Naseem Zubi

County Assessor - Democratic Party

How does your experience make you qualified to represent the people?

I have spent twenty years appraising real property — land, residential, commercial, industrial, special use, and major properties. I also work closely with our personal property division, as well as those handling Tax Increment Financed areas such as the steel mill. That is the full spectrum of what the Pueblo County Assessor's Office handles, and I have worked every part of it.

I began my career appraising houses, and spent fifteen years as a public servant in San Bernardino County, California — the largest county by area in the United States — where I was a member of the Teamsters Local 1932. During that time I developed expertise across every property type, represented the county in appeal hearings, completed the county's Management and Leadership Academy, and taught a course on assessing and prorating damaged properties.

For the past four years I have served at the Pueblo County Assessor's Office, where I currently supervise the commercial appraisal division, overseeing appraisers responsible for commercial, industrial, special use, and major property valuations across Pueblo County. I work directly with taxpayers in the field, by phone, and in the office every day. I was part of the leadership team that helped Assessor Frank Beltran earn the 2025 Colorado Assessors' Association “Assessor of the Year” award. I am honored to have earned Assessor Beltran’s endorsement to succeed him, and I look forward to building on his legacy with a fresh perspective, modern tools, and my own vision for an office that is even more accessible, transparent, and responsive to the people of Pueblo County.

My experience is not just about length of service, it is about depth, breadth, and a career built entirely in public service appraisal. I know this work from the ground up, and I know how to lead a team that serves every property owner in Pueblo County fairly, accurately, and professionally.

What are your top policy priorities?

The County Assessor's Office is fundamentally an administrative and technical office, not a political one. My priorities reflect that reality.

First, accuracy and fairness. Every property in Pueblo County deserves to be valued correctly — no more and no less. Beyond keeping in compliance with state laws, accurate valuations protect homeowners, business owners, and the integrity of the tax base that funds our schools, fire districts, and local services. Pueblo County has never failed an audit, and I will maintain the high standards this office has built under the current leadership and continue to invest in the tools and training that make accurate valuations possible.

Second, transparency and accessibility. Too many property owners receive their Notice of Valuation without understanding where that number came from or what their rights are. I am committed to demystifying the valuation process, through public education, clear communication, and making sure every taxpayer knows how to reach us and how to exercise their right to protest if they disagree. I have already begun this work through an ongoing public video series explaining how the assessor's office operates.

Third, staff development and operational stability. The quality of this office relies on the high quality people that are in it. I will enhance staff training, reduce turnover by pushing for fair wages, and build a team culture grounded in professionalism and service. Stability in this office is not a background issue — it directly affects the consistency and accuracy of every valuation we produce.

These are not political goals. They are professional ones, and they are exactly what this office requires.

What is one issue you think is being overlooked in this race, and how would you address it? 

The most overlooked issue in this race is the nature of the job itself.

The County Assessor does not set tax rates. The assessor does not set mill levies, control government spending, or advocate for political causes. The assessor discovers, lists, classifies, and values every taxable property in the county — accurately, fairly, and professionally, regardless of who owns it or how they vote. These functions are defined by Colorado statute, and I have the deep technical knowledge and professional judgment to see them through.

What that means for voters is this: the County Assessor is an administrative office, where the most important qualities are experience, knowledge, and professional integrity.

When people hear that the assessor race is on the ballot, the first thing many assume is that the outcome will affect their tax bill. I understand that concern, as property taxes matter deeply to every homeowner and business owner in Pueblo County. But the assessor's role is to ensure that your property is valued accurately and fairly according to the market. Tax rates are set by other elected bodies. What I can promise is that under my leadership, every property in Pueblo County will be assessed with the same standard: accuracy, fairness, and transparency.

I would address this oversight by continuing to educate the public about what this office actually does and why it matters. An informed community is better equipped to hold this office accountable and to understand the value of experienced, professional leadership in a role that touches every property owner in the county.

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