Property Tax Statements Coming Soon

Property owners in Larimer County soon will receive their annual property tax statements. As Larimer County Treasurer, I often get questions from residents about property taxes like, “What does the county do with all the money I pay them?” or some might ask, “Why are my taxes so high?” 

Just what does the Larimer County Treasurer do? We collect and distribute property taxes for Larimer County and other taxing authorities, like your local school districts, fire districts, library districts, and other special districts that provide public services to residents in Larimer County. 

Mill levies that are set by these taxing authorities are certified to the county which the Larimer County Assessor then adds the total assessed value for each property to the tax roll. The tax roll is then certified to the Treasurer for collection and distribution to the taxing authorities. 

This year, school districts will receive 53.4% of your property taxes, 23.3% stays with Larimer County and 14.9% will be distributed to special districts. The remaining percentage of 8.4%, goes to cities and towns in Larimer County to help fund the public services they provide.

In Colorado, we collect property taxes one year in arrears, which means we are collecting 2019 taxes payable in 2020. This year we are mailing out 164,607 tax statements and collecting $100,124,694 more in property taxes than last year. This increase is due to more new properties being assessed and increased property values overall. 

In May of last year, Larimer County property owners received a Notice of Value [NOV] from the Assessor’s Office. The average increase in value throughout Larimer County was right at 18.6%. The newer values will be reflected in the tax statement you’ll be receiving shortly, and you should expect your taxes will be higher this year with the increased valuation. 

Please note by an asterisk on your property tax statement next to “Larimer County” under Tax Authority, that the Larimer County Commissioners approved a tax credit to allow property owners to retain $3.5 million in property taxes. No action is required on your part, the credit was applied by a temporary mill levy reduction.

In addition, we’ve added new services this year to enhance doing business with the Treasurer’s Office. You can sign up for paperless property tax notices, and we’ve added a no-fee eCheck payment option. Have a question? You can always chat with us online or call us at 970-498-7020. Need to change your address? Use our online change of address form.  You can also drop off your tax payments using our new, secure 24-hour accessible drop box at 200 West Oak St., Fort Collins. 

You can always visit our office at 200 West Oak St. in Fort Collins; we’re happy to help you in person. If you haven’t received your property tax statement by the end of January, visit www.larimer.org/treasurer to print it or contact us at 970-498-7020.