GuidesColorado
How to buy tax-sale property in Colorado (2026)
You buy a tax lien, not the house. The owner has 3 years from the sale to pay you back. You earn 9% interest a year. You win by bidding the highest premium over the amount owed. Sales are held once a year, typically in December.
How Colorado tax sales work
Colorado uses tax lien sales in the state registry. The official rule describes the sale as follows: “the tax liens on such lands offered at public auction at the times provided by law shall be sold to the persons who pay therefor the taxes, delinquent interest, and fees then due thereon” What the winning bidder receives, and the steps after the sale, depend on the county's published terms.
Interest, penalty, and redemption
The registry records 9% flat per year. The base redemption rule is 36 months from the sale. Exceptions, notice requirements, and enforcement steps can change the practical timeline, so read the current county notice and the cited statute.
SourceColo. Rev. Stat. § 39-12-103(3)Colo. Rev. Stat. § 39-11-120(1)
Auction format and timing
The registry records premium as the bid method and once a year, typically in December for the sale schedule. The statute or official rule linked below controls the auction date, location, notice, and bidding format. When the schedule is not documented statewide, verify the date with the county treasurer, tax collector, sheriff, or other selling authority.
SourceColo. Rev. Stat. § 39-11-115(1)Colo. Rev. Stat. § 39-11-109
Registration, payment, and bidder steps
Registration, deposits, payment methods, and deadlines are often set by the selling county. The verified bidder record is shown below; any field labeled unknown must be confirmed with the county before registration.
How to bid here · Colorado
Hybrid- 1.Watch for the treasurer's delinquent list, published at least four weeks before the sale and posted in the treasurer's office (39-11-102(1)); the sale commences on or before the second Monday in December (39-11-109)
- 2.Register with the county treasurer or its auction provider per the treasurer's bidding rules, posted at least two weeks before the sale if the sale is held over the internet (39-11-102(2)(d), 39-11-115(4))
- 3.Bid at the sale, which may be held in person at the treasurer's office or another designated location in the county, or over the internet (39-11-108(1)-(2))
- 4.The lien goes to the person who pays the taxes, delinquent interest, and fees then due, or the largest amount in excess of those amounts (premium bidding) (39-11-115(1))
- 5.Pay in a form accepted under the treasurer's bidding rules (39-11-111)
- 6.The treasurer prepares, signs, and delivers a certificate of purchase, and the purchaser pays a fee per certificate (39-11-117)
- 7.If unredeemed after three years and proof of notice compliance, present the certificate and receive a tax deed from the treasurer (39-11-120(1), 39-11-128)
- Registration
- Required: UnknownUnknown
internet bidding rules for the sale must be posted on the auction medium at least two weeks before the date of sale (39-11-115(4))
- Deposit
- Required: UnknownUnknown
Not verified from a source yet.
- Forms
- Bidder ID card: UnknownW-9: Unknown
Purchaser pays a fee to the treasurer for each certificate of purchase delivered (39-11-117)
- Eligibility
- Residency required: UnknownNo delinquent taxes: Unknown
A tax lien may not be sold to an elected or appointed county official, a county employee, a member of their immediate family, or their agent while the official or employee holds office or is employed (39-11-151)
- Payment
- CashCertified fundsWire
Not verified from a source yet.
Colorado county treasurers sell tax liens at a sale held on or before the second Monday in December; the treasurer sets the bidding rules (including registration mechanics, announced at sale or posted online two weeks ahead for internet sales). The state statute does not prescribe bidder registration, deposits, or a payment deadline - those are set by each treasurer's bidding rules and auction platform, so they are left unknown. Payment is accepted in cash, negotiable paper, or electronic funds transfer subject to those rules. Note: this record quotes the officially published C.R.S. 2024 Title 39 printout on leg.colorado.gov; later session laws may retitle 'public auction' as 'tax lien sale'.
Official state and county sources
SourceColo. Rev. Stat. § 39-11-115(1)Colo. Rev. Stat. § 39-11-120(1)Colo. Rev. Stat. § 39-12-103(3)Colo. Rev. Stat. § 39-11-115(1)Colo. Rev. Stat. § 39-11-109
| County | Sale type | Redemption | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | RealAuction |
| Alamosa County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| Arapahoe County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Archuleta County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Baca County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| Bent County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| Boulder County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Broomfield County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Chaffee County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Cheyenne County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Clear Creek County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Conejos County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Costilla County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| Crowley County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| Custer County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Delta County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Denver County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | RealAuction |
| Dolores County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Douglas County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| Eagle County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | RealAuction |
| El Paso County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | RealAuction |
| Elbert County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Fremont County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Garfield County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| Gilpin County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Grand County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Gunnison County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Hinsdale County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Huerfano County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Jackson County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Jefferson County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| Kiowa County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Kit Carson County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| La Plata County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Lake County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| Larimer County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase;RealAuction |
| Las Animas County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Lincoln County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| Logan County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Mesa County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | RealAuction |
| Mineral County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Moffat County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Montezuma County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| Montrose County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Morgan County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Otero County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Ouray County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Park County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| Phillips County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| Pitkin County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase;RealAuction |
| Prowers County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| Pueblo County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Rio Blanco County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Rio Grande County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Routt County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Saguache County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| San Juan County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| San Miguel County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| Sedgwick County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
| Summit County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase;RealAuction |
| Teller County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| Washington County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | GovEase |
| Weld County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | RealAuction |
| Yuma County | lien | 3 years (deed issued after 3 years from sale) | not documented |
The registry lists 64 Colorado counties. Documented platforms: GovEase (18), RealAuction (6), GovEase;RealAuction (3).
Related guides
FAQ
- What do I actually buy at a Colorado tax sale?
- The investor buys a lien on the property. The owner keeps title and can redeem by paying the lien plus interest or penalty.
- How long does the owner have to redeem the property in Colorado?
- 36 months (3 years) from the sale date
- What interest or penalty do I earn on a Colorado tax sale?
- 9% flat per year.
- How is the winning bidder chosen in Colorado?
- The winner is the highest premium bid above the amount owed.
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Not legal, tax, or investment advice. Read the full disclaimer.