Rate Breakdown

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

How Property Tax Works in Kit Carson County

Every year the Kit Carson County Assessor’s Office determines the taxable value of each parcel of real property. The process begins with a market‑value appraisal, which reflects the price the property would fetch on an open, competitive market on the valuation date (January 1). This value is then adjusted by any applicable exemptions (see below) to produce the assessed value.

Once the assessed value is set, the County applies the local **millage rate** – the amount of tax per $1,000 of assessed value. Kit Carson County’s combined millage rate consists of several components, including the County General Tax, the School District tax, and any special district levies (e.g., fire, hospital, or transportation). As of the 2024‑25 tax year the total rate typically falls between 40 and 45 mills (i.e., $40‑$45 of tax for each $1,000 of assessed value). The exact rate varies by the school district and any voter‑approved levies that affect a particular parcel.

Available Exemptions

Colorado law provides several exemptions that reduce the assessed value before the millage rate is applied.

• Homestead exemption – All homeowners receive a $200 exemption on their primary residence. Additional reductions are available for qualified senior or disabled owners.
• Senior citizen exemption – Residents age 65 or older who meet income requirements (generally $100,000 or less for a household of two) may qualify for a further $200 exemption per qualifying senior.
• Disability exemption – A qualified disabled veteran (or a senior/disabled owner) may receive a $200 exemption for each qualifying individual.
• Veteran exemptions – Colorado offers a $200 exemption for each honorably discharged veteran who served in a combat zone, and an extra $200 for disabled veterans. These exemptions are cumulative with the homestead exemption.

To claim any exemption, file the appropriate Colorado Department of Revenue Form DR 1354 (or the county‑specific equivalent) by the deadline indicated on your assessment notice, usually early August.

Payment Schedule & Deadlines

Kit Carson County follows the statewide two‑installment schedule:

• First installment (half of the total tax): Due by October 1 of the tax year. Paying the full amount before this date eliminates any interest.
• Second installment (remaining balance): Due by March 31 of the following year. This is the final deadline for the tax year in question.

If either installment is not paid by its due date, a **late‑payment penalty** of 8% per annum (0.66% per month) accrues on the overdue balance. Continuing delinquency may result in tax lien filing, foreclosure, or tax‑sale proceedings. Many taxpayers elect to pay the entire bill early to avoid any interest charges.

Appealing Your Assessment

If you believe your assessed value is incorrect, you have the right to contest it:

• File a Petition for Review: Submit a written petition to the Kit Carson County Board of Equalization within 30 days of the notice of assessment (the notice is mailed in August).
• Board of Equalization Hearing: The Board will hold a hearing, allowing you to present evidence such as recent sales of comparable properties, appraisals, or errors in property data.
• Board of Revision: If the decision is unsatisfactory, you may appeal to the County Board of Revision within 30 days of the Board of Equalization’s ruling.
• State and Judicial Review: Further appeals can be made to the Colorado Board of Reconsideration and, ultimately, to District Court, but each step requires additional filing fees and strict deadlines.

Preparing a clear, documented case—photos, recent sales data, and a professional appraisal—greatly improves the chances of a successful adjustment.