How to Search for Denver Property Records

Property records are public records, and anyone can access them at any time. They contain volumes of helpful information, such as property ownership history, deeds, encumbrances, liens, foreclosures, mortgages, and more. The key is knowing where to look. Use the public resources listed below to find the records you need.

City of Denver Property Information

The City of Denver Property Information Department is a great resource to check out. They have a website devoted to providing information about property within the city. You can find zoning information, maps, assessments, taxes, neighborhood sales, property values, and more.

Denver Property Taxation and Assessment Office

If you are interested in taxes, assessments, and liens, you will want to visit the Denver Property Taxation and Assessment Office. They have set up a search portal where you can find property details. You can search by property address or schedule number.

Denver Public Library

You may also want to search the Denver Public Library for public property records. They have some archived files and more recent filings. Try the "Research" button on the main menu to get started.

Colorado CAD Property Search

The state of Colorado also created a search portal called the Colorado CAD Property Search. Users can search for properties by owner name, address, parcel ID, or advanced search criteria.

Denver County Court

Another place to look is the Denver County Court, where you can find property-related cases and those that include buildings. Look for liens, foreclosures, bankruptcies, property dispute cases, divorces, and probate court matters that involve property.

Denver property taxes pay for city services such as road maintenance, parks, transportation, schools, medical services, bridges, water/sewer, fire, police, and emergency services. Despite the wide variety of services provided, Denver property taxes are considered low, with the average homeowner paying about $2,447 a year. Taxes are due twice a year, on the last day of February and then again on June 15th. You can pay your taxes online, by mail, or in person at the office located at 201 W. Colfax Ave., Department 1009, 80202. Use the property tax search portal to find your tax bill or liens on property throughout the city.

Assessments

The Denver City Assessor's Office evaluates every property within city limits and determines its value each year. On May 1st, notices of these values are sent out to every property owner. If a property owner believes it is in error, they can protest the amount by following the instructions within the notice. The Assessor's Office uses five teams to assess property based on type. For example:

• Attached Housing values Condominiums, Townhouses, and Row Houses
• Commercial & Industrial values all Non-residential Properties except land
• High Density values Land, Multifamily Dwellings and Apartments
• Residential East values Single Family Detached Houses located East of Colorado Blvd
• Residential West values Single Family Detached Houses West of Colorado Blvd

Appraisals

Where tax officials use assessments, others use appraisals to determine property value. Most often, they are used by lenders who must ensure the home's value supports the mortgage loan. A certified appraiser will use an approved method of comparing similar home sales in the local area to determine the property's value. Others, like estate planners and probate courts, also use appraisers.

Tax Rates

The Denver Property Tax Department is the office with all the property records pertaining to municipal taxes. Using their website, you can search for lien properties, taxes, assessed values, and more. The median property tax rate in Denver is 0.62%, which is significantly lower than the national average of 0.99%. Denver taxes are higher than most other counties in the state of Colorado. For example:

• Adams County 0.61%
• Denver County 0.45%
• Dolores County 0.22%
• Douglas County 0.55%
• Eagle County 0.40%
• Mesa County 0.40%

Exemptions

The Denver Property Tax Relief Program provides programs and discounts for specific individuals to help lower their property tax bills. They have a property tax refund program where residents can get a $372 up to $1,000 rebate. Then, they have exemptions for qualified individuals. Some of the available exemptions include:

• Veteran with a Disability Property Tax Exemption
• Senior Citizens Property Tax Exemption
• Gold Star Spouse of a Veteran with a Disability Property Tax Exemption

Cities like Denver have strict building codes to keep people safe. You must apply for a building permit before building a new residential or commercial building, demolishing a structure, or renovating a home or building. The City and County of Denver's Community Planning and Development Department issues permits to contractors and homeowners. They have an E-permits Portal where you can apply online, check the status, and even schedule your inspections. Some of the types of permits you can apply for in Denver include:

• Residential Building Permit
• Commercial Construction Permit
• Boiler and Commercial A/C
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Mechanical
• Roofing & Siding
• Wastewater
• Encroachment Permits
• Zoning
• Fire Department

Most construction projects require a meeting with the building inspector before beginning work. Routine inspections throughout the project are also needed to ensure the work meets the current building and safety codes.

The population of Denver, Colorado, is 716,577. Denver is an old city dating back to the Old West. The city has 366,971 housing units. Seattle has a severe housing shortage, and the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) predicts that the city will need at least 500,000 more housing units by the year 2050. Denver's different types of housing units include single-family units, duplexes, townhouses, row houses, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), public housing, and assisted housing. The Denver Housing Authority provides housing for low-income families. The average home price in Denver is $577,350, a 5.35% increase from previous years. However, the price differs based on where in the city you live. For example:

• Five Points (80205) $650,000
• Highland (80218) $855,000
• Central Park (80238) $785,273
• North Park Hill (80207) $660,168
• Capitol Hill (80203) $327,500
• Windsor (80550) $250,000
• Hampden South (80237) $410,000
• Speer (80209) $419.3K
• North Aurora (80010) $402,156
• East Colfax (80207) $424,077
• Morris Heights (80207) $430,804
• Delmar Parkway (80011) $379,756

The median price per square foot is $372, and an average of 3,173 homes are on the market at any given time. Houses stay on the market for an average of 42 days.