Appraisal cards sent to county residents

Boulder County residents recently received a mailer concerning property values in the county.

For some, there may be some sticker shock, but the point of the mailer is to let people know what is going on.

The fact that valuations increased substantially does not mean your taxes will increase by the same percentage. Colorado law limits the tax burden which can be applied to residential properties, and governments are constrained to limit tax increases, accounting only for population growth and inflation without going back to voters for approval.

County Appraiser Cynthia Braddock said that the county establishes property values on a two-year cycle in odd-numbered years. The value determination for the current cycle is based on the value of property as of June 30, 2016 as provided by law.

“We sent everyone a notice in a postcard format,” Braddock said. “It states the new value and invited them to come in this month, (residents) can come in and appeal their value if they want, and we’ll look into it.”

That means that if residents believe the appraisal amount is incorrect, they can contest it with the county if they do so on or before June 1.

The appraisal process uses computer software to take a statistical analysis of sales in the county to gauge how much each property either increased or decreased in value over that two-year time period.

“We don’t do individual appraisals of every property,” Braddock said. “There’s no way we could do that - we have over 100,000 properties in the county. So in May we send those values out, and if someone has a concern, we will look at the property individually.”

That process will happen over the summer, with October being the deadline for the county to send out their determination notice on all appeals.

“We use the same statistical analysis, but instead of saying ‘you’re one of 100,000 properties, you’re one property,’” Braddock said. “That’s what we do over the summer.”

For those unsatisfied with the results of the preliminary appeal, Braddock said that residents can further challenge the property value determination.

“At that point people can appeal further,” Braddock said. “They can go to the county board of equalization, which takes place between September and November. If that doesn’t satisfy, there is appeal at the state level.

“Basically what we’re doing right now is that we have an open house. We welcome people to come in, we’re offering mail and fax services also … taking everything into account.”

Appeals can be filed in-person by going to the courthouse at 1325 Pearl Street, on the second floor, or online at http://www.bouldercounty.org/departments/assessor.

Braddock said that there has been some concern from owners as properties in the county are becoming more expensive when it comes to sales.

“Values are up across the whole metro area,” Braddock said. “So we expect people to be concerned and to be asking questions. That’s what we do, a lot of education, outreach and explaining.”

The senior tax exemption, established by state statute, will still apply to spouses of senior citizens who previously qualified and for disabled veterans.

Qualifications are that the senior citizen was born before Jan. 1, 1952 and has lived in or owned the home continuously starting before Jan. 1, 2007.

This exemption goes into effect for the 2017 tax year, and the discount will not appear until the 2018 tax bill.

Applications for the senior exemption will be accepted until July 15 for the following tax year. The application form is on the appraiser’s website or can be filled out at the Appraiser’s office.

Because of Memorial Day, residents have until 4:30 p.m. on June 1 to make an appeal in person. If appealing online, the form must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on June 1 or it will not be considered.

Braddock added that the department is more than willing to field any and all questions on the matter. They can be reached at 303-441-3530. Businesses should call 303-441-3316.

“We are pleased to see people and explain our process to them,” Braddock said. “We enjoy answering questions and are more than happy to work with the public.”