Stacey Seifert, Fremont County Assessor
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the function of the Assessor's Office?
The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing and valuing all taxable property (both real and personal) within the county. In addition, our office prepares the tax roll, transfers ownership of property, prepares the abstract of assessment and certifies values to all levying bodies in the county.
Pursuant to Colorado State Statute C.R.S. Article 3, Title 39, all taxable property is valued by the county assessor as stipulated by statute and by using the manuals, appraisal procedures and instructions issued by the Division of Property Taxation. The county assessor determines the actual/market value of each property and then certifies the values to the county entities (taxing districts) and the state. Each entity certifies a mill levy and the assessor's value is multiplied by the property's total mill levy to arrive at the tax amount. The County Treasurer's Office collects the taxes by sending out the tax bill.
What are your Fremont County property taxes used for?
All of the revenue generated by property taxes stays in Fremont County to pay for services provided to its citizens. Property taxes do not support any state services. View the documents below to see a current breakdown of where your taxes go.
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County Only Property Tax Revenue Distribution |
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Fremont County Total Property Tax Revenue Distribution |
How does the Assessor establish value?
All property, real and personal, located in the State of Colorado, on the assessment date January 1st, is taxable unless expressly exempted by the Constitution or state statutes. Article X, Section 3, Colorado Constitution, and 39-1-102 (16), C.R.S.
Most property in Colorado is valued using the three approaches to value: the market approach, the cost approach and the income approach. The exceptions to the three approaches include residential real property (market only), agricultural land and natural resource land (special valuation procedures based on productivity and production).
The market, cost and income data that county assessors use to apply the appropriate approaches to value is collected during specific periods prescribed by statute and represent a certain ''level of value.''
Property taxes are not calculated on the ''full actual value'' as determined by the assessor. Instead, an assessment percentage is applied according to the classification of the property, per 39-1-104(1) and (1.5), C.R.S. to arrive at the "assessed value." Residential property is assessed at a percentage of the actual value; currently, this percentage is 7.20% while most other property is assessed at 29%.
How do I know what the assessor's actual value is for my property?
A property owner must be sent a Notice of Valuation (NOV) every other year unless there has been a change in their property. This notice must be mailed no later than May 1st. In the language of the notice is stated the actual value that the assessor has assigned to your property. This Notice of Valuation is not a tax bill. The purpose of this notice is to inform you of any change in your property valuation and advises you of your right to appeal the value.
What if I disagree with the value that the assessor has assigned to my property?
If a taxpayer disagrees with the value assigned by the assessor, the taxpayer may file a protest during the statutory protest period. Real property protests must be postmarked no later than June 2nd, or a taxpayer may appear in person to protest no later than June 2nd. 39-5-121(1), C.R.S. Personal property protests must be postmarked no later than June 30th, or a taxpayer may appear in person to protest no later than June 30th. 39-5-121(1.5), C.R.S. A protest form is included with the Notice of Valuation; however, it is not mandatory for the taxpayer to use this form, or any other particular form, when protesting.
What happens after I appeal?
All personal inquiries and letters/faxes received during the protest period are processed and reviewed. The assessor's staff corrects all erroneous or improper valuations. If the assessor determines that the value is correct, no adjustments will be applied. In each determination, the assessor includes the reason(s) for denial and information regarding the taxpayer's right of appeal to the County Board of Equalization.
Can I protest the amount of taxes I pay?
The assessor assigns the value to your property, not the tax amount. The appraisers in the assessor's office strive to reach the actual/market value of your property, per mass appraisal techniques. Your property is valued at what it would sell for on the open market.