WHAT IS THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION?
If you disagree with the Assessor’s Notice of Determination, you may choose to appeal that decision to the County Board of Equalization.
In Douglas County, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) sits as the County Board of Equalization (CBOE). The mission of the CBOE is to assure just and equalized property tax assessments.
A taxpayer may choose to appeal the decision of the Assessor’s Office to the CBOE. In order to process appeals within the State’s statutory time limits, the BOCC appoints Hearing Officers to preside over hearings and to make recommendations to the CBOE.
HOW DO I FILE AN APPEAL?
If you choose to appeal to the CBOE:
- Complete and sign the back of the Notice of Determination. This entire document is the official CBOE appeal petition.
- Mail or drop off the original document to the CBOE.
- Keep a copy, front and back.
Mail or drop off petitions to:
Douglas County Board of Equalization
100 Third Street
Castle Rock, CO 80104
Petitions must be postmarked or dropped off by September 15, 2011.
You may submit your petition as soon as you decide to appeal, and submit all or part of your evidence at a later date. Be sure to include two copies of all documentation.
WHAT MUST I INCLUDE?
IMPORTANT: Please be sure to include the following with your petition. Attach extra sheets, if necessary:
- Your signature. The petition is not valid without a signature.
- Your estimate of the value of your property.
- Two copies of any evidence supporting your petition. Evidence previously submitted to the Assessor must be resubmitted to the CBOE. The CBOE is not affiliated with the Assessor’s Office.
- The dates and times you are unavailable to attend a hearing.
Hearings will be held in September and October. - A letter of agency or Appointment of Agency Form signed by you if:
- An agent or attorney is filing the petition for you -OR-
- You do not plan to be at your hearing, but you do plan to be represented by someone who is not an owner of the property.
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE NOTICE OF MY HEARING?
You will receive a letter via U.S. Mail a few days after you have turned in your Notice of Determination indicating that you would like to appeal your property valuation. This letter will include your hearing date, time, & the location of the hearing. Because we must adhere to statutory deadlines, it may be necessary to give you short notice of your hearing date. Some taxpayers may receive as few as three days notice. It is advisable to begin preparing your case as soon as you decide to appeal. Do not wait for your hearing notice or you may not have enough time to gather evidence.
HOW DO I OBTAIN MY CBOE DOCUMENTS?
Please click on the link below to access your valuation summary report as provided by the Douglas County Assessor's Office for this CBOE protest period.
http://apps.douglas.co.us/cboe/
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE THE DECISION OF THE CBOE?
Hearings will conclude by October 31. The CBOE will meet after all the hearings are completed to consider the Hearing Officers’ recommendations and to render final decisions. Letters will be mailed to the taxpayers advising them of the outcome of their appeals, no later than November 7.
Accompanying each letter will be complete information about the options available to further appeal the decision of the CBOE and how to proceed.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION ADMINISTRATION
The Clerk to the Board of Equalization oversees the CBOE appeals. It is the clerk's responsibility to:
- Interview, select, and contract with qualified hearing officers.
- Ensure that all state required paperwork has been submitted.
- Schedule hearings.
Our goal is for you, the taxpayer, to have full access to the appeal system.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For administrative questions (filing petitions, scheduling hearings) contact:
Douglas County Clerk to the Board of Equalization
Phone: 303.660.7302
Fax: 303.688.1293
For questions about the valuation of your property, contact:
The Douglas County Assessor
Phone: 303.660.7450
Fax: 303.660.1429