Property tax increase

[Colin Westcott]

John,

I'm curious if the commissioners are discussing with Bob Overbeck why his office has directed such a large increase in property taxes on commercial property.

We received a 100% increase from our last valuation with nothing given to substantiate the increase. Yes, 100% increase. 

We have contested it, of course, but that level of increase is not reasonable. It is also pretty backwards that we are required to show why the valuation should not be increased, but no requirement exists to explain why it should be increased. The burden should be on Overbeck's office to prove that the increase is warranted, not the other way around.

I think it shows a level of incompetence in Bob Overbeck that should be addressed by you and your fellow commissioners.

Colin Westcott

Equinox Brewing
133 Remington St.
Fort Collins, CO  80524
(970) 430-6489
www.equinoxbrewing.com

[Colin Westcott]

John,

Our family is doing well, thank you for asking. My youngest just graduated from Poudre High. Hope you and your family are doing well too. I'm always around Equinox if you'd like to stop by and say hello.

We were given no justification for the massive increase in valuation. I honestly find it really backwards that we are now expected to prove that the increase isn't valid when it should be the other way around. If the assessor is basing all of this on "comparable properties" that sold in the last 12 months, then please show them to me. Our building is very unique in Old Town. It's a stand alone 4,000 sq. ft commercial building with a single tenant. I don't think a single comparable property like ours has sold in the last 10 years. The only way to establish value is based on rents, or a more traditional escalator. Common commercial rent escalators are 3% annually. An increase of this degree should require justification and the burden should not be placed on me to prove the Assessor is wrong. 

An increase of 28% on your residential property should require the same justification from the Assessor.

This type of fluctuation in property taxes is going to impact people severely. Consider retirees on a fixed income and small businesses that are dealing with massive cost increases to stay open. A reasonable increase in property tax valuation should be similar to the real estate market, which currently sits around 2.7% annually. Almost identical to common commercial rent escalators. These numbers are WAY out of line.

Please feel free to share my email with the Assessor.

Sincerely,

Colin

On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 9:43 AM John Kefalas <kefa...@co.larimer.co.us> wrote:

Hello Colin,

Yes, we have been communicating with Bob Overbeck, and I am aware that the FC Chamber is encouraging business owners to appeal their commercial property value so I am glad you have appealed the valuation as the deadline is June 9th. I'll forward you the email from Ann Hutchinson as it looks like commercial property values have increased 30%-100%. I can't imagine that the Assessor would not provide the information on the website for your property to substantiate the increase so I am curious to learn more about this. May I share your email with the Assessor and ask him to contact you? On the residential side, our home on Sycamore Street increased by 28%, and we appealed in person with an appraiser. I understand they have until August to render a decision. Hope you and family are well, and I guess I need to stop by Equinox for a beer sometime.

	John Kefalas (he/him) County Commissioner, District 1
	Commissioners' Office 200 W Oak St | 2nd Floor PO Box 1190, Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190 W: (970) 498-7001 Cell:  (720) 254-7598 jkef...@larimer.org | www.larimer.org

--

[Bob Overbeck]

Thanks John, I’ll follow up with Colin.

Bob Overbeck 

Assessor 

On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 7:46 PM John Kefalas <kefa...@co.larimer.co.us> wrote:

FYI Bob. Thank you.

	John Kefalas (he/him) County Commissioner, District 1
	Commissioners' Office 200 W Oak St | 2nd Floor PO Box 1190, Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190 W: (970) 498-7001 Cell:  (720) 254-7598 jkef...@larimer.org | www.larimer.org

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: John Kefalas <kefa...@co.larimer.co.us>
Date: Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Subject: Re: Property tax increase
To: Colin Westcott <bre...@equinoxbrewing.com>

Thank you, Colin, and I will do so and request that the Assessor reach out to you. Take care, and I'll try and stop by sometime to say hello and have a beer.

--

Bob Overbeck
Assessor
Office of the Assessor

200 W Oak St | 2nd Floor
PO Box 1190, Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190

W: (970) 498-7050  C: (970) 732-0043
 www.larimer.org