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Assessor

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1. How is the value determined on my property?

Values are most often determined by comparing your property with properties that are similar in location, design, size, age, and amenities. The Notice of Value you received in 2009 was based on sales that occurred between January 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. This method is known as the Sales Comparison Approach.

2. How often is property revalued?

Colorado law requires all assessors to reappraise all real property, including land and improvements, every two years during odd-numbered years.

3. What is the difference between actual value and assessed value?

The assessor determines the actual (market) value for all real and personal property. Then a percentage (assessment rate) is multiplied by the actual value to come up with the assessed value. In Colorado the residential assessment rate is 7.96%. For all other properties including vacant land and agricultural land, the assessment rate is 29%.

4. How are property taxes calculated?

The actual value is multiplied by the assessment rate which is then multiplied by the mill levy. Example: Actual value is $100,000 x 7.96% (residential assessment rate) x 63.603 = $506.28 taxes due.

5. Who sets the tax rate or mill levy?

Each individual taxing authority such as school, county, fire, water, sanitation, library, and recreation districts. These authorities provide services to you and are listed on your tax notice. If you feel you should not be paying to a specific authority, please contact that authority. The assessor’s office has no control over the districts.

6. How do I qualify for the Senior Exemption?

Taxpayers who are at least 65 years old on January 1, who have been the owner of record on their property for at least ten years prior to January 1, and who have occupied the property as their primary residence for at least ten consecutive years prior to January 1 may qualify for the Senior Exemption. The application deadline is July 15th. Once you have applied and been approved, you do not need to reapply each year.

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County Clerk

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1. Where do I register to vote?

You may register at the County Clerk and Recorder's office at:
Montrose County Courthouse
320 South First Street
Room 103
Montrose, CO 81401

Online Voter Registration now available at:
GoVoteColorado.com

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Discount Prescription Card Program

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1. How much does the plan cost?

Your prescription discount card is provided to you free of charge by the county.

2. Does everyone in my family need an individual card?

No. Everyone in the family may use the same card if desired.

3. Can I use this card to get discounts on my pet’s medications?

Yes, if your pet has been prescribed a medication, you may receive a discount on the medication by
taking the prescription to a participating retail pharmacy.

4. I just received my card. Can I use it right away?

Yes, just use your card to start saving immediately. Present your prescription discount card at a
participating retail pharmacy when you fill or refill your prescriptions.

5. I’ve lost my card. How can I get a replacement?

Please call toll free 1-877-321-2652.

6. Can I use my card to get discounts on over-the-counter products and non-prescription

Not usually. However, discounts are available for many diabetic supplies.

7. How is this prescription discount program different from traditional prescription insurance?

This plan is not insurance; it is a prescription discount program. The card provides immediate
discounts at the pharmacy. Upon presenting your card to the pharmacist, you will pay the lower of a
discounted price or the pharmacy’s regular retail price. There are no claim forms to fill out and no
limit to the number of times you can use the card. These discounts are available only at participating
retail pharmacies.

8. Can I use my prescription discount card with my current insurance benefit to reduce my

Your card cannot be used in conjunction with other insurance. However, you are able to use your
card to purchase prescriptions that are not covered by these plans.

9. Can I still use my prescription discount card if I sign up for a Medicare

Yes, you can use your prescription discount card anytime you need to purchase a prescription that is not covered by your Medicare prescription plan or any other
insurance.

10. Should I use my prescription discount card during my deductible and

No. Only use your prescription discount card to purchase non-covered
medications.

11. Can I use my prescription discount card in addition to my Medicare

No. You need to present either your Medicare prescription plan card or your
prescription discount card. Only use your prescription discount card when
purchasing medications not covered by your Medicare prescription plan.

12. I’m not going to sign-up for a Medicare prescription plan; can I still use my

Yes, you can continue to use your prescription discount card just as you do
today.

13. Which pharmacies accept the card?

The prescription discount card is accepted at 57,000 retail pharmacies nationwide, including many of
the leading chains. Ask your local pharmacy if they participate or call toll free 1-877-321-2652 to find
out if a specific pharmacy participates in the program.

14. How much will I save?

While savings on each prescription may vary, you can save an average of 20 percent off of the
pharmacy’s regular retail prices for prescription drugs. In addition, you may save even more by
choosing from our list of select medications. This list is comprised of products offering additional
savings.

15. Will I always receive the lowest price?

Yes. You will receive the best price available to you through this program at the pharmacy. On
occasion, pharmacies will price a particular medication lower than the discount rate provided by the
card. If that occurs, you will receive the lower price.

16. Can I find out the discounted price of my prescriptions before going to the pharmacy?

Because prices can vary by location, only the actual pharmacy can tell you the exact price of the
prescription. However, you can look up an estimated price for medications at
www.caremark.com/naco, or call toll free 1-877-321-2652.

17. Why did the price of my prescription change since the last time I purchased the

Drug prices are different from pharmacy to pharmacy. Even chains have different prices in their
stores depending on the population they are servicing. Additionally, manufacturers’ drug prices
change periodically.

18. The brochure says I can save an average of 20 percent on my prescription medication. Will I

Because a pharmacy's retail price or usual and customary charge can differ greatly by pharmacy, your
exact percentage of savings may vary depending on the prescription drug and the price you have
paid before.

19. Do I have to choose between my prescription discount card and the Wal-Mart $4 generic

No, always present your prescription discount card at a participating pharmacy, including Wal-Mart,
so you will receive the lowest price available from the pharmacy for that prescription medicine on
that day. You will receive the $4 price at Wal-Mart, when applicable, and the prescription discount
card discounted price when it is lower.

20. Should I still present my prescription discount card at Wal-Mart when buying a $4 generic?

Yes, always present your prescription discount card when buying prescriptions not covered by a
prescription drug benefit plan. For generic medicine on the Wal-Mart list, you will pay either $4 or
the prescription discount card price, whichever is lower.

21. Can I get an additional discount off the Wal-Mart Generic Drug Program – $4 for select

No, when presenting your prescription discount card, you will receive either the pharmacy’s regular
price for the prescription medicine or the prescription discount card discounted price, whichever is
lower. If Wal-Mart’s $4 price for select generics is lower than the prescription discount card price,
you will pay $4. With the prescription discount card, you will receive the best price available for your
prescription medicine on that day from that pharmacy.

22. What is specialty pharmacy and what kinds of services do they offer?

Specialty pharmacy offers delivery of injectable and select oral specialty medication and supplies to
the location of your choice. Services include delivery notification and refill reminder calls to help you
stay on your treatment plan. You’ll also receive expert care services including counseling, follow up
care calls, informative disease-related materials, and access to health experts 24 hours a day, seven
days a week.

23. What drugs are offered through specialty pharmacy?

Medications for a variety of chronic conditions including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis,
cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, infertility, immunologic disorders, Crohn’s disease, Gaucher disease,
pulmonary hypertension, Fabry disease, MPS 1, blood dyscrasia, growth hormone deficiency,
respiratory syncytial virus, hepatitis C and more are available through specialty pharmacy.

24. What is Mail Service?

With the Caremark Mail Service program, you can purchase up to a 90-day supply of select
medications from the mail service pharmacy for a fixed price. It’s easy to get started with mail
service—just send in the mail service order form along with your original prescription, to Caremark.
For a list of medications available through and to receive an order form please call toll free 1-877-
321-2652 or visit www.caremark.com/naco.

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Emergency Preparedness

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1. Who should register for the Emergency Notification System?

All wireless and VoIP phone subscribers within Montrose, Delta, San Miguel, Ouray, Gunnison and Hinsdale counties who wish to receive emergency notifications. Subscribers' registered wireless and VoIP information will not affect their land line phones that are already in the system.

2. Will my information be sold or distributed?

No. All of the information you enter will feed directly into the Emergency Notification System's secure database. This information can only be accessed by system administrators and the data will never be sold or distributed to third parties.

3. When will I receive phone calls?

You will receive phone calls when the Emergency Notification System is activated and your address is within the geographic area chosen to receive the notification message. The Emergency Notification System will only be activated for emergency purposes.

4. How do I update my information if I move?

If you move after you have entered your information into the Web site you will need to go back into the Web site and re-enter your information with your new address.

5. Can I add my landline telephone number?

Yes. You can enter your landline phone number into the Opt-In website. If your landline phone number is already in the database, the data you enter into the site will NOT overwrite the existing information for your landline telephone number. If your landline phone number is not already in the database, then the new information will be entered into the database.

6. Can I enter my telephone number more than once at different addresses?

No. The last address that you enter into the website will be the only location that your telephone number is associated with. Your telephone number can only be in the database once, at one location.

7. Do I have to enter an actual address?

Yes. If you enter an address that does not exist you will not be in the database and will not be contacted when the Emergency Notification System is activated.

8. Will I be solicited in any way at the phone number that I enter?

No. You will only receive phone calls when the Emergency Notification System is activated and your address is within the geographic notification area chosen. The Emergency Notification System will only be activated for emergency purposes.

9. If I am in a location that is different than the address that I enter into the Web site for my wireless phone, will I still be contacted if an emergency affects the address entered?

Yes. No matter where you are physically located, you will only receive calls for emergencies that affect the address entered into the Web site. So if you are on vacation in a different state you will still receive a phone call if the address you entered is affected by an emergency.

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Fairgrounds & Event Center

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1. What are the fairgrounds' occupancy loads?

The fairgrounds' occupancy loads are as follows:

• Friendship Hall: 1800 people


• Sale Barn: 720 people


• Grandstands: 1500 people


• Conference Rooms:
  
  
  
  1. East only: 50 people
  
  
  2. West only: 130 people
  
  
  3. As one room: 266 people
  
  
  
  

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Planning & Development

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1. What is the largest structure I can build without a permit?

One story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses do not require a permit, provided the projected roof area does not exceed 120 square feet.

2. What are the setback requirements?

Front: Minimum 25’ setback from property line. Sides and Rear: Minimum 10’ setback from property line.

3. Do I need a permit to build a fence?

Fences not over 6’ high do not require a permit.

4. Do I need a permit to build a barn/agricultural building?

Yes, a Zoning Location Permit is required for all agricultural buildings. An agricultural building, (ie; pole barn), is defined as a building located on a parcel of land that is actively being used for agricultural and/or ranching purposes, and which is at least 35 acres in size.

5. Does the County regulate irrigation water?

Montrose County does not regulate irrigation water.

6. What is the minimum lot size for a septic system in Montrose County?

The minimum lot size for a septic system is three (3) acres. In certain cases this minimum size may be reduced to one (1) acre where a professionally prepared geological report has been submitted which proves that the property meets the reduced lot size standards of the Board of Health Resolution.

7. Do I need an engineer to design my septic system?

Yes, all septic systems in Montrose County must be designed by an engineer licensed in the State of Colorado.

8. Do I need an engineer to design my foundation?

Engineer designed foundations must be submitted with construction plans when required as a condition for final approval of a subdivision.

9. Can I build a second home on my property?

Additional living quarters for family members or farm workers are allowed in Montrose County in the General Agricultural zone district, provided you have a minimum of 3 acres. You are allowed two homes and one septic system on the first three acres and one home & one septic system for each additional three acres.

10. Can I just deed property to my children without going through the subdivision process?

In the State of Colorado, properties of less than 35 acres in size may not be created without approval of the local government. Executing a deed for a property under 35 acres in size without gaining approval from the local government can result in that property being considered as an illegal subdivision. Montrose County will not issue permits of any type for illegally subdivided properties.

11. What are the basic requirements for subdividing my property?

In order to be eligible for subdivision in Montrose County, a property must have direct frontage on a County road, must have access to potable water and must meet the minimum lot size requirements of the County Zoning Resolution.

12. How do I determine the zoning of my property?

The majority of Montrose County is zoned “General Agricultural”. However, there are commercial, business, industrial and residential zones as well. The County zoning maps may be viewed on-line at
Zoning Resolution & Maps

13. What are the allowed uses in my zoning district?

The County’s Zoning Resolution may be accessed online at Zoning Resolution Hard Copies of the Zoning Resolution may be purchased from the Planning and Development Department for a cost of $10.

14. How long does the subdivision process take?

Subdivision applications vary in their review time and depend largely upon the timeliness with which the required materials are submitted by the Applicant. From the date of submittal Minor Subdivisions may be completed in approximately three (3) months. Major subdivisions which require Sketch Plan, Preliminary Plan and Final Plat applications take considerably longer.

15. Will subdividing change my property tax status?

It is likely that subdividing will change the property tax status of your property. Questions regarding property tax related issues should be directed to the Montrose County Assessor’s Office at (970)249-3753.

16. Does the County enforce covenants?

Montrose County does not enforce private covenants. Covenants are typically administered and enforced by Homeowners Associations.

17. How do I determine where my property boundaries are?

If your property is part of a previously platted subdivision or division, there will be a plat on file with the Clerk and Recorders Office. These plats may be viewed by the public during business hours and will show the location of the surveyor’s pins which mark the property boundaries. Property owners may also look for these pins on their property to determine existing property boundaries. If not previously recorded plats exist and no pins can be found, property owners may choose to have their property surveyed by a Professional Land Surveyor.

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Solid Waste

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1. Will my costs go up for the wastes that I haul to the landfill in my full size pickup truck?

The current disposal charge is $4.85 per cubic yard for un-compacted municipal
solid waste generated in Montrose County. If your full-size pickup truck was filled to
bed level, you would be charged $4.85 times 3 cubic yards or $14.55. Beginning
June 18, 2007, you would pay a disposal charge of $14.35.

2. I have only a few bags of wastes to dispose at the landfill, what will my charges be?

In order to discourage illegal dumping of small amounts of wastes in Montrose
County, a new minimum charge will be implemented beginning June 18, 2007. This
minimum charge will be $4 for four 30-gallon bags or less.

3. I have a construction business and usually bring in a trailer with construction wastes to the disposal site. What can I figure to pay?

Let’s say your trailer without rails is 6 foot long, 4 feet wide and 2 foot high. The
yardage rate is $9.80 per cubic yard for construction and demolition waste generated
in Montrose County. Your cost would be $9.80 times 2 cubic yards or $19.60.
Beginning June 18, 2007, you would pay a disposal charge of $14.35.

4. My construction business has grown and I use a large trailer to bring construction wastes to the disposal site. What can I figure to pay?

Let’s say your trailer is 18 foot long, 6 feet wide and 8 foot high. The yardage rate
today is $9.80 per cubic yard for construction and demolition waste generated in
Montrose County. Your cost would be $9.80 times 32 cubic yards or $313.60.
Beginning June 18, 2007, you would pay a charge based for trailers longer than
seven feet of $37.15 per ton. If you carried 8 tons of waste in your trailer, your costs
would be $37.15 times 8 tons or $297.20.

5. The disposal charges for compacted municipal solid waste are $9.80 per cubic yard. What will the charges be after June 18, 2007?

If your company uses a 12-cubic yard truck to haul wastes to the landfill
containing compacted municipal solid waste, the costs are $9.80 times 12 cubic
yards or $117.60. Since the disposal charge will be by weight, the truck would be
charged $37.15 per ton. If the wastes weigh 3.35 tons, the cost would be $37.15
times 3.35 tons or $124.45.

6. What will Out-of-County wastes be charged for disposal?

A 15% surcharge will be assessed on Out-of –County wastes. Part of this revenue
will go to fund a new landfill.

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Treasurer / Public Trustee

Show All Answers

1. When do you mail the tax notices?

Tax notices are mailed the middle of January for the prior year taxes.

2. When are taxes due?

There are two options to pay taxes. A single payment of taxes is due in full by April 30. If you choose to make two payments, the first half payment is due by February 28 and the second half payment is due by June 15.

3. Can I pay my taxes with a credit card or debit card?

Yes, Montrose County provides a tax paying service to accept payments by credit card or debit card. You may connect online to Certified Payments and follow the instructions. Certified Payments charges a fee of 2.75%. You must know your account number and the correct amount due of taxes when making a payment through this service.

4. Will you send my mortgage company a copy of my tax bill?

No, Colorado State Statutes requires us to mail tax notices to the property owners.

5. How are property taxes calculated?

The actual value is multiplied by the assessment rate which is then multiplied by the mill levy. Example: Actual value is $100,000 x 7.96% (residential assessment rate) x 63.603 = $506.28 taxes due.

6. How is the value determined on my property?

Values are most often determined by comparing your property with the properties that are similar in location, design, size, age, and amenities. The Notice of Value you received in 2009 was based on sales that occurred between January 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. This method is known as the Sales Comparison Approach.

7. How often is property re-valued?

Colorado law requires all assessors to reappraise all real property, including land and improvements, every two years, during odd-numbered years.

8. What is the difference between ‘Actual’ value and ‘Assessed’ value?

The Assessor determines the “actual” (market) value for all real and personal property. Then a percentage (assessment rate) is multiplied by the actual value to come up with the assessed value. In Colorado the residential assessment rate is 7.96% and for all other properties including vacant land and agricultural land, the assessment rate is 29%.

9. Who sets the tax rate or mill levy?

Each individual taxing authority such as school, county, fire, water, sanitation, library, and recreation districts. These authorities provide services to you and are listed on your tax notice.

10. How do I qualify for the Senior Exemption?

Taxpayers who are at least 65 years old on January 1, who have been the owner of record on their property for at least ten years prior to January 1, and who have occupied the property as their primary residence for at least ten consecutive years prior to January 1 may qualify for the Senior Exemption. The application is available in the ASSESSOR’S OFFICE, deadline is July 15th. Once you have applied and been approved, you do not need to reapply each year.

11. When are the Foreclosure Sales?

Wednesdays at 10 a.m.

12. Where are the Foreclosure Sales?

320 South First Street, Room 106, Montrose CO 81401