Property tax is a tax levied or assessed on the owner of property—often real property (real estate)—that is based on the property’s appraised value. Local governments often impose property taxes to finance their school districts, police departments, fire departments, and municipal projects such as construction and maintenance of streets and roads.

Most local government authorities (often counties) allow citizens to dispute or challenge the appraised value of their property through an administrative process initiated with the tax assessor or appraisal district.

In Colorado, property tax is assessed on real property, such as land and buildings, based on the property's value. The tax is levied by local governments, including counties, cities, and special districts, and is a primary source of revenue for funding public services like schools, law enforcement, fire protection, and infrastructure maintenance. Property values are determined by county assessors through a mass appraisal process. Property owners in Colorado have the right to challenge the assessed value of their property if they believe it is incorrect. This is typically done by filing a protest with the county assessor's office within a specified time frame after receiving the valuation notice. If the dispute is not resolved at the county level, property owners may appeal to the County Board of Equalization, and further appeals can be made to the state level at the Colorado Board of Assessment Appeals or through the court system.