Notices of property values will be mailed to El Paso County’s 260,000 property owners today, reflecting the results of the 2008 reappraisal, which set values for 2010 taxes.

The reappraisal, which is done every two years, is required by state law, which also dictates the reappraisal period. The 2008 reappraisal was based on property sales that took place between Jan. 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008.

“We don’t know what to expect,” Assessor Mark Lowderman said, referring to the number of appeals.

A typical reappraisal draws about 5,000 appeals, but this is no typical reappraisal.

While home prices remained stable or rose in 2007, they began declining in the first half of 2008. After the books closed on the reappraisal period, values plunged.

That the assessor valued some properties higher than in the last reappraisal might lead property owners to dispute the valuation, considering what’s happened in the past 10 months.

About 20 years ago, thousands of people flocked to the Assessor’s Office to appeal their property values during a similar downturn. The property owners created such a stir that sheriff’s deputies were posted at the county office building on Vermijo Avenue.

Lowderman said that this time he doesn’t think security guards will be necessary, although a guard will stop in hourly.

“The bottom line is they don’t have enough staff to have someone sit up here on a daily basis like in the past,” he said. “We’re not anticipating a particularly hostile environment, just a very busy environment.”

Lowderman said he can’t afford to hire additional staff to handle what could be an avalanche of appeals.

“We are what we are,” he said. However, he said all 21 of the county’s appraisers will be available starting Monday.

Lowderman said instructions for how to appeal – by phone, online, by mail or at the office – are printed on the notices of value.

Lowderman emphasized that property owners must present evidence supporting their contention that the assessor’s value is wrong. Evidence consists of sales in their neighborhood and values of surrounding similar properties.

He said he hopes to have all appeals handled by June 30. For information, go to www.elpasoco.com

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Darlene Kobobel and Peggy Jehly from Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center hold the newest members of their family, a couple of six-week old playful wolf pups, Tala and Nakai and let them get close to their father, Keoka. Photo by JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

Jerilee Bennett