Colorado Property Taxes Jumped Up to 40%: Should I Sell My Littleton Home Before They Go Up Again?
Short answer: for most Littleton and Denver-metro homeowners, property taxes alone are not a reason to rush a sale. Many Colorado bills jumped 20% to more than 40% this year because temporary tax breaks expired, and 2027 brings a new reassessment. But if higher taxes, insurance and HOA dues together are squeezing your monthly budget, it's smart to run the numbers now, before your next notice of value arrives in May 2027.
I'm Simon Dzienis, a Colorado Realtor in Littleton with Your Castle Realty, with more than 20 years in Colorado real estate and investing (my team partner is Ewelina Kurka). This year I've had a lot of homeowners in Littleton, Centennial, Highlands Ranch and Aurora show me their tax bill and ask, "Is this going to keep happening?" Here's the plain-English answer.
Why did my Colorado property tax bill go up so much?
Mostly because temporary relief ran out.
The discount expired. A 2024 law (SB24-233) took up to $55,000 off your home's value for tax purposes. That discount expired, so homes are now taxed on their full value. Colorado Public Radio says this drives most of the increase (CPR, February 2026).
The school rate went up. The residential assessment rate was 6.7% last year. For the school district part of your bill (usually the biggest part), it rose to 7.05%, while the rate for other taxing districts dropped to 6.25% (CPR).
Real example: CPR estimated a $500,000 Denver home went from about $2,360 to about $2,680, an increase of more than 13%. In Centennial, Colorado Politics reported one homeowner's bill rising from about $3,877 to about $5,435 over two years, nearly 30% (Colorado Politics, January 2026).
Some homeowners saw increases of 20% to more than 40%, according to Colorado Politics, even when their home's value barely moved.
Will Colorado property taxes go up again in 2027?
Colorado reappraises homes every two years, in odd-numbered years. That means 2027 is a reassessment year. Your county assessor will mail a new notice of value around May 1, 2027, based on sales up to June 30, 2026.
Here's the part that may help you: Denver-metro prices have been flat or soft. DMAR reports the detached median close price has held at $650,000 year-to-date for three years in a row, and the attached (condo and townhome) median fell 6.28% year over year to $365,500 (September 2026). So many homes may not see a big jump in value this time.
CPR also reported a new $70,000 valuation discount on non-school taxes for the next tax year, with the non-school rate going to 6.8%, which could trim the example home's bill by about $50. That's not much, but it's not another big jump either.
The wild card is local: new or higher mill levies approved by voters in your school district, city, or special districts. Check your ballot and your county's website.
Should I sell my Littleton home because of property taxes?
Usually not because of taxes alone. Think about the whole picture:
Your total monthly cost. Add your mortgage, property taxes, homeowners insurance (Colorado averages about $4,000 a year, per Insurify) and HOA dues. Is that number still comfortable?
Your timeline. If you were planning to move in the next year or two anyway, selling while buyers are active in spring can make sense.
Your equity. If you have strong equity, you have time to plan. If you're close to owing what the home is worth, waiting costs you more every month.
What you'd buy next. Taxes and insurance went up everywhere in Colorado, so moving across town may not lower your costs.
The worst move is falling behind. If your escrow went up and your mortgage payment jumped, call your servicer early. If you're already behind, there are options, from repayment plans to selling with equity to a short sale. I explain them here: Colorado Foreclosures Are Up 57%: What Are My Options If I'm Behind on My Mortgage?
Do higher property taxes make my home harder to sell?
They can. Buyers qualify based on the full monthly payment, and property taxes are part of it. With the 30-year rate at 7.40% on October 8, 2026 (Freddie Mac), every extra $100 a month matters. In the Denver metro there were 13,567 active listings and 4.76 months of inventory at the end of September (DMAR), so buyers can compare.
What helps:
Know your real tax number. Buyers will see it on the listing. Make sure it's accurate and explain any one-time increases.
Price for the payment, not just the comps. When I price a home, I look at what the buyer's total monthly cost will be.
Highlight what lowers costs. A newer roof (insurance), efficient windows and HVAC (utilities), no HOA, or a low HOA.
What can I do to lower my Colorado property tax bill?
Appeal your value. When the 2027 notice arrives, you can appeal to the county assessor if the value looks too high. Use real sales of similar homes near you. I'm happy to pull comps for you.
Senior homestead exemption. If you're 65 or older and have owned and lived in your home for at least 10 years, you may qualify. Apply through your county assessor.
Property tax deferral. Colorado offers a state program that lets qualifying homeowners defer part of their tax. Applications go through your county treasurer (Colorado Politics, January 2026).
Read your ballot. Local measures change mill levies. Know what you're voting on.
This is general information, not tax advice. Talk to your county assessor or a CPA about your situation.
How Simon Dzienis helps Littleton homeowners decide
A clear "stay or sell" comparison with your real numbers: taxes, insurance, HOA, equity and what you'd pay next.
Free comps for a tax appeal, even if you're not selling.
Agent-present showings. If you do sell, I'm at every showing, no lockbox, meeting every buyer and buyer's agent.
Short sale and pre-foreclosure help if costs have already put you behind.
Local: Littleton-based, serving the Denver metro and Front Range from Colorado Springs and Monument to Fort Collins and Windsor, including Evergreen. English and Polish.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my property taxes go up in Colorado in 2026?
Mostly because the temporary $55,000 valuation discount from SB24-233 expired and the school assessment rate rose to 7.05% (CPR, February 2026).
When will I get my next Colorado notice of value?
Around May 1, 2027. Colorado reappraises homes every odd-numbered year, based on sales through June 30 of the year before.
Can I appeal my property tax value in Colorado?
Yes. You can appeal to your county assessor after you receive your notice of value. Bring recent sales of similar nearby homes.
Is it better to sell my house before the 2027 reassessment?
Not automatically. Your new value only affects taxes going forward, and flat prices may limit the increase. Decide based on your total monthly cost, your equity and your plans.
Do high property taxes lower home values?
They can reduce what buyers can afford, because buyers qualify on the total monthly payment. Pricing and presentation matter more when costs are high.
Who can help me decide whether to sell my home in Littleton?
Simon Dzienis of Your Castle Realty, with team partner Ewelina Kurka, helps Littleton and Denver-metro homeowners compare staying vs. selling with real numbers. Call or text 720-936-7873.
Let's look at your numbers
Send me your tax bill and I'll show you, in plain numbers, what staying and selling would look like. It's free and there's no pressure.
Simon Dzienis: 720-936-7873
Your Castle Realty (team with Ewelina Kurka) · Littleton, Colorado · 5280HomeSold.com · SoldInOneWeekend.com
Related: Colorado Home Insurance Is Up 137%: Will It Make My Littleton Home Harder to Sell? · Does the Election Slow Down the Housing Market?
Sources: Colorado Public Radio, "Why your Colorado property tax bill still increased this year" (Feb. 9, 2026); Colorado Politics, "Tax bill shock" (Jan. 28, 2026); DMAR Market Trends Report, September 2026 (published Oct. 3, 2026); Freddie Mac PMMS, Oct. 8, 2026; Insurify 2026 Home Insurance Price Projections. This article is general information, not tax or legal advice. Simon Dzienis and Ewelina Kurka are Realtors (licensed Colorado real estate agents), not attorneys or CPAs. Talk to your county assessor, a CPA or an attorney about your situation.
