Your metro district's budget is set each fall at public meetings, and the mill levy that funds it appears on your county property tax bill the following year. Here is how the pieces fit together.
How the budget is built
- Late summer: the county assessor certifies the value of property in the district.
- By October 15: the district manager presents a proposed budget to the board, and a notice is published so residents can review it.
- Public hearing: the board discusses the budget at a public meeting, where residents may comment.
- By December 15: the board adopts the budget and certifies the mill levy to the county.
- The next year: the county includes the district's levy on your property tax bill and forwards the tax collected to the district.
What a mill levy is
A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. Your home's assessed value is a percentage of its market value, set by the state, and appears on your county assessment notice.
| Home value | Assessed value (about) | District mill levy | Yearly district tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $32,500 | 50 mills | $1,625 |
| $1,000,000 | $65,000 | 50 mills | $3,250 |
| $1,500,000 | $97,500 | 50 mills | $4,875 |
The formula is: assessed value × mill levy ÷ 1,000. These are examples only; your actual assessed value is on your county assessment notice.
Debt levy and operations levy
Most metro districts levy two separate amounts:
- Debt service levy: repays the bonds that paid for roads, utilities, parks and other improvements when the neighborhood was built.
- Operations levy: pays for upkeep, administration, insurance and similar costs.
Where to see your district's numbers
- Your tax bill: shows your district's levy and the dollar amount
- The district website: posts the adopted budget and annual audit
- Board meetings: budgets are discussed and adopted in public
For questions about your own district's budget, contact your district's manager, listed on the district's website.
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. For questions about a specific district, contact that district’s manager or attorney. Board members can find training and resources through the Special District Association of Colorado.