Assessment Division
The Real Property Section
To search Denver's Real Property online, click here.
The Assessment Division's Real Property Section determines values for Denver's residential and commercial real estate. Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Assessor/Chief Appraiser, the Section is organized into five teams:
Attached Housing values Condominiums, Townhouses and Row Houses;
Commercial & Industrial values all Non-residential Properties except land;
High Density values Land, Multifamily Dwellings and Apartments;
Residential East values Single Family Detached Houses located East of Colorado Blvd; and
Residential West values Single Family Detached Houses West of Colorado Blvd.
Depending on the type of property, appraisers use the cost, market, and/or income approaches to value with certain limitations. For example, the Colorado Consitution's 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 income approach to value is generally the appropriate method.
By May 1 each 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.
DENVER PROPERTY REAPPRAISALS
Under Colorado law, all counties must reappraise real property every two years. Results are released in odd-numbered years (2011, 2013, etc).
Real estate markets are forever changing. Prior to the 2008 international financial crisis, both Denver's residential and commercial property classes regularly increase in value. Since that time, values for most properties have declined - all by differing amounts. Reappraisals redistribute property tax burden based on shifts in individual valuations regardless of general value trends.
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 click here