Property value notices sent to owners in El Paso County

El Paso County property owners are finding out the value of their homes and businesses. The assessor’s office mailed property value notifications Friday.

Overall, 91 percent of single-family homes increased in value, 6 percent stayed the same, and 3 percent decreased.

Commercial and industrial properties generally remained flat, but multi-family housing and new construction increased in value. Vacant and agricultural land also increased in value.

The assessor’s office used real estate sales from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2014 to determine property values.

“We look at the style of the house, if it’s a ranch, if it’s a two-story, if it’s a one-car garage, two-car garage, the total square footage, the lot square footage, items like that. There’s a lot of different variables that we look at when valuing a property, (like) condition,” El Paso County Assessor Steve Schleiker said.

The 2015 property values help determine 2016 property taxes.

“Which is pretty frustrating, because we finally have seen an increase in our property, finally climbing, but then taxes are going up on top of that,” homeowner Donna DeLeon said.

Schleiker said the property taxes estimated on the notices aren’t final. Mill levies are also taken into account.

For property owners who qualify, the Senior Property Tax Exemption isn’t reflected in the estimate. It needs financial approval from the legislature, but the session won’t finalize until Wednesday.

Property owners have until June 1 to appeal the assessment.

They can do so by mail, in person, by phone, by fax or online.

Http://land.elpasoco.com/

El Paso County Assessor’s Office

1675 W. Garden of the Gods Rd., Ste. 2300

Colorado Springs, CO 80907

719-520-6600 (main line)

719-520-6665 (fax)