Denver County Property Tax Appeal, Colorado

Travis BunnTravis Bunn·Updated July 22, 2026

Watch: How to appeal your property taxes in Denver County

Denver County is the consolidated city and county that includes the state capital of Denver, the most populous city in Colorado. With a median home value of $636,400 and an effective property tax rate of 0.48%, Denver County has one of the lowest effective property tax rates in the country, well below the national median of 0.89%. The median annual property tax bill in Denver County is $3,071, which is favorable compared to the national median of $3,211. Property tax appeals matter significantly in Denver County because even a 10% over-assessment on a typical home means overpaying approximately $300 or more annually year after year until corrected.

Notable cities: Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Westminster

Median Home

$636,400

Tax Rate

0.48%

Annual Tax

$3,071

Population

715,522

On the typical Denver County home, valued near $636,400 at the county’s effective tax rate of 0.48%, an over-assessment of even 10% means you are overpaying year after year until you appeal it. Here is how to find out if yours qualifies.

2026 Appeal Deadline: June 8, 2026

This year's appeal window has passed in most of Colorado. Order now and we re-run your numbers free when the window reopens, so your evidence is ready the day your next notice lands.

Real property protests must be postmarked or delivered to the Denver County Assessor by June 8, 2026. This deadline is firm and applies statewide under C.R.S. 39-5-122. Notices of Valuation are mailed by May 1, giving property owners approximately 38 days to file. If you miss this deadline, you cannot protest again until the next reassessment cycle.

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How Denver County Assesses Property

6.25%of market value

Assessed by: Denver City and County Assessor's Office

Assessment cycle: biennial

Notices typically mailed: May 1

Denver County assesses property every two years in odd-numbered years. Colorado law requires that residential property be assessed at 6.25% of actual market value for local governments, with a separate 7.05% rate for school districts under the split-rate system enacted for 2025-2026. For example, if your home's market value is $636,400, at the 6.25% assessment ratio your assessed value for local government purposes would be $39,775, resulting in approximately $3,055 in annual taxes at Denver County's combined effective rate of 0.48%. The actual market value is determined using comparable sales from a 28-month period ending June 30 of the preceding year.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the County Board of Equalization. County Board of Equalization hearings are typically held in August-September and provide a formal opportunity to present your evidence before an independent board. You will present your case, the Assessor's Office will present their valuation, and the board will issue a written decision by August 5.

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Step 1: Review your Notice of Valuation when it arrives by May 1 and verify all property details including square footage, bedroom/bathroom count, lot size, and year built for accuracy

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Step 2: Research comparable sales in your neighborhood from the assessment data window (July 2022 through June 2024 for 2026 taxes) and gather evidence showing your property's market value is lower than assessed

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Step 3: File a protest with the Denver County Assessor's Office by June 8, 2026 using the Real Property Appeal form available online at denvergov.org/assessor, by mail, or in person

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Step 4: Submit supporting evidence including comparable sales data, photos documenting property condition issues, appraisal reports, and documentation of any errors in the property record

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Step 5: The Assessor's Office will review your protest and issue a Notice of Determination, typically within 2-4 weeks, either accepting, partially accepting, or denying your requested value reduction

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Step 6: If dissatisfied with the Assessor's decision, file an appeal with the County Board of Equalization by July 15, 2026 (C.R.S. 39-8-106) for a formal hearing

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Step 7: If still unsatisfied after the Board of Equalization decision, you have three options within 30 days: appeal to the Colorado Board of Assessment Appeals, file a civil complaint in district court, or submit to binding arbitration

Required form: Real Property Appeal form (available on Denver Assessor's website)

Filing Methods

online:Visit denvergov.org/property to search for your property and file an appeal online through the Denver Assessor's portal
mail:201 W. Colfax Avenue, Dept. 406, Denver, CO 80202
in-person:201 W. Colfax Avenue, Dept. 406, Denver, CO 80202 (call 720-913-4162 or 303-864-7710 to schedule appointment)

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales from your neighborhood within the statutory data window (July 2022-June 2024 for 2026 appeals)Photos documenting property condition issues, deferred maintenance, or functional obsolescenceProfessional appraisal reports dated close to the June 30, 2024 assessment dateDocumentation of errors in property characteristics (incorrect square footage, missing depreciation, etc.)Recent repair estimates for significant defects

Denver County Assessor Contact

Tax Exemptions in Denver County

Senior Property Tax Homestead Exemption

50% exemption on first $200,000 of actual value (saves approximately $700-$1,000 annually)

Exempts 50% of the first $200,000 of actual value for qualifying seniors age 65+ who have occupied their home as a primary residence for at least 10 consecutive years

Eligibility: Must be 65 years or older as of January 1 of the year applying; must have owned and continuously occupied the property as primary residence for 10+ consecutive years; no income limitDeadline: July 15

Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption

50% exemption on first $200,000 of actual value

Provides the same benefit as the senior exemption for qualifying disabled veterans with a 100% permanent service-connected disability rating

Eligibility: Must have a 100% permanent service-connected disability rating from the VA; must occupy the property as primary residence; surviving spouses may also qualifyDeadline: July 15

Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption

100% exemption on added value from renewable energy improvements

Exempts the added value of renewable energy systems (solar panels, wind, geothermal) from property assessment so installation does not increase property taxes

Eligibility: Any property owner installing qualifying renewable energy systems on residential or commercial propertyDeadline: File with county assessor when system is installed

Denver County Appeal Packet · $49

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Denver County for 2026?
The deadline to file a property tax appeal in Denver County is June 8, 2026. This is a firm statutory deadline under Colorado law (C.R.S. 39-5-122) and applies to all real property protests filed with the Denver County Assessor's Office. Notices of Valuation are mailed by May 1, giving you approximately 38 days to prepare and submit your appeal. Missing this deadline means you cannot protest your assessment again until the next reassessment cycle in 2027, and you will be stuck with the 2026 valuation for both the 2026 and 2027 tax years. To be safe, file your appeal well before June 8 to avoid any mail delays or last-minute issues.
How do I file a property tax appeal in Denver County online?
Denver County makes it easy to file a property tax appeal online through the Denver Assessor's portal. Visit denvergov.org/property and search for your property address using the Assessment and Taxation System. Once you locate your property, you can access the Real Property Appeal form and submit it electronically along with your supporting evidence. You will need to upload documents such as comparable sales data, photos of property issues, and any appraisal reports that support your claim. Alternatively, you can call 720-913-4162 or 303-864-7710 to schedule an in-person appointment, or mail your appeal to 201 W. Colfax Avenue, Dept. 406, Denver, CO 80202. Make sure to file by the June 8 deadline regardless of which method you choose.
What is the Senior Homestead Exemption worth in Denver County?
The Colorado Senior Property Tax Homestead Exemption provides a 50% exemption on the first $200,000 of your home's actual value, which typically saves qualifying seniors approximately $700 to $1,000 annually in Denver County. To qualify, you must be 65 years or older as of January 1 of the year you apply, have owned and continuously occupied the property as your primary residence for at least 10 consecutive years, and the property must be classified as residential. There is no income limit for this exemption. Once approved, the exemption remains in effect for subsequent years as long as ownership and occupancy don't change. Applications must be submitted to the Denver County Assessor's Office by July 15, and you can find the application form on the Denver Assessor's website at denvergov.org/assessor.
What happens at a County Board of Equalization hearing in Denver County?
If the Denver County Assessor denies your initial protest or you're unsatisfied with their decision, you can appeal to the County Board of Equalization by filing a petition by July 15, 2026. Board of Equalization hearings are typically scheduled in August-September and provide a formal opportunity to present your case before an independent board separate from the Assessor's Office. During the hearing, you will present your evidence (comparable sales, photos, appraisals), explain why you believe your property is overvalued, and answer questions from board members. The Assessor's Office will also present their valuation methodology and supporting data. The board will issue a written decision by August 5 (C.R.S. 39-8-107), either upholding the assessment, lowering it, or in rare cases adjusting it. If you're still unsatisfied, you have 30 days to appeal to the state Board of Assessment Appeals, district court, or binding arbitration.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Denver County?
The amount you can save by appealing depends on how much your property was overvalued and whether your appeal is successful. In Denver County, with a median home value of $636,400 and an effective tax rate of 0.48%, even a 10% reduction in assessed value could save you over $300 annually. If your home was overassessed by 15-20%, your annual savings could reach $450 to $600 or more. These savings compound year after year since assessments are set for two-year cycles in Colorado. Statistics show that about 25% of homes nationwide are overassessed, with successful appeals saving an average of $1,346 annually. The key to maximizing your savings is presenting strong evidence that your property's true market value is lower than the assessor's determination, such as recent comparable sales from the July 2022-June 2024 data window, property condition issues, or errors in the property record.
What evidence do I need for a successful Denver County property tax appeal?
The strongest evidence for a Denver County property tax appeal includes recent comparable sales from your neighborhood that sold during the statutory data window of July 2022 through June 2024. The assessor uses sales from this 28-month period to determine your June 30, 2024 valuation, so you need to show that similar homes sold for less than your assessed value. Other powerful evidence includes photos documenting property condition issues like deferred maintenance, outdated systems, or functional obsolescence that the assessor may not have considered. You should also verify the property record card for errors in square footage, bedroom/bathroom count, lot size, or other characteristics. Professional appraisal reports dated close to June 30, 2024 carry significant weight. Recent repair estimates for major defects can also support your case. Organize your evidence clearly with a spreadsheet showing 4-6 comparable properties with lower per-square-foot values than the assessor's estimate.
Does Denver County assess property every year or every two years?
Denver County assesses property every two years (biennially) in odd-numbered years, following Colorado state law. The most recent reassessment occurred in 2025 and applies to both the 2025 and 2026 tax years. Your 2026 property tax bill is based on the assessed value established using market data from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024, with the official assessment date of June 30, 2024. This means if market conditions changed significantly after June 2024, your assessment may not reflect current market values, which can be a valid basis for an appeal. The next reassessment will occur in 2027 for the 2027-2028 tax cycle. You have two opportunities to protest the same valuation: once when the Notice of Valuation is first issued in 2025 (by June 8, 2025) and again in 2026 (by June 8, 2026) since the assessment covers both years.
Can I appeal my Denver County property taxes if I pay through an escrow account?
Yes, you can absolutely appeal your Denver County property taxes even if you pay through a mortgage escrow account. Your mortgage servicer pays the tax bill on your behalf, but you as the property owner have the legal right to challenge the assessed value. If your appeal is successful and your taxes are reduced, the savings will lower your future escrow payments or result in an escrow refund if you've already paid the higher amount. You should notify your mortgage company that you've filed an appeal so they can adjust your escrow account once the new assessment is finalized. The appeal process is identical whether you pay directly or through escrow: file your protest with the Denver County Assessor by June 8, 2026, submit your evidence, and follow through with any hearings if needed. The reduced tax bill will automatically be reflected in your escrow analysis for the following year.

Official Resources

For state-wide appeal information including Colorado's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Colorado Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More Colorado Counties

Sources: https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Department-of-Finance/Our-Divisions/Assessors-Office | https://dpt.colorado.gov/locality/denver-city-and-county-assessor | https://www.appealdesk.com/appeals/colorado/denver | https://smartasset.com/taxes/colorado-property-tax-calculator | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/colorado/denver-county | https://www.senioranswers.org/financial-resources/property-tax-exemption/

Last verified: 2026-07-22