Property tax revenue supports public schools, county government, special districts, municipal government and junior colleges within Rio Blanco County; it does not fund any state services.
Unless specifically exempt by law, real property and personal property are taxable in Colorado.
- Real property includes land, buildings, and fixtures that are physically incorporated into a building or affixed to land (HVAC, lighting, plumbing, etc.) Real property also includes possessory interests, which are private property interests or the right to the occupancy and use of an otherwise tax-exempt property.
- Personal property includes machinery, equipment, furniture, and other articles related to the business of a commercial or industrial operation.
Valuation
The County Assessor is responsible for discovering, listing, classifying, and valuing all property in accordance with state laws, with the goal of establishing accurate values of all property located within the Rio Blanco County.
Accurate valuation ensures the tax burden is distributed fairly and equitably among all property owners.
Personal property is revalued every year.
Real property is revalued every odd-numbered year.
Property tax calculations consist of several components:
- Actual value of the property:
The actual value assigned to residential properties are based on sales that occurred in an 18-month period (for 2025, the time frame is January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.) Those sales indicate the market conditions in various parts of Rio Blanco County and the market value of specific types of properties. - Assessed value
- Assessment rate
- Property classification
- Tax rate
Comparison of Taxes by Property Type
| Residential Property | Commercial Property | Oil & Gas Production | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Actual Value | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Assessment Rate | 6.25% | 27.00% | 87.50% |
| Taxable Value | 6,250 | 27,000 | 87,500 |
| Average Mill Levy | 52.00 | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Tax Dollars Paid | $325.00 | $1,404.00 | $4,550.00 |