HB 26-1233

HB 26-1233, a Colorado bill that's now signed into law, introduces penalties for nonresidential property owners who provide false information or fail to report accurate details about their properties when asked by the county. Starting from January 1, 2026, these owners could face civil fines and petty offenses if they intentionally misreport or delay providing necessary information. The bill also allows for appeals related to property valuation to be moved from a local board of assessment appeals to district court under certain conditions, giving more options for resolving disputes. Additionally, it states that nonresidential property owners who engage in misconduct during the appeal process may lose their right to interest on any tax refunds they receive. This bill affects businesses and other entities owning nonresidential properties in Colorado.

Official Summary

For property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2027, the act makes it a petty offense for a person, in connection with nonresidential property, to certify the truth and accuracy of information provided to the assessor in connection with property valuation when the information is not true and accurate as to every material matter. The act also makes it a petty offense for a person, in connection with nonresidential property, to willfully aid or assist in filing information that is fraudulent or false in connection with property valuation. The act specifies the sentencing requirements for a person convicted of a petty offense pursuant to the act and authorizes the county attorney to file and prosecute any action arising under the act in the county court of the county in which the property is located. If a court of competent jurisdiction finds that a taxpayer committed a petty offense pursuant to the act, the property owner is not entitled to penalty interest earned on any tax refund; the board of assessment appeals does not have the authority to determine whether a taxpayer has forfeited this right.     Existing law requires a petitioner appealing either a valuation of rent-producing commercial real property to the board of assessment appeals or a denial of an abatement of taxes to the board of county commissioners to provide certain information to the board of equalization or to the board of county commissioners. The act requires the petitioner to provide information that is specific to the property at issue.      For property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2027, the act allows a county to file a motion with the board of assessment appeals noting the county's preference that a case appealing a decision of the board of assessment appeals be heard in district court. The act allows the petitioner to elect whether the case will be heard by the board of assessment appeals or the district court.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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