Residents requesting information about their property tax bill

The La Plata County Treasurer's office and Assessor's office are receiving a high volume of calls from property owners who have received their property tax bills in the mail, many of which are higher than last year.

There are a lot of factors in Colorado's property tax rates that resulted in an increase in property taxes due this year. "We understand these increases are difficult-especially for residents on fixed incomes," said Commissioner Matt Salka. "The County will continue to share clear, accurate information as state laws change." Below are some frequently asked questions to help residents understand the property tax increase many folks are seeing.

Why is my property tax bill higher?

Many residents are seeing an increase in their property taxes this year due to changes in state law, increases in property market values from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024, and voter-approved property tax increases for residents who live within the City of Durango and Durango Fire Protection District.

What changed?

The $55,000 residential adjustment expired (Senate Bill 24-233)

Under prior state legislation, residential property owners received a temporary $55,000 reduction in actual value for tax years 2023 and 2024. This was essentially a discount passed by state lawmakers to residential property owners that temporarily lowered residential properties' values by up to $55,000 for tax purposes. When it ended, taxable values increased-even if your home value stayed the same.

That adjustment expired and did not apply to tax year 2025 - taxes payable in 2026.

Property values have continued to rise

Market values across La Plata County increased for taxes due in 2026. These market values are based on sales activity from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024. When combined with the expiration of the $55,000 residential adjustment, the increase feels larger.

State law increased the assessment rate on taxes due this year for school districts ( House Bill 24-1001 )

Last year, homeowners paid taxes on 6.7% of the actual value of their home. (That rate was applied after the valuation "discount" of $55,000.) This assessment rate was Colorado's lowest assessment rate in modern history. But for taxes due this year, State lawmakers created two separate assessment rates:

The increase to the school rate is more impactful to the taxpayer than the decrease in the rate to all other special districts. This is because school taxes generally make up the largest portion of a tax bill.

Mill levy increase approved by voters

In the November 2025 election, residents within the Durango Fire Protection District and the City of Durango approved a mill levy increase which increased property taxes payable in 2026.

Why does my tax rate feel so unpredictable?

For many years, property tax calculations were stable. Over the last five years, the state legislature has:

changed assessment rates, made value adjustments and put temporary credits in place that later expired. These frequent changes have made property taxes harder to predict and understand statewide.

What is the County's role?

Our La Plata County Treasurer collects and distributes property taxes for over 40 special districts who provide services to the residents of La Plata County. Special districts include fire departments school districts, municipalities, water districts, library districts, cemetery districts, metro districts, mosquito control districts, etc. The County does not set assessment rates or adjustments. These rules are set by state law and applied uniformly by county assessors across Colorado and all county assessors and treasurers must follow the law exactly as written.

What can I do?

• Check if you qualify for an exemption
  Some homeowners may qualify for exemptions (senior and disabled veteran exemptions)
• Visit the County's website for details
  See how your taxes are distributed and get more information on how your taxes are calculated.
• Call or email with questions
  County staff are experiencing high call volumes and are working to help residents understand their individual situations. Reach us by email at [email protected] or for specific questions about your bill, call the Treasurer's Office at 970-382-6253. For questions about how your property is assessed, call the Assessor's Office at 970-382-6221.