Property taxes in Ward 5
THE SPIKE IN HOUSING ASSESSMENTS TWO YEARS AGO WAS SHOCKING.
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My own assessment went up 41%. In the aftermath, the state Legislature reduced the residential assessment rate and exempted a portion of a home’s market value from taxation to mitigate the impact. New 2025 assessments – to go into effect in 2026 -- generally went down compared to the 2023 levels but housing costs remains a primary concern.
WHY NOT REDUCE THE LEVY TEMPORARILY?
The short answer is TABOR. Any levy reduction is basically permanent due to TABOR. Had we reduced the levy in 2023, our revenue drops would have multiplied as afterward the Legislature lowered the assessment rate and the 2025 assessments decreased 2 to 3 percent. We would have dug ourselves a bigger than intended hole, requiring deeper service and staff cuts. Instead, we provided targeted property tax rebates to fixed income and other residents most affected, and we invested in a much-needed police facility.
THERE IS A WIDE DISPARITY ACROSS THE COUNTY
Broomfield’s tax levy of 28.9 mills (11.457 for the city, 15.261 for the county) applies to all residential property and has been unchanged for 25 years. For most residents, the city and county’s mil levy generally accounts for about 27% of their total property tax bill. (By comparison. Adams County's levy is 26.9 without the additional mills levied by cities within the county.)
While the city and county mill levy is the same for all residents, total property tax varies widely across Broomfield, from 68 mills up to 186 mills depending on the individual taxing districts. The variance largely depends on your school district and whether you live in a newer metro district, some of which have some of Broomfield's highest priced homes.
HOW IT ALL ADDS UP
Excluding school and metropolitan district levies, the base property tax mill levy for most Broomfield residents is approximately 45.5 mills, calculated as follows:
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City and County of Broomfield: 28.968 mills
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Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District: 1.000 mill
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Urban Drainage and Flood Control District: 0.900 mill
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North Metro Fire Rescue District: 14.673 mills (if applicable)
School district mill levies vary in Ward 5, with the two districts adding between 57 to 63 mills (making the total range from 102.7 to 108.2 mills):
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Adams 12 Five Star Schools, 62.705 mills
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St. Vrain Valley Schools, 57.168 mills
(Note: The Boulder Valley School District, west of Sheridan Avenue, is at about 48 mils. The Weld County school districts have very low residential mill levies – generally under 20 mills - as the oil and gas industry there contributes nearly half of all the county’s property tax revenue, of which a substantial portion goes its schools.)
HELLO METRO DISTRICTS
In Ward 5, there are presently 24 metro districts – 21 of which are active – with 5 more expected. They generally cover homes built since the early 2000s. Most have a mil levy and/or a bond, pushing the top mill levy rates in Ward 5 to 163.4.
All within Ward 5 -- total mill levy:
Anthem West – 125.946 mills
Baseline Metro District No. 1 – 107.246 mills
Baseline Metro District No. 2 – 154.019 mills
Baseline Metro District No. 3 – 163.404 mills
Baseline Metro District No. 4 – 122.837 mills
Broadlands Metro District No. 2 – 115.376 mills
Highlands Metro District No. 1 – 101.809 mills
Highlands Metro District No. 2 – 101.809 mills
Highlands Metro District No. 3 – 101.809 mills
Lambertson Farms Metro District No. 1 – 107.246 mills
Lambertson Farms Metro District No. 2 – 146.119 mills
Lambertson Farms Metro District No. 3 – 107.246 mills
McKay Landing Metro District No. 2 – 135.946 mills
Northlands Metro District – 107.246 mills
Palisade Metro District No. 1 – 107.246 mills
Palisade Metro District No. 2 – 107.246 mills
Palisade Park West Metro District – 107.246 mills
Palisade Park North Metro District No. 1 – 107.246 mills
Palisade Park North Metro District No. 2 – 107.246 mills
Palisade Park North Metro District No. 3 – 107.246 mills
Spruce Meadows Metro District – 130.464 mills
Split between wards:
Broadlands Metro District No 2 spans Wards 3, 4 and 5, between 136th and 144th Avenues.
Anthem West Metro District is primarily in Ward 4 but a portion is in Ward 5, south of Sheridan Parkway, north of 152nd Avenue, west of Federal Boulevard, and east of Lowell Boulevard.
Northlands Metro District and Preble Metro Districts Nos. 1-3 are all inactive.
The Baseline Metro Districts span Wards 4 and 5 on both sides of Northwest Parkway. Baseline Metro Districts No. 5-9 will also be in Ward 5 but they are not yet set up. Barring any other changes, this will eventually bring the total to 29 Metro Districts in Ward 5.
IMPACT VARIES BY NEIGHBORHOOD DUE TO SPECIAL DISTRICTS
This variation in mill levies and home values can make the property tax impact on homeowners significantly different all depending on the neighborhood in which they live.