Property taxes can feel confusing, especially when two homes in the same city pay different amounts. If you own or plan to buy in Westminster’s Adams County area, you want a clear picture of how your bill is set and what you can do to manage it. In a few minutes, you’ll learn how taxes are calculated, key deadlines, relief programs, and where to find exact numbers for any parcel. Let’s dive in.
How Westminster property taxes work
Colorado uses an assessed value times mill levy system. The Adams County Assessor estimates your home’s market value, then Colorado applies residential assessment rates to create assessed values. Local taxing authorities certify mill levies that apply to those assessed values to produce your total tax bill.
- The Colorado Division of Property Taxation explains the full process and current assessment rates on its guide, Understanding Property Taxes in Colorado.
- For 2025, the state projects two residential assessment rates that create separate assessed values: 6.25 percent for local governments and 7.05 percent for school districts. You will see both used in the calculation.
Step-by-step formula
County sets Actual Value (market value). See the Adams County Assessor for process and notices.
Create assessed values using state rates:
- Local assessed value = Actual Value × 6.25 percent.
- School assessed value = Actual Value × 7.05 percent. Details are on the state’s Understanding Property Taxes page.
- Apply mill levies:
- Local taxes = Local assessed value × sum of local mills (county, city, special districts).
- School taxes = School assessed value × school district mills.
- Total tax = Local taxes + School taxes. Adams County outlines the process on its Property Assessment Process page.
Quick example (illustrative)
Assume a $500,000 home in a Westminster Adams County tax area.
- Local assessed value: $500,000 × 0.0625 = $31,250.
- School assessed value: $500,000 × 0.0705 = $35,250.
- In one Westminster tax area (Adams County Tax Area 555), the 2024 total mill levy was about 96.029 mills, with school mills near 59.445 and other local mills near 36.584. Using those mills, total tax would be about $3,238 for the year. See the county’s example report for Tax Area 555.
Important: Westminster spans multiple tax areas, and mills change each year. Always use the parcel’s current tax area report for accurate numbers.
Adams County deadlines and billing
Colorado property taxes are collected in arrears, so you pay the year after the value year. Adams County follows common state deadlines:
- Pay in two halves: first half due Feb 28 and second half due June 15.
- Or pay in full by April 30.
- Interest accrues on late payments, and the county may sell tax liens in the fall. See the county’s Due Dates page for details.
Colorado added a four‑installment option for certain taxpayers. Check annual rules and local implementation of HB25‑1199 on the Colorado General Assembly bill page and confirm current options with the county.
Find your exact Westminster tax numbers
Here is the fastest way to pull the numbers for a property in Westminster’s Adams County area:
- Look up the parcel. Use the county’s Property Look‑up to find the address or parcel number. Note the Actual Value, assessed values, and tax area.
- Open the tax area report. The county GIS tax district report lists each taxing authority and its mills for the year. You can sample the format using Tax Area 555. For your parcel, use its exact tax area.
- Apply the current assessment rates. The state’s guide, Understanding Property Taxes, explains the two residential rates used for 2025.
- Include special district mills. Parcels in metro or special districts can have added mills that meaningfully increase taxes. You can learn more about mills and special districts from the state’s resource on mill levies and the county’s Taxing Authorities.
Exemptions and relief you can use
Several programs can reduce or delay your property tax burden. Eligibility and funding vary by year, so review the official pages and county forms.
- Senior exemption. When funded, qualifying seniors may receive a 50 percent exemption on the first $200,000 of actual value. See county details on Exemptions.
- Disabled veteran exemptions. Partial exemptions are available for qualifying veterans and certain surviving spouses. See the county’s Exemptions page.
- State Property Tax Deferral. Eligible seniors, active military, and some owners facing high tax growth can defer part or all of taxes. Learn how it works on the State Treasurer’s Property Tax Deferral Programs page and watch for enrollment windows announced by the Treasury.
- Rebates and credits. Review statewide rebate and credit options on the DPT’s Rebates, Exemptions, and Deferrals page.
Buyer and seller tips in Westminster
A little preparation can save you surprises at closing.
- Plan for prorations. Colorado taxes are paid in arrears, so taxes are typically prorated between buyer and seller at closing. Title teams often use last year’s tax warrant or current values and mills. The county outlines valuation timing on its Property Assessment Process page.
- Watch for metro district and bond mills. These can materially increase annual taxes. Review the parcel’s tax area report to see every taxing authority and mill, such as the example for Tax Area 555.
- Know reappraisal timing. Colorado reappraises in odd‑numbered years, with Notices of Value mailed around May 1. If you disagree with value, the Adams County Assessor explains appeals and deadlines on the Assessor page.
- Understand midyear changes. If a sale happens during appeal season, confirm whether an appeal is planned or pending, since outcomes can affect future taxes.
Recent changes to know
Colorado passed laws that change how assessed values are calculated and how you can pay.
- Assessment rates and calculation updates. Recent legislation created dual residential assessment rates starting in 2025 for many cases. See HB24B‑1001 on the Colorado General Assembly site and the state’s explainer, Understanding Property Taxes.
- Payment flexibility. HB25‑1199 introduced a four‑installment option for eligible taxpayers. Review the bill text on the Colorado General Assembly and verify current county implementation.
Take the next step
If you want a clear read on what a specific Westminster home will owe and how that impacts your budget or net proceeds, reach out for a quick walkthrough. For neighborhood‑informed advice and a plan tailored to your goals, connect with Marie Jacobs (CO).
FAQs
How are Westminster property taxes calculated in Adams County?
- Your tax is the sum of local mills times your local assessed value plus school mills times your school assessed value, using the county’s actual value and the state’s residential assessment rates.
When are property taxes due in Adams County?
- Pay in two halves by Feb 28 and June 15 or in full by April 30, with interest on late payments as outlined on the county’s Due Dates page.
What are the 2025 residential assessment rates in Colorado?
- The state projects 6.25 percent for local governments and 7.05 percent for school districts, which produce two assessed values used in the calculation.
How do I appeal my property value in Adams County?
- Review your Notice of Value mailed around May 1 in reappraisal years and follow the Assessor’s appeal instructions within the posted deadline window.
Do metro district mills affect Westminster tax bills?
- Yes, metro and special district mills are added on top of county, city, and school mills, so review the parcel’s tax area report to see every levy that applies.
