HB 17-1049

House Bill 17-1049, which has been signed into law, changes how property tax refunds work in Colorado. If a homeowner pays too much in property taxes due to an error and misses the deadline to protest the valuation, they can still request a refund for up to two years after the start of the property tax year. However, this bill delays when interest on that refund starts accruing—it now begins from the date the refund petition is filed rather than earlier. This affects homeowners who might have overpaid due to errors and are seeking refunds with interest. Since it has been signed, the law is in effect and impacts how these refund requests are processed by county commissioners.

Official Summary

If property taxes are levied erroneously or illegally and a taxpayer has not protested the valuation within the time permitted by law, then the taxpayer has 2 years from the start of the property tax year to file a petition for abatement or refund. The board of county commissioners is required to abate the taxes, and the taxpayer is entitled to a refund for the incorrect amount and, in some circumstances, refund interest equal to 1% per month. The bill delays the start of the refund interest so that it accrues from the date a complete abatement petition is filed, with the exception of an abatement or refund for taxes paid as a result of omitted property being added to the assessment roll. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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