Mile High Home Group – Welcome to Denver

How Does Colorado Property Tax Compare Nationally?

Colorado property taxes rank moderately low nationally at 0.49-0.65% effective rates—below high-tax states like New Jersey (2.23%) or Illinois (2.08%) but above Florida (0.82%) or Hawaii (0.28%)—with Denver metro assessments at 7.15% of market value reassessed biennially, offering stability for homeowners in the balanced Colorado housing market.

National Comparison Breakdown

After 15+ years in Denver real estate and thousands of transactions, I compare Colorado’s structure favorably: residential rates average $3,500/year on $600K homes versus $12K in Northeast metros, thanks to TABOR limits capping growth. Assessments lag market by one year; appeals succeed with comps. Agricultural exemptions slash rural bills; commercial hits harder at 29%. Nationally mid-pack, Colorado beats California (0.71%) on predictability but trails Texas (1.68%) in revenue funding. Market cycles matter: booms trigger appeals, balances hold steady.

Millage rates vary by district.

Denver-Specific Tax Landscape

Highlands Ranch real estate carries Douglas County rates (0.57% effective, $4,000 on $700K) near Mountain Vista schools, where HOAs layer $300-$500/month—total ownership costs stay competitive through family-driven cycles. Littleton properties in Jefferson County (0.62%, $3,400 on $550K) flex lower sans heavy covenants, LPS zones appealing to budget buyers. Core Denver blends city/county at 0.65% ($3,900), urban services justifying hikes. Springs reassess upward; winters pause protests. Compared to Littleton ease, Highlands Ranch trades slightly higher taxes for school premiums.

Appeals cut 5-10% routinely.

Practical Advice for Buyers and Sellers

Area	Effective Rate	Annual Tax ($600K)
Highlands Ranch	0.57%	$3,420
Littleton	0.62%	$3,720
Core Denver	0.65%	$3,900

Buyers, protest post-reassessment—gather 6-month comps, budget 0.6% ongoing. Sellers, prorate accurately—disclose histories, credit appeals.

My hands-on, concierge-level service crunches tax impacts block-by-block, weighs school/HOA fits through market cycles, builds pricing from local sales, and negotiates relentlessly for tax-efficient buys. Clients are long-term relationships and friends, not transactions—integrity, honesty, transparency, and relentless work ethic minimize burdens.

If Colorado property taxes factor into your Denver real estate plans—Littleton, Highlands Ranch comparisons—reach out anytime. I’m here for a no-pressure conversation and honest guidance tailored to the Colorado housing market.