Local News

Pitkin County Assessor's Office Accepting Property Appeals and Objections

Pitkin County Assessor is accepting appeals and objections to classification and valuation of real property. Objections to the valuation or classification of real property must be submitted no later than June 8, 2023. 

The 2023 values are calculated from property sales that occurred from January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Those comparable sales will be listed on our website per area starting May 2, 2023. To have a successful appeal please view our Tips and Tricks page also found under "Appeal Guide" on our website, www.pitkincounty/assessor.com. And remember, filing an appeal is always free for the first two levels! 

Methods of appeal submittal in order of preference:

The online appeal form at https://pitkincounty.com/198/Appeal-Guide 

The form is located under Appeal Guide. Submit online using assessormail@pitkincounty.com or fax to (970) 920-5174.

You may also mail your protest or bring it in person to:

Pitkin County Assessor

530 E Main St. Ste 204

Aspen, CO 81611

Be sure to include your email address and phone number with your appeal. After you have submitted your appeal and wish to speak with an appraiser, please call our office at (970) 920-5160. Appraisers will be available by phone through June 8, 2023, to hear appeals to valuations for the 2023 assessment of real property. 

All real property appeals by mail must be postmarked no later than June 8, 2023. 

Faxes are considered a form of mail and must be received by June 8, 2023. 

Personal Property: In accordance with Colorado law, beginning June 15, 2022, the Assessor will accept appeals and objections to valuations of personal property. Please follow above methods for submittal of appeals. All personal property appeals must be delivered or postmarked no later than June 30, 2023. Faxes are considered a form of mail and must be received by June 30, 2023. 

Appeals to real property or personal property valuations cannot be considered if made by a later date or after receipt of tax bill. Information for requesting a review of valuation or for filing an appeal is available at the Pitkin County Assessor’s office at (970) 920-5160.  

Visit www.pitkincounty.com/Assessor for more information.

State News

Statewide Land Use Bill Fails to Pass in Last Days of Session

As reported by Colorado Politics, Gov. Jared Polis' housing proposal — which, as originally introduced sought to impose state mandates and effectively strip local governments of their authority over land use and zoning — is dead after all-day negotiations failed to find a compromise between the Senate and House versions.

Just after 7 p.m. on May 8^th, Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, confirmed the bill is dead for the 2023 session. 

The Senate had effectively gutted the bill, turning it into a requirement for a statewide housing needs assessment, but House Democrats restored substantial portions of what had been gutted, setting up a showdown with the Senate.

A contingent of Senate Democrats, including Joint Budget Committee chair Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, is believed to be opposed to the House changes, particularly efforts to hand over to the state control of zoning. Zenzinger referred to it as her "bright line" over which she would not cross, and sources said there were at least six more Democrats backing that position, which would be more than enough to get the Senate to adhere to its version and rebuff the House changes. 

The Colorado Municipal League, which represents 270 cities and towns and led the opposition to SB 213, raised concerns about "its unconstitutional preemption of home rule authority and inappropriate intrusion into local control."

Kevin Bommer, CML's executive director, repeatedly said that stakeholder engagement did not happen with SB 213.

"Early in the legislative session and in testimony, CML committed to a vision of affordable housing legislation Colorado municipalities could support and that would both preserve constitutional home rule and local control, as well as address the urgent need for affordable housing across the state," Bommer said. "We still are committed to that vision.”

National News

NAR Responds to FHFA’s RFI on Social Bonds

NAR wrote the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) regarding its request for input (RFI) on social bonds.

While supportive of their effort, NAR pointed to several problems. In the RFI, NAR notes that:

• This structure has several flaws that could undermine a lower cost benefit for mission duties,
• It creates a data sharing issue that could undermine privacy, and
• There is a better means of achieving this goal.

The idea behind social bonds is for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs) to sell bonds or pools of loans that target specific borrowers that meet their charter duties. These pools may be of more interest to investors who focus on environmental, social, or governance (ESG) goals or charitable funds.  Assuming that there is strong demand from these investors, this sales technique might result in more profits (lower costs) for the GSEs that they can use for mission duties. It also makes them more accountable to private market oversight for mission duties.

This RFI is a subtle but important step in GSE reform. For years, critics have argued that private investors won't fund the lower return targets needed to support the GSEs' mission duties and that "mission creep", the perceived extension of the GSEs duties into new areas that are costly, would prevent investors from buying into the GSEs.  This RFI looks at a financing structure to draw in these types of investors.