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Treasurer

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1. If I have a mortgage, why do I get the tax bill?

According to Colorado law, Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) 39-10-103, the property tax bill is mailed during the month of January to the owner on 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.

2. What do I do if I paid my taxes and my mortgage company paid them as well?

If you and your mortgage company both 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.

3. If I move what do I do?

Please send a written request for an address change to either the Pitkin County Assessor or the Pitkin County Treasurer. It should contain the owner's signature.

4. When 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

530 E Main St.

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 the forte payments website or call 1-866-290-5400, choose option #1. (Use Jurisdiction Code 1607).

5. Why did I get the tax bill for the whole year on a property that I just bought?

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.

6. 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.

7. 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 revenue for each $1,000 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.

8. 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

• Special Improvement Districts

9. What do you mean by real property and personal property?

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.

10. 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. In 2021 it is 1.081%. An individual must be 65 or older as of January 1st of the year claimed. For more information please contact:

Pitkin County Treasurer's Office

530 East Main Street

Suite 201

Aspen, Colorado 81611

There is a Senior Property Tax Exemption in Colorado. For information, please contact:

Pitkin County Assessors Office

530 East Main St.

Suite 204

Aspen, Colorado 81611

Ph: 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.

11. What are Special Assessments?

Special assessments are direct charges which are against the property, but not included in the Assessor’s valuation. For example delinquent utility billings, such as overdue water and sanitation bills and overdue weed control bills. These particular assessments are billed as a single installment special assessment. We have several taxing authorities that submit special assessments for collection.

12. What about food tax rebates?

Food tax rebates are issued by the City of Aspen and Town of Snowmass Village for qualifying residents. Please contact the City of Aspen Finance Department at 970-920-5040.

13. What about Real Estate Transfer Taxes?

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.

14. What is the sales tax rate?

For information please contact the Pitkin County Use Tax Department at 970-920-5220.

15. What about the use tax?

For information regarding the use a tax please contact the Pitkin County Use Tax Department at 970-920-5220.

16. 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.

17. How do I protest my taxes?

You can protest the valuation of your property. For more information please contact the Pitkin County Assessors Office at 970-920-5160.

18. 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

Ph: 970-925-4025

19. Where can I obtain information about other recorded liens existing against my property?

Please contact the Pitkin County Clerk and Recorder’s Office 970-920-5180.

20. What is a deficiency bid?

A deficiency bid occurs when the foreclosing lender submits a written bid for an amount less than owed. The foreclosing lender may elect to sue the homeowner, or anyone else who signed the original promissory note (loan papers), for the amount of the deficiency (the amount owed minus the amount of the bid). Bidding at the Public Trustee sale on properties that have deficiency bids begins at one dollar over the lender bid amount. In most cases lenders file deficiency bids because the adjusted fair market value of the property is less than the amount owed to them.