Colorado— Property Tax & Closing Costs
2024 Census dataEffective tax rate
0.36%
of assessed value annually
Median home value
$1,139,100
2024 ACS survey
Median taxes paid
$4,074/yr
2024 data
Pitkin County's 0.36% effective property tax rate ranks 141st lowest among the 3,134 US counties tracked, placing it in the bottom 5% lowest nationally. Within Colorado's 64 counties, it's the 29th lowest. On the county's median home value of $1,139,100, the typical homeowner pays $4,074 annually in property tax — $2,445 more than the national median of $1,629. At closing, Colorado's 0.02% combined real estate transfer tax adds roughly $228 on a median-priced home, typically paid by the buyer.
Calculate your true cost
Enter any purchase price to see the full cost breakdown for Pitkin County.
County median: $1,139,100
Leave at $0 if the property has no homeowners association.
LTV: 80.00%
At closing
Monthly ongoing
Year one
Low flood risk. Flood insurance not typically required. Verify at msc.fema.gov for your specific property.
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 Pitkin 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 Pitkin County.
The effective property tax rate in Pitkin County is 0.36% — calculated as the median annual property tax paid ($4,074) divided by the median home value ($1,139,100), 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 Pitkin County home value of $1,139,100, this adds roughly $228 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.
Flood risk is relatively low. Only 0.8% of Pitkin County's land falls within a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area. Flood insurance is not typically required, though individual properties near waterways may still be in a zone — verify at msc.fema.gov.
Closing costs for a buyer in Pitkin County typically run $22,782–$56,955 (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 Pitkin County
Every figure on this page is traceable. Verify the numbers yourself against the original public data.
Source for the 0.36% 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 Pitkin 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 →