Are you wondering why your Greenwood Village tax bill changed or how to plan for next year’s escrow? You are not alone. Property taxes in Arapahoe County are straightforward once you know the moving parts, and a little clarity goes a long way for budgeting. In this guide, you will learn how your bill is calculated, where to find your exact mill levy, how escrow works, and what to do if you want to appeal or seek exemptions. Let’s dive in.
How Arapahoe County taxes work
Property taxes fund local services you use every day, including the county, city, schools, fire protection, libraries, and special districts. Your tax bill is built from a few core pieces that apply statewide in Colorado.
- Market value: The county assessor’s estimate of your home’s full market value for the tax year.
- Assessment rate: A state-set percentage applied to market value to produce assessed value.
- Assessed value: Market value multiplied by the assessment rate.
- Mill levy: The sum of tax rates from every taxing entity on your parcel. One mill equals 1 dollar per 1,000 dollars of assessed value.
Key formula: Annual tax = Assessed value × (Total mills ÷ 1,000).
Colorado sets assessment rates by property class, and rates can change. Always verify the current residential assessment rate with the Colorado Division of Property Taxation or the county before you run numbers.
What affects your bill in Greenwood Village
Your total mill levy is the sum of all taxing entities that cover your specific parcel. In Greenwood Village, that often includes Arapahoe County, the City of Greenwood Village, a school district, a fire protection district, and sometimes one or more metropolitan districts.
Many Greenwood Village homes are in Cherry Creek School District, but you should verify which district applies to your parcel. Metropolitan districts are common in suburban neighborhoods. A parcel inside a metropolitan district will often have a higher total mill levy because those districts can levy mills to repay bonds or fund infrastructure and amenities.
Because Greenwood Village has many overlapping special districts, total mills can vary significantly block by block. Two similar homes on different streets can have different tax bills.
Find your assessed value and mill levy
Knowing your assessed value and mill levy turns the tax formula into real numbers for your home.
Step-by-step lookup
- Go to the Arapahoe County Assessor and Treasurer resources.
- Open the Assessor section, then use the parcel search to look up your property by address or PIN.
- On your parcel page, note the market (actual) value, assessed value, and any exemptions on file.
- Review the list of taxing districts for your parcel. This shows which entities contribute to your mill levy.
- Open the Treasurer section to view or download your tax statement. The statement lists each taxing entity and the mills assessed.
- Add the mills to get your total mill levy. Then use the formula: Annual tax = Assessed value × (Total mills ÷ 1,000).
If you want city context for municipal levies and budgets, visit the City of Greenwood Village.
Confirm the current assessment rate
Colorado’s residential assessment rate is set at the state level and may change. Verify the current rate on the Colorado Division of Property Taxation before you calculate.
Example tax calculations (hypothetical)
The following examples are for illustration only. Always use your parcel’s actual assessed value and total mills.
Example A: Single-family home, typical mills (hypothetical)
- Market value: $700,000
- Example assessment rate to verify with DOLA: 6.765 percent
- Assessed value: $700,000 × 0.06765 = $47,355
- Example total mill levy: 80.000 mills
- Annual tax: $47,355 × (80 ÷ 1,000) = $3,788.40
- Monthly escrow portion for taxes: $3,788.40 ÷ 12 = $315.70
Example B: Home in a metro district, higher mills (hypothetical)
- Market value: $700,000
- Assessed value: $47,355
- Example total mill levy: 110.000 mills
- Annual tax: $47,355 × (110 ÷ 1,000) = $5,209.05
- Monthly escrow portion for taxes: $5,209.05 ÷ 12 = $434.09
These examples show how a higher mill levy, often due to a metropolitan district, can materially increase the annual tax and your monthly escrow.
Payment schedule and how to pay
In Arapahoe County, you typically have the option to pay in one full payment or in two equal installments. Due dates, penalties, and interest rules are set by statute and posted on the Treasurer’s page. For current deadlines, accepted methods, and fees, check the Arapahoe County Treasurer information.
Common payment methods include:
- Online payment by e-check or credit card. Cards may carry a convenience fee.
- Payment by mail with a check.
- In-person payment at the Treasurer’s office.
- Escrow through your mortgage lender, if your loan includes an escrow account.
If you think you may be late, contact the Treasurer before the due date to understand penalties and interest.
Escrow and your mortgage payment
If you have an escrow account, your lender estimates annual property taxes, divides that number by 12, and collects the tax portion each month with your mortgage payment. Your lender then pays the county when taxes are due.
Each year, lenders run an escrow analysis. If assessed values rise or voters approve new district levies or bonds, your taxes can increase. That can lead to a higher monthly escrow or a one-time shortage payment. Review your lender’s analysis closely and compare it with your assessor and treasurer records. If you see a discrepancy, ask your lender to review their calculations.
Appeals, exemptions, and relief
If you disagree with your market value, start with the Assessor’s record. The parcel page shows the valuation and classification used for the tax year. Follow the Assessor’s instructions and statutory deadlines to file an appeal. You can reach the relevant pages from the Arapahoe County site.
Some owners may qualify for relief programs, such as senior, veteran, or disability-related exemptions or deferrals. Eligibility rules, benefit amounts, and deadlines are set by the state and implemented locally. Review programs on the Assessor pages and confirm statewide guidance with the Colorado Division of Property Taxation.
Quick checklist for Greenwood Village homeowners
- Look up your parcel on the Assessor search and note market value, assessed value, and exemptions.
- Pull your latest tax statement from the Treasurer and list every taxing entity and mill.
- Add the mills to get your total mill levy.
- Verify the current residential assessment rate on the state site.
- Calculate your annual tax using the formula, then divide by 12 for a monthly estimate.
- If you escrow, compare your lender’s analysis to your calculations and county records.
- If your value seems off, follow the Assessor’s appeal process within the posted window.
- If you may qualify for relief, review programs with the county and the state.
Understanding your property taxes helps you plan upgrades, time a refinance, or decide when to buy or sell. If you would like help interpreting your tax statement or estimating how taxes affect your next move in Greenwood Village, reach out to Katie Knop for clear, local guidance and to get a free home valuation.
FAQs
How do I calculate my Arapahoe County property tax?
- Use Assessed value × (Total mills ÷ 1,000), where the assessed value comes from the Assessor and total mills come from your tax statement.
Where can I find my Greenwood Village tax bill and payment options?
- Visit the Treasurer section through the Arapahoe County site to view your statement, due dates, accepted payment methods, and penalties.
Why is my Greenwood Village tax bill different from my neighbor’s?
- Parcels can sit in different special districts, and homes inside metropolitan districts often have higher total mills than those outside.
How does a change in taxes affect my mortgage escrow?
- Lenders do an annual escrow analysis, and if taxes increase, they can raise your monthly escrow or bill you for a shortage.
What if I think my assessed value is too high in Arapahoe County?
- Review your parcel on the Assessor page, gather comparable data, and follow the posted appeal steps and deadlines on the county site.
Are there any property tax relief programs I can use?
- Some seniors, veterans, or people with disabilities may qualify for programs administered locally; confirm details with the county and the Colorado Division of Property Taxation.
