Rate Breakdown

Property taxes in Alamosa County are calculated by multiplying the assessed value (minus exemptions) by the total local millage rate.

How Property Tax Works in Alamosa County

Alamosa County assesses property values every five years, following Colorado’s statewide revaluation schedule. The County Assessor determines the market value of land and improvements as of the “revaluation date” (typically January 1 of the assessment year). That market value becomes the “assessed value,” which is the starting point for calculating your tax bill.

Once the assessed value is established, the county multiplies it by the applicable millage rates (also called tax rates). One mill equals $1 of tax per $1,000 of assessed value. In Alamosa County the total millage rate is the sum of:

• County road and bridge levy
• City or town levy (if the property lies within an incorporated municipality)
• School district levy
• Special districts (e.g., fire protection, water & sewer, fire protection districts)
• County and state statutory levies

For example, a home with an assessed value of $150,000 and a combined millage rate of 71.5 mills would owe $10,725 in property tax for the year (150,000 ÷ 1,000 × 71.5 = 10,725). The estimator on this page automatically pulls the most recent millage rates from the Alamosa County Treasurer’s Office, so you can see a realistic projection before your bill arrives.

Available Exemptions

Colorado offers several exemptions that can lower the assessed value used in the calculation. Alamosa County applies these exemptions uniformly across the state:

• Homestead Exemption: Reduces the taxable portion of a primary residence by $250,000 of the assessed value. This is the most common exemption for homeowners.
• Senior Citizen Exemption: Residents aged 65 or older with a qualifying income can receive an additional $250,000 exemption on their primary residence (on top of the homestead exemption).
• Disability Exemption: Qualified disabled persons may claim a $250,000 exemption on their primary residence, also stackable with the homestead exemption.
• Veteran Exemptions: Veterans with a service‑connected disability (30% or greater) are eligible for a $250,000 exemption on their primary residence. Surviving spouses of veterans who died in service receive the same benefit.

To claim any of these exemptions, you must file the appropriate Colorado State Revenue Forms (e.g., DR 1089 for homestead, DR 1089A for senior/disabled/veteran) with the Alamosa County Assessor’s Office by the filing deadline (usually March 1 of the tax year).

Payment Schedule & Deadlines

Property taxes in Alamosa County are due in two installments:

• First Installment: Due on October 1. If paid on or before this date, you receive a 5% discount on the amount owed.
• Second Installment: Due on January 1. This installment does not carry a discount, but must be paid in full to avoid penalties.

Late payments incur a 5% penalty plus interest calculated at the state’s legal rate. If a bill remains unpaid after the second installment deadline, the county may issue a tax lien and, eventually, pursue tax foreclosure. Many taxpayers choose to split the total amount into equal semi‑annual payments, but any pre‑payment before the October 1 deadline will still earn the 5% discount.

Appealing Your Assessment

If you believe your property’s assessed value is inaccurate, you have the right to appeal:

• Step 1 – Informal Review: Contact the Alamosa County Assessor’s Office within 30 days of receiving your notice of valuation. Often, a simple conversation or a request for a recent comparable sales list can resolve discrepancies.
• Step 2 – Formal Appeal: If the informal route does not correct the issue, file a written appeal with the County Board of Equalization within 30 days of the informal decision. Include supporting documentation such as appraisals, recent sales, or error calculations.
• Step 3 – Hearing: The Board will schedule a hearing, typically within 90 days of filing. You may present evidence in person or via written testimony. An impartial hearing officer will render a decision.
• Step 4 – Further Appeal: If unsatisfied with the Board’s decision, you may appeal to the Colorado Office of the State Tax Commissioner or pursue judicial review in district court.

Keep all correspondence, appraisal reports, and photographs as part of your appeal package. Acting promptly and providing clear, comparable evidence greatly improves the chances of a successful reduction in your assessed value.