It's May, the snow is past, change is in the air and the assessor's office is mailing "intervening year" Notices of Value, to those who have changed their properties.
By change I mean building new buildings, completing construction, or otherwise changing the value of the property in 2013.
An intervening year means all properties are still on the 2012 level of value, based on confirmed real estate activity in 2011 and 2012. We will remain on this level of value until next year, when we move to the 2014 level of value which will take into account sales and real estate activity from 2012 to June 30, 2014. Next year all properties in Colorado will receive a Notice of Value.
With the break in the weather, appraisers from the assessor's office will be out in the field during these spring and summer months verifying sales, evaluating new construction and ensuring neighborhood factors haven't changed.
What this means, for property owners, is that these appraisers will be verifying the largest amount of sales and construction activity we have had in some time. Verification means visiting the properties to check the inventory and condition of properties as close to the sale or building date as possible to ensure data is correct. We do this to ensure that next year's reappraisal reflects a confirmed property inventory.
The process begins with contacting taxpayers by phone when possible and otherwise knocking on the property door to speak with the resident. When we complete our visit we leave a door hanger, with our contact information, if we have been unable to speak to the owner. All appraisers carry county identification, drive county vehicles and are happy to show identification and discuss valuation at any time.
It is our goal to ensure no taxpayer pays more than their fair share of taxes. To that end the assessor's office is happy to discuss matters of property valuation at any time at 382-6221.
Craig N. Larson
La Plata County Assessor
