Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Cortez, Colorado
Median Cortez, Colorado effective property tax rate: 0.41%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Colorado state median of 0.50%.
Median Cortez, Colorado home value: $177,571
Median annual Cortez, Colorado tax bill: $675, $1,725 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Montezuma calculated?
Property taxes in Cortez, Colorado 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 Cortez's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Cortez, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.41%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$728
$676
How Does the Cortez Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Cortez property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Cortez's median effective tax rate of 0.41% — based on actual property records in Montezuma County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Cortez's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Cortez: rates range from 0.41% in 81321 to 0.41% in 81321, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Cortez.
About Cortez Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Cortez, Montezuma, CO
Cortez’s median effective property tax rate of 0.41% is lower than the Colorado state median of 0.50% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Montezuma County levy combined with local taxing districts that shape what homeowners pay across the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Cortez. Homeowners in ZIP code 81321 carry a median effective rate of 0.41%, while those in the same ZIP also see the lowest rate of 0.41%. That means there is no spread across the city in the available data, but local assessed values and district boundaries still determine each bill.
Cortez homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor after notices go out in May and before the June 8, 2026 deadline.
If your estimated bill seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? 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 Cortez's effective property tax rate to other cities in Colorado and the median property tax rates in Colorado and the U.S.
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 Cortez Tax Rate
0.41%
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 Montezuma County Tax Rate
0.41%
Median Effective Colorado Tax Rate
0.50%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81321 | 0.22% | 0.40% | 0.41% | 0.41% | 0.43% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado
When examining property taxes in Cortez, Colorado, 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 Montezuma County assessor 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 Montezuma County, assessment notices are sent in May each year.
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. For Cortez, the median home price is $177,571, with a median tax bill of $675. That is well below the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and reflects a lower burden than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. The highest median home price in the county is $177,571 in 81321.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado
Source: Ownwell
$86,250
$163,139
$240,028
Median Cortez Market Value
$177,571
Median Montezuma County Market Value
$196,348
Median Colorado Market Value
$519,879
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81321 | $47,589 | $108,536 | $177,571 | $258,733 | $360,536 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado
How are property tax bills calculated in Cortez, Colorado?
Property tax bills in Cortez are based on a home’s assessed value, which is tied to the market value of the property and then taxed at the local rate set for Montezuma County. The amount a homeowner owes depends on the assessed value of the home, local tax rates, and any exemptions or special assessments that may apply. With a median home price of $177,571, property taxes can vary widely from one homeowner to another.
For many homeowners, the bill is shaped by how their property compares with others in the area. The 25th percentile tax bill is $379, while the 75th percentile is $1,004 and the 90th percentile is $1,458. The median tax bill in ZIP code 81321 is $675, which is well below the national median property tax bill of $2,400. That means many homeowners in Cortez pay less than the typical U.S. homeowner, but rising assessed values can still increase the annual tax burden.
Median Cortez Tax Bill
$675
Median Montezuma County Tax Bill
$808
Median Colorado Tax Bill
$2,732
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Cortez, Montezuma County, Colorado
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81321 | $181 | $379 | $675 | $1,004 | $1,458 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | June 8 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Montezuma Tax Assessor | |
| Website | eagleweb.co.montezuma.co.us |