How To Search for Colorado Springs Property Records

Property records provide information about land ownership, property boundaries, tax assessments, building permits, legal filings, and other crucial details that can help investors, buyers, homeowners, and real estate professionals make informed decisions. In Colorado Springs, these records are public records, meaning that they can generally be viewed and copied by anyone. However, knowing the right place to look is key to accessing the required information. We have provided a detailed list of resources below to help you search for and locate various Colorado Springs property records.

El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's Office

The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's Office is a good source for official real estate records, including deeds, liens, mortgages, bills of sale, and other related documents. The clerk and recorder's office offers a records search portal that can be used to access these records online. Searches are primarily done by name and may be filtered using parameters like date filed, document type, property details, and more. Official copies of these records may also be obtained in person at the office's recording department located at 1675 West Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907. Note that you may be charged a fee for these records. You can call (719) 520-6200 or send an email to recweb@elpasoco.com for more information.

El Paso County Assessor's Office

The El Paso County Assessor is the primary source for property ownership and valuation data in Colorado Springs. This office's primary duty is to find, list, and classify all property in the county, determine how much each property is worth, and how much of it is taxable. Most records maintained by the Assessor's office are readily available to the general public, and its parcel search tool is a great resource for getting information like property values, ownership details, sales histories, tax details, and market and assessment details online. You can filter searches on the tool by owner name, address, or schedule/parcel number. You may also visit the office at Suite 2300, 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907, to obtain property records. For assistance, you can call (719) 520-6600 before visiting.

El Paso County Treasurer's Office

The El Paso County Treasurer is responsible for collecting all property taxes in Colorado Springs. You can view property tax statements, search for payment history, see if there are any outstanding taxes on a property, and also make necessary tax payments using this office's real estate property tax search platform. If the desired records are not available online, you can visit the Treasurer's office at Suite 2100, 1675 West Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 to access these records in person. Note that you may be charged a copy fee.

El Paso County Combined Courts

You can also find property-related records that involve legal disputes or judicial actions, like foreclosures, liens, partition actions, code enforcement actions, and other civil judgments that may affect a property's title, through the El Paso County Combined Courts. Copies of these records may be obtained for a fee by completing and submitting a Record/Document Request Form online or by contacting the court clerk's office in person at Room S101, 270 S. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

Colorado Springs Real Estate Services Division

The Real Estate Services Division of the Colorado Springs City Attorney's Office is responsible for maintaining records of all city-owned property and real estate transactions involving public-initiated projects. You can use the division's City Owned Property Viewer to search for these records. You can also get details on city-owned properties, easements, and other related information by calling (719) 385-5920 or visiting the division at Suite 502, 30 S. Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

Property tax revenue in Colorado Springs is crucial for funding local services like fire and police departments, public schools, community colleges, road maintenance, parks, and public transportation. The El Paso County Assessor is responsible for classifying and assessing all property in Colorado Springs to determine the value and ensure that everyone pays their fair share of taxes based on what their property is worth. Once this has been done, the El Paso County Treasurer then sends out bills and collects the calculated taxes from property owners.

Property values in Colorado Springs are reassessed every two years, and taxes are collected one year in arrears, meaning that the tax bill you receive in one year is for the taxes you owe for the previous year. Full payments are due by April 30th for amounts of $25 or less. However, the Treasurer's office offers an option of two equal payments for amounts that are more than $25, with the first half payment due on the last day of February and the second half payment due by June 17th. Partial payments are not accepted, and if your payment is late, a 1% interest charge will be added each month until it is paid. In situations where a property owner fails to pay their taxes, the County Treasurer places a tax lien on the delinquent property and enforces the payment through a tax lien sale, which is held annually. You can pay your property taxes in person at the Treasurer's Office at Suite 2100, 1675 West Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907. Payments may be made via credit or debit card; however, tax lien payments must be made by cash, money order, or cashier's check. Current year taxes may also be made online via credit card, debit card, or electronic check.

Assessments

The El Paso County Assessor's office conducts assessments to determine the value of real property in Colorado Springs for tax purposes. Property values and taxes are reassessed every two years, specifically in odd-numbered years. In the even-numbered years between reassessments, the taxes remain the same unless there has been a change to the property that affects its value or use. A property's assessed value is determined by multiplying its market value (also known as its actual value) by an appropriate, state-determined assessment rate. If you disagree with your property's assessed value, you can file an appeal with the El Paso County Assessor's office. The official appeal period is May 1st to June 9th, and appeals can be made online or in writing using the back of your Notice of Valuation (available submission options are provided on the document).

Appraisals

An appraisal is the formal valuation of a property to get an accurate estimate of its value. Residential properties in Colorado Springs are appraised using a market value approach, which involves comparing the property to similar homes that have recently sold nearby. For non-residential property, the cost approach (estimating the cost of rebuilding the property from scratch) and the income approach (calculating the amount of income the property can generate) are also considered. In cases involving unusual structures or newly built property, the county might bring in a professional appraiser to determine the value. Estate planners, courts, and lenders also use appraisals to determine the value of real property.

Tax Rates

Colorado Springs has a median effective property tax rate of 0.41%, which is significantly lower than the national median of 1.02% and also lower than the Colorado state median of 0.55%. Colorado Springs' average property tax rate is $1,334, which is $1,066 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

Here's a look at how Colorado Springs's property tax rates compare to those of other counties in Colorado:

• Adams County 0.57%
• Arapahoe County 0.70%
• Cheyenne County 0.66%
• Fremont County 0.55%
• Grand County 0.46%
• Jefferson County 0.66%
• La Plata County 0.25%
• Lincoln County 0.60%
• Pueblo County 0.69%
• Rio Grande County 0.45%
• Washington County 0.30%
• Yuma County 0.67%

Exemptions

Although Colorado Springs' property tax rates are relatively low compared to the national average, they can still be somewhat pricey and challenging for some residents to manage. Thankfully, El Paso County offers a number of exemption programs that can provide significant relief for certain homeowners. These include:

• Senior Property Tax Exemption (also known as Senior Homestead Exemption): This is available for qualifying homeowners who are at least 65 years old and have owned and lived in their home for at least 10 consecutive years.
• Disabled Veteran Tax Exemption: This is available for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability.
• Gold Star Spouse Exemption: This is for the surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty.

These programs provide a 50% exemption on the first $200,000 of the actual value of the qualifying homeowner's primary residence. You can apply for these exemptions through the El Paso County Assessor's Office.

Most building and construction projects in Colorado Springs require permits and inspections to ensure that the work is up to code. However, exceptions are usually made for cosmetic improvements to property, like painting, installing flooring, replacing kitchen cabinets, and building low fences (not more than six feet in height). The permitting process is handled by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD) and can be initiated online (you will need to create either a free or premium Regional Building Department web account for this). Information on permit exemptions, plan reviews, required inspections, and applicable fees is also available online. If you prefer an in-person visit, you can do this at either the PPRBD's Main Office, located at the Pikes Peak Regional Development Center, 2880 International Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80910, or its north office at 3939 Cordera Crest Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80924.

The PPRBD offers a variety of permits for projects ranging from new construction to minor alterations. These permits are generally grouped into two main categories:

• Building Permits: These are needed for new construction, additions, and significant alterations to a building's structure.

• Specialized Permits: These are required for work on specific systems within a property, and include:

  • Electrical Permits: For electrical work, including new wiring, fixtures, and service panels.
  • Plumbing Permits: For work on water lines, drain lines, plumbing fixtures, and other plumbing-related work.
  • Mechanical Permits: For work on HVAC systems, furnaces, and other mechanical equipment.

When applying for any of these permits, you must submit the proper documentation (building plans, blueprints, contractor licenses, materials lists, etc.). You must also pay the appropriate fee.

Building inspections are part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours.

Colorado Springs is a vibrant city known for its stunning natural landscapes. It is also home to several military installations and Olympic organizations and facilities, earning it the nickname "Olympic City, USA". All these contribute to the city's strong job market and stable housing demand.

Colorado Springs, CO, has a population of 493,554 residents. The city has 200,855 housing units, with about 190,219 of these units occupied and 10,636 vacant, indicating an occupancy rate of nearly 95%. The city also offers a mix of urban and suburban living with a diverse range of housing options, including single-family homes, townhouses, condos, apartments, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Some of the styles include Victorian, Ranch, Craftsman, Mountain Modern, Tudor Revival, Contemporary, and Pueblo Revival homes.

Colorado Springs, CO, has an average home price of $455,747, representing a 2.4% decrease from the past year. However, actual home values may vary considerably depending on the neighborhood in the city. Here are examples of some house prices in different Colorado Springs neighborhoods:

• Central Colorado Springs $370,376
• Cimarron Hills $400,253
• East Colorado Springs $395,167
• Falcon $475,229
• Old Colorado City $398,700
• Southeast Colorado Springs $336,490
• Southwest Colorado Springs $583,138

Overall, the Colorado Springs, Colorado, real estate market is a strong and attractive option for buyers. Despite the slight decrease in home values year-over-year, the market remains moderately active and desirable. Homes are typically under contract within 23 days of being listed, and about 28.3% of houses are sold over the listing price.