Frequently Asked Questions

What are the legal requirements for determining value?

Legal requirements for determining taxable value are provided by the Colorado Legislature and rules are promulgated by the State Department of Property Taxation to assure that all like real property in Colorado is valued nearly the same for tax equity. Although the state government does not share in county property taxes, state appropriations often are tied by law to local tax raising efforts, such as the state's School Equalization Act.

How can I file my business personal property declaration?

To file online, go to Personal Property declaration. You will need to know your PIN number and your online access code. If you do not know your codes, please contact the Assessor’s office.

Access a blank declaration form here.  You can fill it in online and email it to our office at assessorefile@weldgov.com.

You can also request a spreadsheet from our office to file via email. Contact us at 970-400-3650 or email assessorefile@weldgov.com.

What is a taxing authority?

Taxing authorities within Weld County include, but are not limited to, entities such as schools, fire protection districts, water and sewer districts, recreation districts, cities and towns, library districts and the county government itself.

What is a mill?

Each year the county commissioners, city and town councils, school boards, and the boards of special districts are required by law to hold public hearings to determine their operating budgets, and the number of dollars that will be required from taxpayers. Public notice of such hearings is required.

After the taxing body has determined its tax requirements, it divides that amount by the assessed value of taxable property as determined by the Assessor. The result is called the mill levy.

A mill is a $1 revenue for each $1,000 of assessed valuation.
Ad valorem taxes means according to value.

How is my property value determined?

For the 2023-2024 appraisals, the actual value assigned to vacant land, residential and commercial properties is based on sales and other market data from January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. This data gathering period, called the base period, is prescribed by Colorado statutes. However, if an insufficient number of comparable sales occurred during that timeframe, the assessor is authorized to analyze sales that occurred up to five years preceding June 30, 2022. Time Adjusted Sale Price includes market appreciation from the sale date to the end of the base period, June 30, 2022.

We analyze all sales which occur in the county to determine the valuations.
For commercial and industrial properties, we also use cost and income information to help estimate the values.
Changes in the economic data after the June 30, 2022 appraisal date cannot be considered until the next general reappraisal.

All property was reappraised in 2021, using market information from the January 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020 period.
For agricultural property, mobile homes and or businesses, the valuation process is explained in the following brochures:

Classification and Valuation of Agricultural Property in Colorado

What should I do if I disagree with the value?

Colorado Statutes identify the month of May as the time for you to contact us concerning your valuation. Please keep in mind that you should provide information to support your estimate of value if it differs from that estimated by the Assessor’s Office.
Your value is our estimate of the value of the property as of June 30, 2022. This date is set by law. We can only consider sales and other market information from 2021 and the first six months of 2022 for values set for 2023 and 2024. If you purchased your property, or if you had an appraisal done after June 30, 2022, we cannot consider it in our review of values for 2023 or 2024. We may consider appeals for the valuation of the property only, not the amount of taxes you pay.

How are the assessment rates determined?

The assessment rate, which is used to calculate the assessed value, historically was determined by the Colorado Constitution and the Colorado Revised Statutes.  Starting in 2021 with the repeal of the Gallagher amendment, all rates are subject to change as a result of legislation, referendums and initiatives (ex: SB21-293 and initiative 27).

For 2023-2024 the assessment rates are as follows:

2023 Assessment rates.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

How are my taxes calculated?

The following formula is used to calculate the amount of taxes due:
Actual Value X Assessment Rate X Mill levy = Property Taxes Due
The actual value of each property in Weld County is estimated by the Assessor’s Office.
The mill levies are set each year by the taxing authorities that benefit from the taxes:

  • School districts
  • Weld County
  • Cities and towns
  • Other special districts
  • Fire, water and sanitation districts

The districts, which levy taxes on your property, are listed on your tax bill.
You may research your actual value and the current year’s mill levy here.

Why is someone from the Assessor's Office at my door (or leaving a tag on my door)?

The Assessor’s Office is required to appraise all real estate in Weld County. To conduct a fair and accurate appraisal, an onsite review of your property may be needed. This review may include measurements of the exterior and/or inspection of the characteristics of the interior (for example, counting the number of bedrooms and bathrooms or inspecting basement finishes and remodels).

If a Weld County Appraiser is at your door and you would like to verify his or her credentials, please call (970) 400-3650 or (720) 652-4255. If an Assessor’s Office tag is left on your door, please call (970) 400-3650 or (720) 652-4255 to set an appointment for the Appraiser to return to your property.

Why is there only one property owner's name listed on the mail that I receive from the Assessor's Office?

Although property can be owned by more than one person or entity, the Assessor’s Office is unable to show all the owner’s names on the documents we print due to space limitations on the forms.  If you receive a document from us and you would like to verify that we have all owners on record, please search the account on our property search.  Once you have pulled up your property, all owners names should be displayed.

How can I search for sales data for properties that are comparable to my account / parcel?

There are two ways to search for sales data for comparable properties. Please note that the 2023 and 2024 property values are based on sales data from 1/1/2021 to 6/30/2022. 

1. Use ‘Improved Property Sales Search’ and/or ‘Vacant Property Sales Search’ to search for sales within a specific time frame, location, date range, price range, property type, or acreage.
Using the Improved Property Sales Search or Vacant Property Sales Search:

  • Go to either search screen
  • Enter as many or as few criteria as you would like.  If you are using the Location Description field, please scroll down past the descriptions that begin with a number in order to see the names of subdivisions to select.
  • Click the ‘Submit Query’ button at the bottom of the page

2. Use the ‘'Property Data Search' to search for sales on a map in a specific neighborhood/area.  Sales are color-coded by year and displayed on Legend/Layer list. 
On the Property Data Search:

  • Search for your account or parcel number. 
  • Click on the ‘View Map button’.  The map will open to the account/parcel and will display the results on the left of the map. 
  • Under ‘Tools’ at the top of the screen select ‘Layers’ then select  ‘Sales’. 
  • Under ‘Tools’ at the top of the screen, select the ‘Legend’ to see the years represented by the colors on the map.

How is agricultural land valued?

Agricultural land values are established based on a landlord-tenant formula that utilizes income and expenses that are typical to the landlord. In the formula, the net income to the landlord is calculated using a published commodity price or grazing rental rate, which is averaged over 10 years, multiplied by the local production yield. The yield is based on soil classification or carrying capacity. Typical landlord expenses are also averaged over the same 10-year period and subtracted from the landlord’s gross income to arrive at the landlord’s net income. The net income is capitalized at a statutory rate of 13% to arrive at the value.