TAXES

and the property tax rate, a number called the “assessment rate” is another factor that helps determine how much in property taxes a person owes. With the Gallagher Amendment gone, the state legislature sets the assessment rate.)

If Colorado voters had not gotten rid of the Gallagher Amendment, the tax landscape this year would be much di erent, Sakdol said.

“We wouldn’t be in a panic of our property taxes going up substantially because the assessment (rate) would fall much lower, which would keep our property taxes somewhat in check to previous years,” Sakdol said. e rub with the Gallagher Amendment was that for rural counties, where property values haven’t gone up as much as they have been on the Front Range, the property tax equation meant rural government entities faced reduced revenue that a ected their services — a problem Sakdol acknowledged.

One proposal that has popped up in the past: having di erent assessment rates for di erent regions of Colorado.

“So you’d have the Gallagher Amendment (policy) … they would run the same numbers as Gallagher requires,” but the assessment rate events leading up to the murder: Three people appeared to be having a dinner and at one point talked about a birthday gift, Steers said. At some point, the man authorities say is Devol leaves and returns and kills the other two people and a dog. e report, released by the Douglas County Coroner’s O ce, shows both victims also had meth, alcohol and marijuana in their systems. In addition to the toxicology reports, notes were made in both autopsies that each had a history of methamphetamine use. might be higher in Sterling as opposed to Denver, Sakdol said.

Mitchell was found with a “digital recorder device,” according to her autopsy report.

A coworker of Gray’s discovered him and Mitchell in the Russellville Road garage at about 1:30 p.m. Feb. 8, 2022.

Devol was found and arrested at a hotel in Salina, Kansas, on Feb. 9, 2022. He complied when o cers attempted to place him in custody, according to testimony at the hearing.

Autopsy results show the victims had bruising and shallow injuries and had been shot by two di erent rearms.

Deputies discovered security footage for the home that showed someone entering the garage carrying “multiple handguns and a long gun.” After a tip from a friend of the family, investigators alleged that Devol is the person in the video.

How Colorado compares

Although homeowners are concerned in Colorado about a hike in property tax bills, Colorado is “on the low side of property taxes throughout the United States,” Sakdol noted.

Nationally, Colorado has relatively low residential property taxes, according to an analysis by the conservative Tax Foundation. Colorado ranked 47th in property taxes paid as a percentage of owner-occupied housing value in 2020, according to the foundation.

“But now that we have removed the Gallagher Amendment, I think we’re going to see that come up. I don’t think we’re going to be in that lower category anymore,” Sakdol said.

“It’ll probably be another year or two before we see” where Colorado falls in a national ranking on property taxes taking into account the Gallagher repeal, Sakdol said.

And while businesses pay more, their taxes still appear to be lower than the national average, according to e Colorado Sun. Colorado had the 17th best “State Business Tax Climate” for 2020, according to the Tax Foundation. Colorado had the 14th best “property tax rank” for businesses in 2020, according to the foundation.

Do you have...

Mysterious insects? Trees in trouble? A need for gardening advice?

CSU Extension is here for you. We provide answers and education. For more information call 720-733-6930 or visit https://douglas.extension.colostate.edu

Is yard work on your to-do list?

Warmer weather is ahead, and you can drop off any tree limbs, shrubs, brush or green yard waste that you need to dispose of for free every Saturday through October at Douglas County’s Slash-Mulch site. For more information, visit douglas.co.us and search for Slash Mulch.

Your Douglas County Fair & Rodeo is just around the corner

Looking for unique food options, star-studded country music and vintage cars all in the same place this summer? Visit the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo from July 28 to Aug. 6. To purchase tickets and view the schedule, visit FairandRodeoFun.com

What’s happening with your County government?

Our commitment to open and transparent government includes online posting of information about public meetings at which the business of government is conducted. To view public meeting agendas, participate in-person or remotely, or watch select meetings, visit douglas.co.us and search for Business Meetings.

Are you signed up for emergency alerts? Sign up every phone in your household now at douglas.co.us/CodeRED