Otero County, Colorado Property Taxes

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Otero County, Colorado
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Otero County effective property tax rate: 0.47%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Otero County home value: $57,973
Median annual Otero County tax bill: $266, $2,134 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Otero County calculated?

Property taxes in Otero County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.

Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in La Junta or another part of Otero County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Otero County, Colorado Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

0.47%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$272

$253

Ownwell’s Otero County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Otero County with just two data points.

By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Otero County’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a more precise calculation for your property tax obligations.

This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Otero County.

For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Otero County, Colorado

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. This variation occurs because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process. Below, you can compare Otero County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Colorado or the U.S. median property tax rate. Otero County has a median property tax rate of 0.47%, which is significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%. Within Otero County, Swink boasts the highest median tax rate at 0.73%, while La Junta maintains the lowest at 0.47%. Understanding these differences can help property owners make informed decisions about potential tax liabilities and savings.

Property Tax Rates Across Otero County, Colorado

Source: Ownwell

0.47%

0.60%

0.73%

Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.

Median Effective Otero County Tax Rate

0.47%

Median Effective Colorado Tax Rate

0.55%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Otero County, Colorado

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Cheraw	0.27%	0.41%	0.53%	0.54%	1.16%
Fowler	0.29%	0.57%	0.58%	0.58%	0.99%
La Junta	0.23%	0.45%	0.47%	0.47%	0.47%
Manzanola	0.28%	0.37%	0.56%	0.56%	0.86%
Rocky Ford	0.30%	0.44%	0.59%	0.59%	0.60%
Swink	0.36%	0.46%	0.73%	0.73%	0.73%
Model	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Timpas	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Otero County, Colorado

When examining property taxes in Otero County, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Otero County Assessor's Office estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill. Assessment notices: In Otero County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Otero County. For example, the median tax bill in Otero County is $292, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Swink has the highest median home price at $91,870.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Otero County, Colorado

Source: Ownwell

$49,806

$71,015

$92,224

Median Otero County Market Value

$57,973

Median Colorado Market Value

$405,540

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Otero County, Colorado

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Cheraw	$2,195	$24,427	$54,815	$94,573	$162,279
Fowler	$23,811	$36,867	$65,488	$103,230	$168,310
La Junta	$13,854	$30,752	$56,569	$99,574	$156,796
Manzanola	$4,000	$24,400	$49,806	$85,160	$143,217
Rocky Ford	$18,333	$31,844	$56,369	$95,052	$146,087
Swink	$21,223	$44,309	$91,870	$140,929	$225,409
Model	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Timpas	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Otero County, Colorado

In Otero County, CO, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a property, which is a percentage of its market value. The tax rate is then applied to this assessed value to determine the final tax bill. Factors such as local government budgets, school district funding, and public services influence the tax rate, impacting the amount homeowners are required to pay annually. Homeowners in Otero County can expect a range of tax bills depending on their property's value. For instance, the 25th percentile tax bill is $146, while the 75th percentile reaches $484, and the 90th percentile climbs to $887. This variation highlights the influence of property value and location within the county. Swink, for example, has the highest median tax bill at $513, whereas Manzanola experiences the lowest at $218. Compared to the national median property tax bill of $2,400, Otero County's tax bills are significantly lower, offering some financial relief to homeowners in the region.

Property Tax Bills Across Otero County, Colorado

Source: Ownwell

$218

$366

$513

Median Otero County Tax Bill

$266

Median Colorado Tax Bill

$2,283

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Otero County, Colorado

City	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
Cheraw	$14	$115	$249	$486	$1,657
Fowler	$116	$189	$352	$614	$1,296
La Junta	$62	$132	$239	$422	$731
Manzanola	$22	$99	$218	$426	$983
Rocky Ford	$95	$159	$276	$484	$870
Swink	$119	$270	$513	$960	$1,800
Model	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Timpas	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell