2026 Property Tax Increases in Colorado Springs & Teller County: What Buyers and Sellers Should Know

Why Did Property Tax Bills Jump So Much in the Pikes Peak Area This Year?

Some Colorado Springs homeowners saw their 2026 property tax bill come in up to 40% higher than the year before — not because their home suddenly became more valuable, but because temporary valuation discounts from 2022–2024 expired at the same time school districts started being assessed at a different rate than everyone else. The El Paso County Assessor himself called the resulting system "extremely confusing." If you're buying or selling in the $500,000–$700,000 range right now, this is worth understanding before you budget a monthly payment or price a listing.

By Jason Roshek | August 25, 2026

Property taxes rarely make headlines. This year, they did.

Homeowners across the Pikes Peak area opened their bills expecting a modest increase and found something much bigger. One Colorado Springs homeowner, a handyman with more than 30 years in the trade, put it simply: his property taxes had "gone crazy," and between insurance, utilities, and his mortgage, it was starting to threaten his ability to retire.

If you're buying or selling here, this isn't background noise. It changes what a home actually costs to own, and it's changing how buyers evaluate a purchase.

What Actually Happened

This wasn't a normal, gradual tax increase. A few things landed at once:

• Temporary valuation discounts expired. Colorado gave homeowners a valuation discount that grew from $15,000 in 2022 up to $55,000 by 2024. That discount is being replaced in 2026 with a different structure — a 10% reduction off valuation, capped at $70,000 — and the transition between the two systems is part of what's driving confusion and, for some homeowners, a real increase.
• School districts are now assessed differently. For the first time, school district assessment rates (7.05%) diverge from the rate used for other taxing districts (6.25%). Depending on which district your property falls in, that alone can shift your bill.
• Valuations reflect a snapshot in time, not today. Colorado assesses property values based on data from roughly two years prior, so your 2026 bill may reflect a market moment that doesn't match what's happening on your street right now — in either direction.

Put together, this is exactly the kind of change that a county assessor would call "extremely confusing" — because it is. It's not a single clean number moving up or down; it's several separate mechanisms shifting at once.

What This Means If You're Buying

If you're evaluating a home in the $500,000–$700,000 range in Colorado Springs, Monument, or Fountain, the property tax line in your monthly payment estimate deserves more than a quick glance this year.

A few things worth doing before you get too far into a search:

• Don't assume last year's tax bill is this year's tax bill. With discounts expiring and assessment rates shifting, a home's prior property tax amount may not be a reliable guide to what you'll actually pay.
• Check which taxing districts apply to a specific property, especially the school district, since that rate is now different from other districts. Your lender's estimate will use current figures, but it's worth confirming those numbers reflect the 2026 changes rather than an older baseline.
• Factor property taxes into your full monthly number, not just principal and interest. In a market where interest rates are already elevated, an underestimated tax line can throw off your budget more than people expect.

I've written before about what you can realistically buy for your budget in the Pikes Peak area — property taxes are one more piece of that budget picture worth nailing down early, not after you're under contract.

What This Means If You're Selling

If you're getting ready to list, expect buyers to ask sharper questions about property taxes than they have in past years — and expect some of them to have done their own research on the recent increases before they even tour your home.

Here's what's worth handling ahead of time:

• Know your own numbers. If your assessed value changed significantly, or your tax bill jumped, be ready to explain why in plain terms — buyers who understand the broader county-wide shift are less likely to assume something is uniquely wrong with your property.
• Understand the appeal process, even if you're not appealing. Both El Paso County and Teller County run their own Notice of Valuation and Board of Equalization appeal process, on their own timelines. If a buyer asks whether your valuation could be successfully appealed, it helps to know the answer rather than guessing.
• Don't let tax confusion become a pricing distraction. A property's tax situation is one input among many. It shouldn't override a clear-eyed look at comparable sales and current market conditions when you're setting your price.

This is exactly the kind of detail I walk sellers through as part of getting a home ready to list — it fits naturally alongside the broader conversation about how to price a home right in this market.

A Quick Note on County Differences

El Paso County and Teller County each run their own assessor's office, their own valuation timelines, and their own appeal processes. A property tax conversation about a home in Colorado Springs isn't automatically the same conversation as one about a property in Woodland Park or Divide — the underlying mechanics (assessment rates, mill levies, appeal deadlines) can differ by jurisdiction, which is one more reason a countywide news headline doesn't always translate directly to your specific property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my property tax bill go up so much this year if my home's value didn't change much?

Much of the increase for many Pikes Peak-area homeowners came from a structural shift, not just market value changes — temporary valuation discounts from 2022–2024 expired and were replaced with a different discount structure in 2026, and school districts began being assessed at a different rate than other taxing districts for the first time.

Can I appeal my property tax valuation in El Paso or Teller County?

Yes. Both counties run their own Notice of Valuation and Board of Equalization appeal process, though the specific timelines and procedures are set independently by each county's assessor's office. It's worth checking your specific county's current process directly, since appeal windows are time-sensitive.

How should I factor property taxes into my home buying budget?

Don't rely on a home's prior tax bill as a guaranteed predictor of what you'll pay, especially in 2026. Confirm which taxing districts apply to a specific property, including the school district, and make sure your lender's monthly payment estimate reflects current figures rather than an older baseline.

Does a high property tax bill mean I overpaid for my home?

Not necessarily. Property tax increases this year were driven largely by structural changes to Colorado's assessment system, not solely by individual home value increases. A higher bill reflects broader county-wide shifts as much as it reflects your specific property.

Are property taxes different between Teller County and El Paso County?

Yes. Each county sets its own mill levies and runs its own assessor's office, so the specific dollar impact of these changes can vary between a home in Colorado Springs and one in Woodland Park or Divide, even at similar price points.

Property taxes aren't the most exciting part of buying or selling a home, but this year they're too significant to overlook. Whether you're budgeting for a purchase or pricing a listing in Colorado Springs, Woodland Park, Monument, or Fountain, understanding what's actually driving these changes puts you in a much stronger position than reacting to a number on a bill.

Wondering what your home is worth in today's slower market? Get a free home valuation — real numbers, no pressure — at consumer.hifello.com/lp/673b7eac28de6e002dde2d9c.

About Jason Roshek
Jason Roshek is a real estate agent serving Woodland Park, Colorado Springs, and the mountain communities of Teller and El Paso Counties. His mission is simple: help people create real wealth through real estate — with expert guidance, honest communication, and a process that doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Whether you're buying your first rural property or selling to fund your next investment, Jason's team is built to help you make smart, confident decisions. Connect with Jason at jasonroshek.com.