Colorado tax lien sales by county

Colorado sells tax liens, not land. Each county treasurer holds one tax lien sale a year, usually in late October or November and mostly online. You pay the taxes owed and earn interest until the owner pays the lien off. If the owner never does, the lien can lead to a treasurer's deed years later.

What you buy

A tax lien certificate. The land stays with the owner unless it goes to a treasurer's deed.

Who sells

The county treasurer.

When

Once a year, usually late October or November.

How you bid

A premium over the taxes owed. The highest premium wins, and the premium earns no interest.

Interest

Set each year at 9 points above the federal discount rate on September 1, rounded, and fixed for the life of the certificate.

Redemption

The owner can pay off the lien any time until a treasurer's deed issues.

Getting the land

After three years the holder can apply for a treasurer's deed. Since 2024 that goes to a public auction where the opening bid is the redemption amount plus costs, and any surplus goes to the former owner.

Over the counter

Liens that don't sell are held by the county and can be bought by assignment.

Title

A treasurer's deed carries no title warranty.

Law: C.R.S. 39-11-119, 39-12-103 and 39-11.5; HB 24-1056. A summary, not legal advice. Confirm the rules and deadlines with the county before you bid.

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