Real Property Tax Lien Sale Information

 1. How often are tax lien sales held? The auction for real property tax liens is held once a year.
 2. How many property tax liens did you list for sale? (2006 taxes payable in 2007) 3,802
 3. How many real estate parcels are taxed in your county? (2006 taxes payable in 2007) 214,614
 4. How many of the tax liens listed were paid prior to your sale? 1,576
 5. How many liens were sold? 2,023
 6. How many buyers participated in your sale? 409 
 7. How many liens remained held by the County? 137 (121 real estate parcels & 16 mineral rights)
 8. What was the total amount of liens sold? $3,107,231.83
 9. What was the interest rate for liens purchased in 2006? 15%
10. When will your next tax lien sale be held?

Automatic Rotation Selling - 10/28/08
Open Bidding - 10/29/08 (Dates subject to change)

11. When and where are tax lien sales advertised? TO BE DETERMINED
12. What type of document is issued? A tax lien sale certificate of purchase.
13. Do you allow investors to purchase tax lien sale certificates of purchase without attending the sales?

 Buyers do not need to be present to participate in the automatic rotation selling on October 28, 2008. (Date subject to change)

Buyers must be present to participate in the open bidding on October 29, 2008. (Date subject to change)

14. May I send a representative to the sale to bid for me? Yes. However, only one bidder card per person present is allowed.
15. How and when do I register for the tax lien sale?

You may pre-register beginning one week prior to, and up to the date of the sale. You may also register the morning of the sale. In order to register you must complete a W-9 (Internal Revenue Service) a Buyer Registration Form, and Automatic Rotation Selling Authorization and Allocation of Tax Sale Deposit Form and remit your deposit. Only one bidder number per SSN or TIN will be assigned. Buyer numbers will not be assigned until a deposit is made.

16. What type of payment is required to participate in the sale? All bids must be covered in advance by cash or certified checks made payable to The El Paso County Treasurer.  Electronic Fund Transfers (wires) will be accepted if the money is received in our office two business days before the sale.
17. Is payment in full required on the day of the sale? Yes.
18. What is the sale (bidding) process? Tax liens are sold in one of four categories. The sale process can change for each category. Please refer to the Sales Procedures web page.
19. May I endorse subsequent years' taxes and assessments onto my existing lien? Yes. Once taxes or special assessments become delinquent, we will mail you a report in July providing the amount eligible for endorsement on all your unredeemed certificates with detailed instructions. Before issuance of a tax deed, all processing expenses, subsequent taxes, special assessments and liens collectible by the Treasurer must be paid.
20. What is the redemption period of a tax lien? The minimum period is three years from the date of the sale. A certificate may be valid for fifteen years under certain conditions.
21. If the property tax lien is not redeemed (cured) within the three year minimum redemption period, what do I do? You may make application four months prior to the third anniversary date of the certificate for a tax deed. The present processing cost is estimated at three hundred fifty dollars and the processing time window is nine to twelve months.
22. What do I receive from a tax deed? The issuance of a valid tax deed creates new title to the property. The recipient should establish his/her interest in the property through a suit to quiet title.
23. Can a tax deed be challenged? Yes, an owner or party of interest may bring an action within five years of the date of issuance to set aside a tax deed. If a person is under legal disability at the time of execution and delivery of a tax deed, such person has the right to make redemption of the property within nine years from the date of the recording.
24. What governs tax sales in your County? Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 39, Section 10, 11, and 12.
25. If there are unsold tax liens what happens? Unsold liens are struck to the County and may be sold (assigned) by the County.
26. Is a listing of County held tax liens available? Yes
27. How can I obtain a list? A list is available for viewing or downloading by clicking on the link shown below. The file consists of approximately 25 pages. If you would prefer that we mail you the printed list, you may submit a written request with payment of a five dollar fee. A list is available for public viewing in the Treasurer's Office.

Real Estate Tax Liens Held by El Paso County
28. How can I obtain more information? You may call (719) 520-6666

Write to:

      El Paso County Treasurer
      P.O. Box 2007
      Colorado Springs, CO. 80901-2007
      E-mail: trsweb@elpasoco.com

Visit our web site at: trs.elpasoco.com

Treasurer:
Sandra J. Damron

Location:
27 E. Vermijo Ave.
Colorado Springs,
CO 80903

Telephone:
(719) 520-6666

Hours:
8:30-4:30, weekdays
(except holidays)

E-mail:
trsweb@elpasoco.com