If the tax lien is not redeemed within the three (3) year period, what do I do?

You may apply for a tax deed to the property.

Application may be made four (4) months prior to the third anniversary of the sale date.

Is there a fee to apply for a tax deed?

Yes. The deed application fee is $450.00 per tax lien sale certificate of purchase.

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 their interest in the property through a suit to quiet title.

Can a tax deed be challenged?

Yes. Action may be brought within five (5) years of the date of issuance, or within nine (9) years if a person is under legal disability, to set aside a tax deed.

How often are tax lien sales held?

Tax lien sales are held once a year.

When will the next tax lien sale be held?

October 18 & 19, 2022

When and where are the tax liens to be sold advertised?

The list of unpaid real estate taxes is published in the El Paso County Advertiser and News four (4) weeks prior to the sale.

How are the tax liens offered at the tax sale?

Tax liens are sold in four (4) categories.

Sale procedure information is available on our website under “Tax Lien Sale“.

What governs tax sales in your County?

Tax sales are governed by Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.), Title 39, Articles 10, 11 & 12.

What happens to tax lien sale overbids?

Per 39-11-115 of C.R.S., the excess amount is credited to the county general fund and is not recovered by the investor.

What do I have to do to be able to buy tax liens at the tax sale?

You must be:

• A registered tax sale buyer with the El Paso County Treasurer’s Office
• Have money on deposit
• Complete an Automatic Rotation Authorization & Allocation form.

Available Forms:

Automatic Rotation Selling Authorization and Allocation of Tax Sale Deposit Form

W-9

Buyer Registration Form

When does your office accept tax sale deposits and new buyer registrations?

Sale deposits and new buyer registrations are accepted beginning two (2) week prior to the sale date.

May I write a personal or business check for my tax sale deposit?

NO. Deposits MUST be in the form of:

• Cashier’s Check
• Cash
• Money Order
• Wire Transfer (Contact our office for wiring instructions: (719)520-7900 or trsweb@elpasoco.com)

How much do I have to put on deposit?

You may deposit the amount you are willing to invest in tax liens.

Do I have to be present at the sale to buy tax liens?

You only have to be present for the Open Bidding.

Buyers cannot be present for the Automatic Rotation Selling.

May I send a representative to purchase tax liens for me in the Open Bidding portion of the tax sale?

Yes.

When I purchase a tax lien, what type of documentation do I receive?

You will receive a report which shows:

• Reference number of the lien purchased
• The book and certificate number of each lien purchased
• The amount of the lien
• The amount of any bonus bid
• The schedule number of the property

How many real estate parcels were taxed in El Paso County for the 2019 taxes payable in 2020?

251,997

How many tax liens did you advertise for sale in 2020?

4,717

How many tax liens were sold in 2020?

2,361 (1,974 of which were sold in Category 2 – Automatic Rotation)

What was the total dollar amount of tax liens sold in 2020?

$4,875,242.77

How many buyers participated in the 2020 tax sale?

494 (468 in the Automatic Rotation)

How many tax liens were not purchased?

130