Arapahoe County, CO Property Tax: $2,767/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Arapahoe County is 0.53% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $526,000, that works out to about $2,788 per year, or $232 per month. Arapahoe County is located in central Colorado, and is home to approximately 655,709 residents.
About Arapahoe County
Arapahoe County covers approximately 797.9 square miles in Colorado. The county is home to about 655,709 residents living in roughly 265,980 housing units, of which 62.2% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $97,215, and the median home was built in 1985.
Arapahoe County borders Adams County, Denver County, Douglas County, Elbert County, Jefferson County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Colorado
Property taxes in Colorado are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in Colorado offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Arapahoe County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Arapahoe County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arapahoe County, CO | 0.53% | $526,000 | $2,788 |
| Colorado state average | 0.39% | — | $2,051* |
| Adams County | 0.60% | $458,400 | $2,770 |
| Denver County | 0.44% | $586,700 | $2,596 |
| Douglas County | 0.55% | $674,000 | $3,707 |
| Elbert County | 0.45% | $664,600 | $2,981 |
| Jefferson County | 0.47% | $604,400 | $2,867 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Arapahoe County's median home value of $526,000. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Arapahoe County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Colorado?
At 0.53%, Arapahoe County is higher than the Colorado state average of 0.39%. On a home at the county median of $526,000, that means about $2,788 per year — versus $2,051 at the state average rate, a difference of $737 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Arapahoe County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Arapahoe County?
For a home at the county median value of $526,000, the annual property tax in Arapahoe County is approximately $2,788 — or about $232 per month. For a home worth $789,000, expect around $4,182 per year. For a $1,052,000 home, approximately $5,576 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Arapahoe County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Arapahoe County are handled by the Arapahoe County Assessor's office. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Arapahoe County?
Colorado counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 0.53% shown here. Contact the Arapahoe County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File