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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Garfield County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Garfield County, CO. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
Varies by location due to special districts (base rate plus fire, library, water districts)
Exemptions
3+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Garfield County, Colorado operates on an assessment-based property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, fire protection, libraries, and county operations. Property taxes are calculated by applying various tax rates to the assessed value of your property, which is determined by the County Assessor based on market value and state-mandated assessment ratios.

For the 2025 tax year (payable in 2026), Garfield County uses assessment rates of 7.05% for residential school taxes and 6.25% for all other local government classifications. Your actual tax rate will vary significantly depending on your specific location within the county, as numerous special taxing districts overlay different areas. These districts may include fire protection, library, water and sanitation, and various improvement districts, each adding their own mill levy to your total tax bill.

The effective tax rates across Garfield County typically range from approximately 0.6% to 1.2% of market value, though this can vary based on your property's classification and the specific combination of taxing districts that serve your area. Property owners should note that Colorado's complex assessment system means that understanding your tax bill requires examining both the base county rates and any applicable special district assessments.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
Residential School Districts7.05%Assessment rate for school funding on residential properties
Local Government (Residential)6.25%Assessment rate for county, municipal, and special district services
Commercial/Industrial6.25%Assessment rate for all non-residential property classifications
Vacant Land6.25%Assessment rate for undeveloped land parcels

Rates shown are assessment rates for levy year 2025, applicable to taxes payable in 2026

Important Note: These are base assessment rates applied to your property's assessed value. Your actual mill levy (tax rate) will include additional assessments from special taxing districts such as:

  • Fire Protection Districts
  • Library Districts
  • Water and Sanitation Districts
  • Metropolitan Districts
  • Conservation Trust Fund
  • Regional Transportation Districts (where applicable)

The specific combination of special districts serving your property can significantly impact your total tax rate. Contact the Garfield County Assessor's office to determine which special taxing districts apply to your specific property address.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Garfield County, property taxes are due in two installments:

Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes in Garfield County are triggered by specific events that change a property's assessed value during the tax year, most commonly ownership transfers and new construction completion. When you purchase property or complete new construction, the County Assessor determines if the property's assessed value has increased from the original assessment, resulting in additional tax owed for the current tax year.

The supplemental tax is calculated as the difference between the new assessed value and the original assessed value, multiplied by the applicable tax rate, and prorated for the remaining months in the tax year. For example, if you purchase a home in September that triggers a $50,000 increase in assessed value, and your combined tax rate is 1.0%, you would owe approximately $167 in supplemental taxes (($50,000 × 1.0% × 4 months) ÷ 12 months).

Supplemental tax bills are typically issued 4-8 weeks after the triggering event and become due 30 days from the bill date. Unlike regular property taxes, supplemental taxes cannot be paid in installments and must be paid in full by the due date to avoid penalties and interest charges.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (7.05% residential): $21,150
  • Less: Senior Exemption (if applicable): -$7,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $14,150
  • Estimated Tax Rate: 0.85%
  • Annual Tax: $2,548
  • Monthly Escrow: $212

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (7.05% residential): $42,300
  • Less: Senior Exemption (if applicable): -$7,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $35,300
  • Estimated Tax Rate: 0.95%
  • Annual Tax: $4,017
  • Monthly Escrow: $335

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (7.05% residential): $70,500
  • Net Taxable Value: $70,500
  • Estimated Tax Rate: 1.05%
  • Annual Tax: $7,403
  • Monthly Escrow: $617

Note: Senior exemptions require annual application and qualification. Tax rates are estimates and vary by specific location and special taxing districts. Actual rates may differ based on your property's exact address and applicable district combinations.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Garfield County require property tax escrow accounts to ensure timely payment of property taxes. Your lender collects monthly escrow payments as part of your mortgage payment, typically calculating 1/12th of your estimated annual tax bill plus a cushion amount allowed by federal regulations.

Property tax payments from escrow accounts are usually made on the April 30th full payment deadline to take advantage of any early payment benefits and avoid the complexity of split payments. Your lender will receive tax bills directly from the County Treasurer and should make payments automatically. However, property owners remain ultimately responsible for ensuring taxes are paid on time, even when using escrow services.

If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or voter-approved mill levy increases, your lender will typically conduct an escrow analysis and may increase your monthly payment or require a lump sum payment to cover any shortage. Garfield County now offers a monthly payment option through escrowtaxes.com for property owners who prefer to manage their own tax payments rather than using traditional lender escrow services.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Garfield County? A: For the current 2025 tax year, you can pay in two half payments due February 28, 2026 and June 15, 2026, or make a full payment by April 30, 2026.

Q: What tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: The primary tax credit is the Senior Citizen Exemption, which can provide up to $7,000 in assessed value reduction. This requires annual application with a deadline of July 15, 2026 (late applications accepted through August 15, 2026). Most credits are NOT automatic and require specific applications.

Q: How does the Homestead Exemption work in Colorado? A: Colorado's homestead exemption primarily limits assessment increases rather than reducing market value. This helps cap how much your assessed value can increase year-over-year, but requires filing to maintain eligibility. Contact the County Assessor for current homestead benefit details and application requirements.

Q: How often are properties reassessed? A: Colorado law requires properties to be reassessed every two years. The County Assessor determines market value as of the assessment date, which then affects taxes for the following two tax years.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Assessment appeals must be filed with the County Board of Equalization by the statutory deadline, typically in early summer. Contact the Assessor's office for specific deadline dates and required forms for the current assessment cycle.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Late payments incur interest charges and penalties. If taxes remain unpaid, the property may eventually be subject to tax lien sale proceedings. Contact the County Treasurer for specific penalty rates and collection procedures.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Garfield County offers online payment options through their official website. Additionally, the county now offers monthly payment plans through escrowtaxes.com for property owners who prefer installment payments.

Q: Why did my tax bill increase if there were no improvements to my property? A: Tax increases can result from market value increases during reassessment, voter-approved bond measures, new special district formations, or mill levy increases by existing taxing districts. Your bill will itemize the various district charges that comprise your total tax.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
Tax Doc
Property tax information – Assessorgarfieldcountyco.gov
02
Tax Doc
Delay in property tax notice mailinggarfieldcountyco.gov
03
Tax Doc
History of Local Sales/Use Taxesspl.cde.state.co.us
04
County
Property tax notices mailed in Garfield Countygarfieldcountyco.gov
05
County
Assessor – Garfield County, Coloradogarfieldcountyco.gov
06
FAQs – Treasurergarfieldcountyco.gov
07
Forms – Assessorgarfieldcountyco.gov
08
Colorado laws and statutes – Assessorgarfieldcountyco.gov
09
C150086 Contract - Laserfiche WebLinkdnrweblink.state.co.us
10
County
news-releases – Garfield County, Coloradogarfieldcountyco.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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