Treasurer's Deed Process Change

Per Colorado House Bill 24-1056, the Treasurer’s Deed process has changed effective July 1, 2024. Deeds will no longer be automatically issued to the lien holder. The Treasurer’s Deed will be sold through an online public auction to the highest bidder.

The opening bid will be the combined value of the amount owed to the tax lien holder and the treasurer’s fees and costs incurred such as the application deposit. This auction provides an opportunity for the property to be sold at fair market value as determined by bidding.

At the conclusion of the auction, the lien holder will have the option to redeem for the auction purchase price if they would like to take ownership of the property.

The only person(s) who may apply for the option for Treasurer’s Deed is the holder of the Tax Lien Certificate, and the option is only available to real property: at this time manufactured homes are excluded from the process. Legislature is working on a legal process that would address the certificate of ownership process for obtaining title for a manufactured home.

The Treasurer’s Deed will not be issued until all subsequent property tax liens are paid in full.

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Notices of Public Auctions

View notices of Public Auctions below.

Scheduled Date of Sale: October 28th, 2025

EPC25-0001: 0 Jackson Street, Green Mountain Falls, CO 80819 – R8308420010 – Published Legal Notice

EPC25-0002: 0 E. HIghway 24, Calhan, CO 80808 – R1100000157 – Published Legal Notice

EPC25-0003: 0 Mulberry Road, Calhan, CO 80808 – R1200000358 – Published Legal Notice

EPC25-0004: 0 W. Highway 24, Woodland Park, CO 80863 – R8309400010 – Published Legal Notice

EPC25-0005: 0 W. Monica Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80916 – R6435404001 – Published Legal Notice

EPC25-0006: 4461 S. Drummond, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 – R6504302068 – Published Legal Notice

EPC25-0007: 3012-3060 S. Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80910 – R6434408012 – Published Legal Notice

EPC25-0008: 3220 N. Academy Blvd, Ste. #5, Colorado Springs, CO 80917 – R6334102300 – Published Legal Notice

Future Scheduled Sales TBD

There are no notices of auction at this time.

Deed Application Process

Please contact the Treasurer’s Office at (719) 520-7900 or TRSWeb@ElPasoCo.com with your tax sale certificate number to request an application.

Return the completed application and $1,300 application fee to:

El Paso County Treasurer
1675 W. Garden of the Gods, Suite 2100
Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Effective July 1, 2024 — C.R.S. § 39-11.5

  1. Eligibility to Apply
    • A tax lien holder may apply for a Treasurer’s Deed no sooner than three years after the lien sale.
    • The application must be submitted on the form required by the County Treasurer. (C.R.S. § 39-11.5-102)
  2. Application Requirements & Fees
    • The applicant must pay an application fee at the time of filing.
    • This fee is treated as a title expense and includes:
      • Title ownership and encumbrance report
      • Mailing fees
      • Posting fees
      • Auction expenses
      • Any additional charges required by statute during the deed issuance process
    • The Treasurer uses this fee to cover all required notifications and auction costs. (C.R.S. § 39-11.5-102(2))
  3. Public Notice & Auction Scheduling
    • After an application is filed, the Treasurer schedules a public auction and sends notice to the property owner, lienholders, and other interested parties.
    • Notices are mailed and publicly advertised as required by law. (C.R.S. §§ 39-11.5-104 to 105)
  4. Auction Process
    • At the scheduled auction (held online or in person), the Treasurer offers the property.
    • The certificate of option for a Treasurer’s Deed is awarded to the highest bidder, not automatically to the lien holder. (C.R.S. § 39-11.5-106)
  5. Issuance of Deed
    • Once the auction is complete and all redemption rights have expired, the Treasurer issues the Treasurer’s Deed to the successful bidder. (C.R.S. § 39-11.5-116)

Deed Application Takeaways

  • No more “automatic deeds”: A Treasurer’s Deed is no longer issued automatically to the tax lien holder after the investor applies for deed.
  • Auction Process: Instead, a public auction is now required. The deed goes to the higest bidder, rather than directly to the tax lien holder.
    • Lien holder’s role: A lien holder may still apply for a deed, but doing so now begins the auction process, essentially mirroring the foreclosure of their tax lien.
      Auction Proceeds:
      – First, any excess proceeds (called “overbids”) go to qualified junior lien holders. Those lienholders who qualify must file an overbid claim with the Treasurer’s Office after the close of the sale.
      – After that, remaining funds are returned to the property owner.
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Essential Notes

  • Effective date: These changes apply to all Treasurer’s Deed applications submitted on or after July 1, 2024.

  • Constitutional compliance: The new process protects property owners’ rights to keep equity that exceeds the tax debt.

  • Transparency: Auctions must be publicly noticed and open, ensuring fairness in how deeds are awarded.

  • Owner protections: Property owners who lose their property through this process now have a legal path to reclaim excess equity.

  • New Statute: The prior system under Article 11 has been replaced with Article 11.5 of Title 39 in the Colorado Revised Statutes.