Colorado— Property Tax & Closing Costs
2024 Census dataEffective tax rate
0.45%
of assessed value annually
Median home value
$616,000
2024 ACS survey
Median taxes paid
$2,751/yr
2024 data
Denver County's 0.45% effective property tax rate ranks 334th lowest among the 3,134 US counties tracked, placing it in the bottom 25% lowest nationally. Within Colorado's 64 counties, it's the 19th highest. On the county's median home value of $616,000, the typical homeowner pays $2,751 annually in property tax — $1,122 more than the national median of $1,629. At closing, Colorado's 0.02% combined real estate transfer tax adds roughly $123 on a median-priced home, typically paid by the buyer. FEMA data shows 47.3% of Denver County's land area falls within a Special Flood Hazard Area — a very high exposure level. Flood insurance is required for federally-backed mortgages in those zones and commonly adds $800–$3,000 per year.
Calculate your true cost
Enter any purchase price to see the full cost breakdown for Denver County.
County median: $616,000
Leave at $0 if the property has no homeowners association.
LTV: 80.00%
At closing
Monthly ongoing
Year one
Very high flood risk — over 30% of this county lies in a FEMA flood zone. Flood insurance is required for any federally-backed mortgage in the SFHA. Check your property at msc.fema.gov.
All figures are estimates for planning purposes only. Mortgage payment assumes a 30-year fixed rate of 6.8% — your lender will confirm the actual rate. Closing costs vary by lender and transaction. Consult a licensed real estate attorney and lender before making any financial decisions.
Colorado property tax exemptions
Ways buyers in Denver County may reduce their annual property tax. These programs apply statewide; verify county specifics with your local assessor.
Senior Homestead Exemption
Exempts 50% of the first $200,000 of actual value for homeowners 65+ with 10+ consecutive years ownership and occupancy. Subject to annual state budget approval.
View official source →Disabled Veteran Exemption
Exempts 50% of the first $200,000 of actual value for veterans with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability. No age requirement.
View official source →Gold Star Spouses Exemption
Surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty receive the same 50% of first $200,000 exemption as disabled veterans.
View official source →Last verified 2026-04. Exemption amounts and eligibility change frequently — always confirm with your county assessor before claiming.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about buying a home in Denver County.
The effective property tax rate in Denver County is 0.45% — calculated as the median annual property tax paid ($2,751) divided by the median home value ($616,000), using 2024 US Census ACS 5-year estimates. Your actual bill depends on your purchase price, homestead or senior exemptions, and any special assessments applied in your taxing district.
Colorado's combined real estate transfer tax is approximately 0.02% of the purchase price. On the median Denver County home value of $616,000, this adds roughly $123 at closing. Colorado is unusual — buyer pays the $0.02/$100 (0.02%) Documentary Fee, not the seller. 12 home-rule municipalities impose their own transfer taxes of 1–3% (Aspen, Avon, Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Frisco, Gypsum, Ophir, Snowmass Village, Telluride, Vail, Winter Park). Statewide prohibition on new local transfer taxes since 1992 constitutional amendment.
Yes, substantially. FEMA National Risk Index data shows 47.3% of Denver County's land area falls within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Flood insurance is required for any federally-backed mortgage on a property inside an SFHA and commonly adds $800–$3,000 per year. Check your specific property's flood zone at msc.fema.gov before buying.
Closing costs for a buyer in Denver County typically run $12,320–$30,800 (2–5% of purchase price) on a median-priced home, including title insurance ($800–$2,000), appraisal ($400–$700), home inspection ($350–$600), recording fees ($100–$300), and loan origination (0.5–1.0% of the loan amount). Use the calculator above for a specific estimate at your purchase price.
Data sources for Denver County
Every figure on this page is traceable. Verify the numbers yourself against the original public data.
Source for the 0.45% effective property tax rate, median home value, and median taxes paid (ACS 5-year, 2024 vintage).
Source for county-level flood zone exposure, wildfire risk, and other natural hazard ratings. Updated quarterly by FEMA.
Look up a specific property's flood zone and insurance rate map before making an offer on a home in Denver County.
Guides for Colorado home buyers
What every buyer should read before making an offer.
HOA Documents
HOA lawsuits — how to check for pending litigation against your future HOA before you close
A buyer closed on a house and only then found out about ongoing HOA lawsuits. Six checks you can run yourself before your contingencies expire.
Read the guide →HOA Documents
Undisclosed HOA special assessment — what you can do if you find out after closing
HOA special assessment not on the disclosure? One buyer got a $15,000 bill the day after closing. How to catch it before — and what to do after.
Read the guide →