What Are the Mill Levies in Hinsdale County, Colorado?

Hinsdale County's "2025 Mill Levies by District" report, run as of December 31, 2025, lists total levies ranging from 38.658 to 55.405 mills depending on the tax area. The highest total, 55.405 mills, is for a tax area that includes the Town of Lake City and the Lake City Area Fire Protection District. Which area your parcel is in, and how the levy turns into dollars, are questions for the county.

I am reading a county report that does not state a tax year or payable year beyond "as of 12/31/2025," so confirm the year on your own tax statement. This is general information, not tax advice.

What is a mill levy?

A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. A district that levies 5 mills would collect $5 for every $1,000 of assessed value. A parcel's total levy is the sum of the districts that cover it: the county, the school district, any town, fire, health, library, cemetery and water districts.

What are the totals by tax area?

From the county's report (as of 12/31/2025), the totals by tax area are:

The report does not explain what each code means, so I cannot tell you where each area is on a map. The county Assessor can tell you your parcel's tax area.

What is in the highest total?

For TA1, the report lists these levies, in mills:

• Hinsdale County: 12.733, plus road and bridge 0.956, health and human services 0.280 and retirement 0.880
• RE-1 School District: 19.098, plus RE-1 bond redemption 4.355
• Lake Fork Health Service District: 5.920
• Lake City Area Fire Protection District: 3.431
• Town of Lake City: 3.285
• Upper Gunnison River Water Conservation District: 1.951
• Hinsdale County Library District: 1.750
• Colorado River Water Conservation District: 0.502
• Hinsdale I.O.O.F. Cemetery District: 0.264

Those add up to the 55.405 total. The report shows the Town of Lake City levy and the fire district levy only in some tax areas, and it is why some totals differ by about 3 mills.

How do I turn mills into dollars?

Multiply the assessed value by the mill levy and divide by 1,000. For example, a parcel with $20,000 of assessed value in a 55.405-mill area would owe about 1,108(20,000 × 55.405 ÷ 1,000). That is only an illustration. Your assessed value comes from your actual value and the assessment rate. For 2026, the Colorado Division of Property Taxation lists a 6.80 percent residential local government rate after a 10 percent reduction of the first $700,000 in actual value, and school districts use a separate rate, so a single multiplication is a rough estimate. Ask the Assessor and Treasurer for the real numbers.

Why do levies differ from one area to another?

Because different districts cover different land. A parcel inside the Town of Lake City pays the town levy, while a parcel outside town does not. Some areas are in the fire district and some are not, and the school district column varies in at least one tax area. That is why two properties a few miles apart can have different bills even with the same value.

Do the levies change every year?

Yes. Each district sets its levy annually, so check the latest report each year and the levies on your own tax statement.

What should a buyer in Lake City do?

• Ask for the latest tax statement. It shows the actual bill and the districts.
• Ask the Assessor for the tax area. Confirm in writing.
• Check for special districts. Ask the title company to confirm none are missing.
• Budget beyond taxes. Add insurance, heating, road access and maintenance. See my guide on building permits for new construction.
• Confirm due dates. See my guide to Hinsdale County property tax due dates.

Who do I call?

The Hinsdale County Treasurer's Office is at 317 Henson St., Lake City, CO 81235, phone 970-944-2225 ext. 130, per the county's Treasurer page I reviewed last week. For valuation and tax-area questions, contact the Hinsdale County Assessor.

What is the bottom line?

Hinsdale County's levies range widely by tax area, and the school district levy is the largest single piece in most of them. Find your parcel's tax area, ask for the real statement and use the formula only as a starting point. A local agent can point you to the right office.

Frequently asked questions

What is the mill levy in Hinsdale County?

It depends on the tax area. The county's report lists totals from 38.658 to 55.405 mills (as of 12/31/2025).

What is the Lake City town mill levy?

The report lists 3.285 mills for the Town of Lake City in TA1 and TA1B.

What is the school district levy?

The RE-1 School District levy is listed at 19.098 mills, plus 4.355 for RE-1 bond redemption in most areas.

How do I find my parcel's tax area?

Ask the Hinsdale County Assessor or check your tax statement.

Connect with a great real estate agent in Lake City, Kelsey Loftis with Crystal Peak Properties.