You can contact the Assessor's Office in a variety of ways. Of course, the best way is to pay a personal visit to your County Assessor's Office. However, realizing that time is valuable for our citizens, the Pitkin County Assessor's Office may be contacted by the following methods:

The actual value assigned to residential properties is based on sales that occurred in the 24 - month period from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2006. Those sales indicate the market conditions in various parts of Pitkin County, and the market value of specific types of properties. Five years of sales activity are analyzed for those types of properties that are few in number or of an unusual nature. For most nonresidential property, we consider comparable sales information, construction costs, depreciation, and the income approach to value. The value is as of January 1st of each year considering the physical and legal condition.

The exact amount of taxes is an estimate until the tax rate or levies have been certified and approved by the Board of County Commissioners. Each individual taxing authority according to Colorado law provides the tax rate or levies to the Board of County Commissioners by December 15th and the Board of County Commissioners certify the mill levy by December 22nd. The following January, official tax notices are mailed by the County Treasurer based upon these approved levies. Therefore, as soon as possible after January 1 of each year, you may be able to contact the County Treasurer's Office for the exact amount of property tax. The Assessor does not levy or collect taxes, we value your property.

Mill levies are set each year by taxing authorities: school districts, the county, cities, fire, water and sanitation districts, and others. These entities provide tax-supported services and are listed on your tax notice.

The Colorado Constitution requires that a specific relationship be maintained, on a statewide basis, between the assessed value of residential property and the assessed value of nonresidential property. The state legislature sets the residential assessment rate once every two years to maintain that relationship. The current assessment rate for all residential properties is 7.96%. All other properties are assessed at 29% of actual value.

No. When an interior inspection is not allowed, the appraiser will attempt to update the records by looking at the property from the outside and using other available information. To ensure an accurate assessment of value, it is to your advantage to allow the appraiser inside your property when an inspection is requested.

Improvements or changes to a structure generally increase the value of property. Examples of typical changes that can increase the value of your property:

• Added rooms or garage
• Additions to the square footage of your home
• Substantial modernization of kitchens and / or baths
• Central air conditioning
• Fireplaces
• Extensive remodeling

Examples of typical changes that doesn't effect your value:

• Painting
• New or repair of your roof
• New furniture
• New carpet
• General repair and maintenance of your property

In 2000, Colorado voters amended the State Constitution with the adoption of Section 3.5 of Article X. The amendment and subsequent legislation created a property tax exemption for two groups of people: a) Qualifying seniors and b) Surviving spouses of senior who previously qualified.

For those who qualify, 50% of the first $200,000 in actual value of their primary residence is exempted. The state will pay the exempted property tax. The exemption is effective January 1, 2007 for tax bills payable beginning in 2008. Qualified individuals must file a completed application by July 15th of the year for which the exemption is requested. Applications are available in the Assessor's Office.

Colorado has a senior citizen homestead exemption. To qualify, seniors must be at least 65 years old on anuary 1 of the year the application is filed and must have owned and lived in their homes for at least 10 consecutive years. A surviving spouse of a senior who qualified for the exemption may also apply. Individuals, who qualify for the exemption on January 1, 2007, may file an application with the county assessor. The application deadline is July 15, 2007. For information, or to obtain an application, please contact your assessor at (970) 920-5160. Note: Seniors who have previously applied and been granted the exemption do not need to apply again.