Mortgage vs free-and-clear medians
- With mortgage
- $2,707/yr
- Without mortgage
- $2,339/yr
- Gap
- $368
Statewide · Property tax · ACS 2024
Colorado Property Taxes
The average Colorado homeowner pays $2,602 a year at an effective rate of 0.48%. That bill is 31% above the U.S. median bill. Compare 64 counties below.
- $2,602
- Avg median tax
- 0.48%
- Effective rate
- #47 of 51
- U.S. rank (burden)
- 64
- Counties
Colorado is among the lightest property-tax states: a median bill of $2,602 a year at an effective rate of 0.48%, ranking 5th-lowest of 51 U.S. jurisdictions (50 states and DC).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2024), the median Colorado homeowner pays $2,602 a year on a home worth $539,400, an effective rate of 0.48%. The bill runs 31% above the $1,993 national median, while the rate sits 48% below it; high home values pull them apart. County medians range $416 (Jackson County) to $4,074 (Pitkin County) across 64 counties.
What the statewide average misses
County medians in Colorado run from $416 in Jackson County to $4,074 (Pitkin County). That range is why a statewide figure is a starting point, not a parcel-level estimate.
- $416–$4,074 (Pitkin County)
- County median-bill range
- 0.47%
- Home-weighted county rate
- 72%
- Homes in the eight largest counties
County medians come from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024. The statewide effective rate in the hero is median tax divided by median home value.
Collector rank · FY2024
Colorado is a top-tier collector of U.S. state-and-local property tax
#14 of 51 · 2.0% of U.S. collections
In Census FY2024, Colorado's state and local governments collected $14.2B in property tax - 2.0% of the U.S. total (#14 of 51).
Spread across 1,571,735 owner-occupied homes, that haul is about $9,065 per home - 3.5× the ACS median homeowner bill of $2,602. The gap is expected: LF0009 covers all taxable property (including commercial and other non-household parcels), while the ACS median is a household figure.
- North Carolina at 1.84% U.S. share (nearly level)
- Connecticut at 1.73% U.S. share (lower)
- Maryland at 1.71% U.S. share (lower)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, FY2024, series LF0009 (property tax), government level State and Local (GOVTYPE 001). Amounts are published in thousands of dollars. This is a government-revenue series, not tax, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for the ACS homeowner median bill above.
ACS tenure & reporting signals · 2024
Mortgage tenure and zero-tax reporting in Colorado
These sub-topics sit on dedicated research and guide pages fleet-wide; here they are computed for Colorado from the same ACS tables that power county medians above.
Owners reporting no tax
- All owner-occupied
- 3.7%
- With mortgage
- 2.0%
- Sample (owned homes)
- 481,056
ACS reports what households paid, not approved exemptions. Exemption guide
County effective-rate spread
Published medians span 0.17% in Jackson County to 0.61% in Adams County - a 0.44 percentage-point gap across 64 counties.
Appeal guide for when a parcel sits above its county median.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024), Table B25087 (mortgage status medians) and county tax_distribution aggregates (zero-tax reporting shares). Informational only, not tax or legal advice.
The average median property tax in Colorado is $2,602/year, which is 31% above the national average of $1,993. The average effective tax rate is 0.48% on a median home value of $539,400. Taxes range from $416 in Jackson County to $4,074 (Pitkin County).
Read the state signal first
What the data changes in Colorado
A rate compares places with different home values. The annual bill shows a typical dollar amount. County spread shows why neither is a parcel estimate.
The clearest local difference
Home values amplify the dollar bill
The median Colorado home is $539,400, compared with $227,791 nationally. This helps explain why two places with similar effective rates can still produce different annual dollar bills.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures describe median homeowner households reported to the Census Bureau. Individual bills can differ with assessed value, exemptions, special districts, and local overlays. Confirm current rates with your county assessor or a qualified professional before making a decision.
State Average vs National Average
Median Annual Tax
$2,602
+31% vs US avg
Median Home Value
$539,400
+137% vs US avg
Effective Tax Rate
0.48%
-48% vs US avg
Rate-band peers near Colorado
Nearest ACS 2024 jurisdictions by effective rate (not geography). Each row names another state so Colorado's 0.48% rate is read against real neighbors such as Arizona and South Carolina.
| Peer state | Effective rate | Vs Colorado | Median bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Also open Arizona for county spread | 0.48% | Arizona nearly matches Colorado | $1,879 |
| South Carolina Also open South Carolina for county spread | 0.48% | South Carolina nearly matches Colorado | $1,251 |
| Nevada Also open Nevada for county spread | 0.47% | Nevada nearly matches Colorado | $2,027 |
| Idaho Also open Idaho for county spread | 0.49% | Idaho nearly matches Colorado | $2,038 |
| Delaware Also open Delaware for county spread | 0.50% | Delaware nearly matches Colorado | $1,768 |
| Tennessee Also open Tennessee for county spread | 0.50% | Tennessee nearly matches Colorado | $1,442 |
Nationwide states with similar effective rate & median bill
Two PlainPropertyTax-derived comparison paths for Colorado, excluding Colorado itself so the link neighborhoods are not self-referential. Median-bill peers exclude the effective-rate peer set so the two axes stay disjoint.
Similar effective rate
Nearest other states by ACS effective rate. Colorado: 0.48%.
Similar median bill
Nearest other states by ACS median annual tax. Colorado: $2,602/yr. Rate peers are excluded so the two link sets stay distinct.
Where Colorado sits among U.S. jurisdictions
Effective property tax rate (median tax ÷ median home value) across the 50 states and DC, ACS 2024.
Where Colorado sits among U.S. jurisdictions
Effective rate · ACS 2024 · 50 states and DC
0.48% Among the more affordable rates more affordable than 88% of 51 U.S. jurisdictions
Show national distribution
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more U.S. jurisdictions. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024
Colorado has a higher effective property tax rate than 8% of U.S. jurisdictions (the 50 states and DC), ranking #47 of 51 for property tax burden. Rate neighbors: Arizona (0.48%, nearly level); South Carolina (0.48%, nearly level); Nevada (0.47%, nearly level).
What Colorado's biggest counties actually charge
Effective rate in the eight Colorado counties holding the most owner-occupied homes, ordered largest first (highlighted) and together holding 72% of the state's. ACS 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024). Counties ordered by owner-occupied housing units (B25003_002E), not by resident population.
Colorado's median county rate is 0.48%, but that figure counts every county equally. Weight each county by how many owner-occupied homes it actually holds and the rate a typical Colorado homeowner faces is 0.47%, close to the plain median, so Colorado's larger counties are not unusual for the state.
Top 5 Lowest Tax Counties
Top 5 Highest Tax Counties
Tax Affordability Score
9.9
Very Affordable
Based on the average effective tax rate of 0.48% compared to the national average of 0.92%. Colorado has below-average property tax rates, making it a more affordable state for homeowners.
Very Expensive Very Affordable
How this score is calculated: a 1-10 scale from Colorado's 0.48% vs the national 0.92% - read beside Arizona and South Carolina before treating the score as band-typical. A ratio at or below 0.5× scores 10, at or above 2.0× scores 1, linear between. Census figures only, not a recommendation or endorsement.
Counties in Colorado by tax bill
Ranked from highest median annual bill downward across 64 measured counties. Gold/silver/bronze mark the top three list positions; effective rate is the focal comparison when home values differ.
| # | County | Median tax | Eff. rate | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pitkin County | $4,074 | 0.36% | $1,139,100 |
| 2 | Broomfield County | $4,007 | 0.60% | $664,500 |
| 3 | Boulder County | $3,998 | 0.53% | $756,300 |
| 4 | Douglas County | $3,947 | 0.55% | $713,600 |
| 5 | Eagle County | $3,510 | 0.42% | $839,500 |
| 6 | Elbert County | $3,214 | 0.45% | $709,800 |
| 7 | Jefferson County | $3,082 | 0.48% | $637,600 |
| 8 | Summit County | $2,995 | 0.32% | $939,900 |
| 9 | Adams County | $2,962 | 0.61% | $484,200 |
| 10 | Arapahoe County | $2,938 | 0.52% | $561,200 |
| 11 | Larimer County | $2,832 | 0.50% | $569,100 |
| 12 | Denver County | $2,751 | 0.45% | $616,000 |
| 13 | Routt County | $2,736 | 0.32% | $854,700 |
| 14 | Weld County | $2,440 | 0.52% | $471,700 |
| 15 | Clear Creek County | $2,350 | 0.39% | $608,500 |
| 16 | Garfield County | $2,201 | 0.42% | $527,800 |
| 17 | Grand County | $2,071 | 0.34% | $601,500 |
| 18 | Ouray County | $2,050 | 0.28% | $739,800 |
| 19 | Lake County | $1,960 | 0.42% | $466,100 |
| 20 | Chaffee County | $1,901 | 0.29% | $665,700 |
| 21 | San Miguel County | $1,900 | 0.26% | $720,700 |
| 22 | El Paso County | $1,874 | 0.41% | $461,000 |
| 23 | Gunnison County | $1,798 | 0.29% | $621,800 |
| 24 | Park County | $1,771 | 0.33% | $532,100 |
| 25 | Morgan County | $1,751 | 0.52% | $338,600 |
| 26 | Archuleta County | $1,688 | 0.35% | $478,100 |
| 27 | Teller County | $1,672 | 0.35% | $479,900 |
| 28 | La Plata County | $1,552 | 0.26% | $591,500 |
| 29 | Custer County | $1,547 | 0.39% | $392,100 |
| 30 | Mineral County | $1,500 | 0.35% | $430,500 |
| 31 | Pueblo County | $1,467 | 0.50% | $291,300 |
| 32 | Phillips County | $1,456 | 0.56% | $258,200 |
| 33 | Mesa County | $1,439 | 0.38% | $378,600 |
| 34 | Montrose County | $1,385 | 0.36% | $388,400 |
| 35 | San Juan County | $1,364 | 0.32% | $432,500 |
| 36 | Hinsdale County | $1,359 | 0.31% | $437,900 |
| 37 | Gilpin County | $1,310 | 0.23% | $573,900 |
| 38 | Kit Carson County | $1,185 | 0.49% | $239,500 |
| 39 | Fremont County | $1,175 | 0.36% | $324,000 |
| 40 | Moffat County | $1,146 | 0.40% | $289,500 |
| 41 | Logan County | $1,132 | 0.46% | $245,300 |
| 42 | Lincoln County | $1,092 | 0.44% | $246,500 |
| 43 | Delta County | $1,068 | 0.31% | $343,200 |
| 44 | Alamosa County | $1,024 | 0.43% | $239,100 |
| 45 | Yuma County | $1,003 | 0.47% | $211,700 |
| 46 | Montezuma County | $958 | 0.29% | $331,400 |
| 47 | Kiowa County | $939 | 0.58% | $161,500 |
| 48 | Rio Grande County | $925 | 0.39% | $239,500 |
| 49 | Rio Blanco County | $917 | 0.33% | $274,400 |
| 50 | Cheyenne County | $887 | 0.47% | $187,500 |
| 51 | Washington County | $874 | 0.39% | $226,200 |
| 52 | Conejos County | $780 | 0.40% | $193,400 |
| 53 | Huerfano County | $699 | 0.28% | $247,800 |
| 54 | Saguache County | $690 | 0.32% | $212,600 |
| 55 | Sedgwick County | $664 | 0.45% | $149,000 |
| 56 | Dolores County | $659 | 0.27% | $247,600 |
| 57 | Costilla County | $582 | 0.32% | $184,700 |
| 58 | Baca County | $545 | 0.44% | $122,900 |
| 59 | Las Animas County | $535 | 0.23% | $237,600 |
| 60 | Crowley County | $521 | 0.45% | $116,200 |
| 61 | Otero County | $520 | 0.31% | $168,900 |
| 62 | Bent County | $517 | 0.35% | $146,900 |
| 63 | Prowers County | $487 | 0.30% | $160,600 |
| 64 | Jackson County | $416 | 0.17% | $239,600 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home value in Colorado? ▼
The median home value across Colorado is $539,400, compared to $227,791 nationally. Home values directly impact property tax bills since taxes are assessed as a percentage of property value.
Which county in Colorado has the lowest property taxes? ▼
Jackson County has the lowest median property tax in Colorado at $416 per year with an effective rate of 0.17%. The highest is Pitkin County at $4,074.
How does Colorado compare to the national average? ▼
Colorado property taxes are 31% above the national average. Homeowners here pay a median of $2,602 per year compared to $1,993 nationally.
What is the average property tax in Colorado? ▼
The average median property tax paid in Colorado is $2,602 per year, based on ACS 2024 data. The average effective tax rate is 0.48%.
How large is Colorado's share of U.S. property-tax collections? ▼
In Census FY2024, Colorado's state and local governments collected $14.2B in property tax - 2.0% of the U.S. total (#14 of 51). Spread across 1,571,735 owner-occupied homes, that haul is about $9,065 per home - 3.5× the ACS median homeowner bill of $2,602. The gap is expected: LF0009 covers all taxable property (including commercial and other non-household parcels), while the ACS median is a household figure.
Do homeowners with a mortgage pay more property tax in Colorado? ▼
ACS 2024 medians show mortgaged owners pay $2,707/yr versus $2,339 for owners without a mortgage, a $368 gap. Our mortgage-gap research page ranks this spread against all states.
What share of Colorado owners report paying no property tax? ▼
3.7% of owner-occupied homes in Colorado report zero property tax on the ACS survey (2.0% among mortgaged owners). That is a reporting signal, exemptions, caps, or non-levying jurisdictions, not an exemption headcount.
How are property taxes calculated? ▼
Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of a property by the local tax rate (mill rate). Rates vary by county, city, and school district. The effective tax rate shown here is the median tax paid divided by the median home value, which provides a standardized comparison across counties.
Can I appeal my property taxes in Colorado? ▼
Yes. Every Colorado homeowner has the right to appeal their property tax assessment. The process typically starts at your county assessor's office within 30-90 days of receiving your assessment notice. You can challenge the assessed value by providing comparable sales data, evidence of property condition, or errors in the assessment. See our guide on how to appeal property taxes for detailed steps.
What to do with Colorado's numbers
Turn the ACS 2024 statewide medians into a county check, an estimate, or an appeal path.
- Colorado's ACS 2024 median bill is $2,602/yr at 0.48% (31% above the U.S. median). Open any county below to see how far local bills sit from that statewide figure. County list
- Inside Colorado, Jackson County posts the lowest median bill at $416/yr; Pitkin County is highest at $4,074/yr. Open Jackson County
- Estimate a parcel bill at Colorado's published effective rate, or read the state's assessment and appeal path before treating the statewide median as your budget. State estimator
Statewide medians average across 64 counties; your parcel's assessed value, exemptions, and local levies set the real bill. U.S. Census Bureau ACS · 2024.
Editorial standards and provenance
PlainPropertyTax is rendered directly from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on the Census ACS state-level record for Colorado. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-08-09.