5.5% Property Tax Revenue Limit
5.5% Limit Calculations (DLG 53s)
Assessor's Certification of Valuation
Property Tax Limit Worksheets and Forms
Program Contacts:
Scott Olene
303.866.2853
scott.olene@state.co.us
Cynthia Thayer
303.866.5601
cynthia.thayer@state.co.us
Division of Local Government
1313 Sherman Street, Room 521
Denver, Colorado 80203
Overview:
... All statutory tax levies ... shall be so reduced as to prohibit the levying of
a greater amount of revenue than was levied in the preceding year plus five
and one-half percent (5.5%)...
The statutory "5.5%" Property Tax Revenue Limit, also known as the "Annual Levy Law" (Section 29-1-301, et seq., C.R.S.), applies to most statutory local governments that levy for property taxes. It does not apply to home-rule entities unless their charters specify this limit.
For subject governments, the "5.5%" limit restricts the amount of property tax revenue that may be collected each year. The local government's limit is calculated by using information found on the Certification of Valuation (CV) sent by the county assessor by August 25 of each year. A final CV may be sent by December 10th for valuation information that the assessor may have changed.
A worksheet is available to assist in calculating the statutory property tax revenue limitation, however, the Division of Local Government (DLG) also calculates the government's "5.5%" limit. This is done in September and again in December following the county assessors re-certification of valuation. Local governments should compare the 5.5% limit with the TABOR property tax limit to determine which one is the most restrictive.