company also paid.
If you and your mortgage company submit payment, the Treasurer will process the FIRST payment received and return the subsequent payment to the last paying party. We do NOT hold or apply additional funds.
If I move what do I do?
Please send a written request for address change to either the Pitkin County Assessor or the Pitkin County Treasurer. It should contain the owner's signature.
Change of Address Form.docWhen and where do I make payments?
Make checks payable in U.S. funds to the Pitkin County Treasurer. Mail the payment to Pitkin County Treasurer, 506 East Main Street, Suite 201, Aspen, Colorado 81611. If paid in installments the first half payment is due February 28, and with the second half is due by June 15. Or, if paying in full, the payment is due April 30. To pay by credit card visit
www.officialpayment.com or call 1-800-2PAY-TAX. (Use Jurisdiction Code 1607). Official Payment charges a 2.5% for this service.
I just bought the property. Why did I get the tax bill for the whole year?
In most cases closing settlement statements will reflect an exchange of debits and credits between buyer and seller. The seller is usually charged for their share of the property taxes and the buyer is given credit for the same amount. This makes the buyer liable for the full tax year amount.
What if I can't pay on time?
According to Colorado law, interest of 1% per month after the due date is calculated and added to the tax amount due. The interest rate chart is printed on the reverse of each tax bill. Please contact the Pitkin County Treasurer at (970)-920-5170 for the correct amount due.
How are taxes determined?
The valuation of the property is determined by the Pitkin County Assessor using the guidelines established by Colorado Statutes. The taxing authorities use the assessed value to determine their mill levies. A mill is 1/10th of a penny or $1.00 revenue for each thousand dollar of assessed valuation. The assessed value for each property is multiplied by the total mill levy for that taxing district to determine the total tax amount due.
Why do I have to pay taxes?
Taxes pay for local government services. Your tax money supports and provides the following: schools, police and fire protection, water and sewer, libraries, hospital, roads, and special improvement districts.
What do you mean by Real and Personal?
Real Property is considered to be permanently fixed in nature (land and improvements on the land). Personal Property is generally a portable or moveable item such as equipment or furniture used in the production of income.
Are there any senior tax relief programs?
Yes, a Tax Deferral Program is available to senior citizens, whereby the state of Colorado pays the taxes on your residence and holds a lien on your property until it is sold, or changes are made to your qualifications. There is an interest rate associated with the deferral, which is set by the state. An individual must be 65 or older as of January 1st of the year claimed. Please contact the Pitkin County Treasurer's Office, 506 East Main Street - Suite 201 - Aspen, Colorado 81611 for further information.
There is a Senior Property Tax Exemption in Colorado. The General Assembly past a bill in 2009 which eliminates only the senior exemption benefit and only for tax year 2009, payable in 2010. The disabled veteran exemption remains in place. For information, please contact the Pitkin County Assessors Office - 506 East Main Street - Suite 200, Aspen, Colorado 81611 (970) 920-5160. There could be other tax breaks for qualifying senior property owners. Please contact Pitkin County Senior Services at (970) 920-5432 for further information.
What are Special Assessments?
In Pitkin County the special assessments associated with some of the taxes are for the burying of utility lines by the City of Aspen and for special road improvements within the Pitkin Mesa Subdivision.
Real Estate Transfer Tax
The City of Aspen and the Town of Snowmass Village collect Real Estate Transfer Tax on property conveyances within their boundaries. Please contact the City of Aspen Finance Department at (970) 920-5040 or the Town of Snowmass Village Finance Department at (970) 923-3796.
What is the sales tax rate?
Please contact the Pitkin County Finance Office at (970) 920-5220.
What about the Use Tax?
For information regarding the Pitkin County Use Tax, please contact the Pitkin County Finance Office at (970) 920-5220.
What about tax abatements?
Tax abatement petitions are completed by the property owner and are filed with the Pitkin County Assessor for his recommendation, scheduled for hearing by the Pitkin County Treasurer's Office. The Pitkin County Board of Commissioners will consider the Petitions. After the decisions are made at the Board meeting, the petitions if granted, are forwarded to the State of Colorado Division of Property Taxation for further action. Refunds, if approved are issued by the Pitkin County Treasurer.
How do I protest my taxes?
For information on tax protests please contact the Pitkin County Assessors Office at (970) 920-5160.
Where can I obtain Federal and State Income tax forms?
Forms can be obtained at the Pitkin County Library - 120 North Mill Street - Aspen, Colorado 81611 (970) 925-4025.