Frequently Asked Questions

• It involves the entire family
• Requires a warm environment, involving love and commitment
• On duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• Fostering is not a source of income or a form of employment

• Must be able to recognize that a child in care may have a variety of developmental levels which may or may not match his/her chronological age
• Only having a limited time to work with a child and his family
• Understanding and accepting agency/department involvement and responsibilities
• Comply with certification standards
• Must keep records
• Must work with biological children to support reunification (if appropriate)
• Will be able to make only limited decisions
• Must respect confidentiality
• Must report changes in the family household to the department
• Must be able to offer flexibility and work with the objectives of the case plan (visitation, therapy, etc.)

• Have specific duties and responsibilities
• Held accountable
• You work closely with professionals in a child's life
• You keep records
• Maintain confidentiality

• They need daily care and supervision
• They need their basic physical and emotional needs met
• You'll work with schools, medical personnel, and other professionals to meet their needs
• You'll help guide the child's development in all areas: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, etc
• Provide structure, rules, and discipline
• Teach values and self-direction
• Model appropriate family relationships

There are several ways you can help in your community through Colorado Life Trak:

• You can enroll a patient in our program
• You can make a donation to Colorado Life Trak
• You can even register to be a local volunteer

If you have any questions or would like to donate to the program please email our Volunteer Coordinator.

Approximately 4.5 million people in the United States have Alzheimer's and related disorders - 60,000 of which live in Colorado.

• Of these, around 60% will wander during the course of their disease - approximately 36,000 in Colorado alone
• Many wander at night, when usual search options are difficult. They can also become paranoid, and actually hide to avoid rescue
• This technology can locate any wanderer during the day or night, in any weather - even if he/she is not cooperating in his/her own rescue effort

Please contact the Teller County Public Works Administration office at 719-687-8812, and we will be happy to help.

Yes. The County purchased the property with the idea that it would serve three open-land protection functions:

1. Buffer/In-holding;
2. Natural Areas and Nongame Wildlife Habitat,
3. Community Separators.

For a detailed description of the sources of funds for the $1.1 million purchase of Catamount Ranch Resource Protection Area, view the Catamount Purchase Financial Information page.

The primary intent was to protect the land. This goal was met by the Conservation Easement, which is a legal deed restriction. It protects the land in perpetuity and substantially restricts any present and future uses on the property to maintain prescribed conservation values.

Teller County will be trading 35-acre parcels with the Catamount Institute. The trade will provide the County with property adjacent to Edlowe Road (County Road #28), and the opportunity to create a trailhead and trail linkages into the remainder of the Catamount Ranch Resource Protection Area that easily accessible to Teller County residents. In addition, the trade gives the Catamount Institute 35 acres adjacent to its current property.

Yes, in 2006. Our target opening date will be in early summer. Parks Division staff will be working throughout the fall and winter updating management plans, writing grants, securing funds and volunteer support, and constructing a trailhead and trail linkages to meet our goals. In the meantime, the Catamount Institute will continue to offer group educational programs and hikes on both Institute and county-owned property. For current access policies, view the access policy (PDF).

• An Appeal is a formal disagreement with the Assessor's final determination of the valuation or classification of your property after you have protested. This appeal is made to the County Board of Equalization.
• A Protest is a formal disagreement with the Assessor's valuation or classification of your property.

You may protest your value only from the 1st business day in May to the 1st business day in June (typically May 1 to June 9).
Do Not miss the deadline or you will not be able to protest after June 9.

For the 2025 appeal period, your value is the Assessor's Office estimate of the value of the property as of June 30, 2024. This date is set by Colorado law. The Assessor can only consider sales and other market information from prior to June 30, 2024.

You have three options for protesting:

1. Complete the protest form on the back of your Notice of Value (NOV). Please be sure to complete the information and sign the form or your protest cannot be logged.
2.  Log on to the Online Protest Form. You will need the PIN number found on the mailed Notice of Value (NOV), in the upper right hand corner under the Assessor's website address. This form is only available during May 1 to June 9.
3. You may call our office at 719-689-2941 and make an appointment to meet with an Assessor's Office staff member and protest in person. If you cannot locate your Notice of Value (NOV), please contact our office and we will email you a copy.

Note: If you are protesting in an even-numbered year, your right to appeal expires June 1 of that even-numbered year.

Suggestions for Protesting your Valuation or Classification

To assist you in protesting your value, please do the following:

• Review all of the characteristics shown for your property online. Make the Assessor's office aware of any characteristics that are not correct as this will affect your estimated value.
• Review the comparable sales data used to value your property.

Show facts, such as:

• Assessor failed to properly consider a factor relevant to valuation
• Assessor failed to take into account relevant differences in the physical characteristics of comparable properties

Note: Your value is based on Market sales - not based on your neighbor's value. You will need to use comparable market sales to value your home.

If the Assessor denies your request for revaluation, you may appeal to the County Board of Equalization (CBOE). If you request a hearing, you may:

• Request all available data from the Assessor that was used to support the valuation. The request must be made in writing. The data must be provided to you no less than two days before the hearing date.
• Be present at the CBOE hearing and provide evidence about the protested valuation or designate a representative to represent you.

For the 2023 appeal period, your value is the Assessor's Office estimate of the value of the property as of June 30, 2022. This date is set by Colorado law. The CBOE can only consider sales and other market information from prior to June 30, 2022.

If the CBOE denies the taxpayer's request, the taxpayer may request binding arbitration, appeal to the State BAA (Board of Assessment Appeals) or to District Court.
More information about District Court

The Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA) hears appeals filed by real and personal property owners about their assigned property values after the CBOE has rendered a decision on the appeal of the Assessor's valuation. If you disagree with the CBOE's decision, you may appeal to the BAA within 30 days from the date of the CBOE decision.
Information about rules and the current Appeal Form.

If you do not agree with the decision of the BAA, you may appeal to the Court of Appeals.

Suggestions for Protesting Your Value

To assist you in protesting your value, please do the following:

• Review all of the characteristics shown for your property online. Make the Assessor's office aware of any characteristics that are not correct as this will affect your estimated value.
• Review the comparable sales data used to value your property.

There are two ways to access the data:

1. The Assessor's Office link to the Property Records Database Search. Select an option for searching your property (name, address, legal, etc.). Bring up your property record and click on the link under your property's legal description for the comparable sales.
2. If you do not have computer access or, if you have difficulty in accessing this information, request the comparable sales used to value your property.

Make an appointment with the appraiser who is handling your area and bring all of your information with you, including:

1. Any appraisals done within the time frame,
2. Any market analysis provided by a real estate broker, and
3. Any other information that will help the appraiser

Please complete the Withdrawal Form (PDF) and email, fax, scan, mail or personally deliver the signed form.

Contact Info
Assessor Office Location
Teller County Courthouse
101 W Bennett Avenue
Cripple Creek, CO 80813

Mailing Address: 
P.O. Box 1008 
Cripple Creek, CO 80813

Phone:719-689-2941 Fax: 719-689-0988
Email the Assessor

Office Hours
Monday through Friday (except Holidays)
8 am to 4:30 pm. 

We offer low cost or no cost confidential services. Fees for birth control services and supplies based on a sliding scale according to income level. In addition, we have other programs you may qualify for to cover recommended cancer screenings.

Due to our varying clinic hours, we recommend scheduling an appointment when possible. However, we do accept walk-ins but annual exams are by appointment only. Phone: 719-687-6416

Yes, our services are confidential. We will not give out your personal information without a signed consent.

Yes, we provide two types of emergency contraception at our clinics, Plan B One-Step® and Ella®.

• Plan B One-Step® contains the hormone levonorgestrel. Plan B One-Step® contains a higher dose of levonorgestrel than regular birth control pills, but works in a similar way to prevent pregnancy, mainly by stopping the release of an egg from the ovary.
• Plan B One-Step® may also work by preventing fertilization of an egg or by preventing attachment (implantation) to the uterus (womb). You should use Plan B One-Step® within 72 hours (3 days) after you have had unprotected sex or experienced birth control failure.
• Plan B One-Step® is available without a prescription.

ella® works by decreasing progesterone in the body which can stop or delay ovulation and may also change the lining of the uterus preventing the egg from implanting after ovulation.
ella® should be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex or birth control failure. ella® is only available by prescription.

The sooner you take any emergency contraception, the better it works. Emergency contraception is a backup method of birth control you can use when:

• Your regular birth control was used incorrectly or failed
• You did not use any birth control method

Our health providers will meet with you one-on-one to discuss sexual and reproductive health topics, and questions and can assist you with contraceptive decision-making.

No one will be turned away for their inability to pay.

No, under Colorado law (Colorado Revised Statute 13-22-105) teens can access these services without parental consent

We see all gender identities.

We accept Medicaid. We do not bill private insurance. However, you may pay for services out-of-pocket (sliding fee scale) and submit the bill to your insurance company.

Colorado WIC is a nutrition program that provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthy food and other services free of charge to Colorado families who qualify. WIC is The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.

WIC is administered by the Colorado Department of Health and Environment.

Colorado WIC wants to see your family happy, healthy and thriving. In addition to food assistance, we also provide nutrition education; breastfeeding counseling and pumps; and the support you need to keep your family healthy.

Residents of Teller County and Southern Park County obtain services through Teller County Public Health

WIC's goal is to help keep pregnant and breastfeeding women and children younger than age 5 healthy. To do this, WIC provides:

• Personalized nutrition consultation
• Breastfeeding information, support and referrals
• Free, healthy food
• Referrals for medical and dental care, health insurance, child care, housing, lactation support, and other services that can benefit the whole family

And that's not all! WIC also offers nutrition and health education on a variety of topics including meal planning, maintaining a healthy weight, picky eaters, caring for a new baby, working and breastfeeding, and shopping on a budget.

WIC food benefits make it easier for you to provide the healthy, delicious foods that you feel good about giving your family. WIC food benefits are also easy to use. Use them to get free healthy food, including:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Cereal and whole grain breads
• Milk and cheese
• Tofu and soy beverage
• Eggs
• 100% Fruit juice
• Peanut butter and Beans
• Canned fish
• Baby foods
• Supplemental infant formula

Do you have questions? Contact Teller County Public Health today to learn more.

WIC is for all kinds of families: married, single and foster parents; working or not working.

You can participate in WIC if you:

• Live in Colorado
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding, and/or have a child younger than 5 years old
• Have a family income less than WIC Income Guidelines
• Current WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines

If you currently get Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program) or SNAP, you are automatically WIC income eligible. Foster children younger than age 5 are automatically eligible for WIC.

WIC welcomes men! WIC recognizes the important role that fathers, grandparents, stepparents, and other guardians play in caring for children. Fathers and other caregivers of children younger than 5 are encouraged to bring their children to appointments, attend nutrition and health education, and use the eWIC card in grocery stores.

Call Teller County Public Health at 719-687-6416 and ask for the WIC Program specialist to set up an appointment.

WIC clinics statewide are now issuing eWIC cards to WIC families. (No More Checks!) WIC clients use their eWIC card like a debit card to purchase WIC approved foods at authorized WIC grocery stores.

More information on eWIC cards

Statements are usually mailed around January 25th. If you have not received your statement by February 15th, please call the Treasurer's Office at 719-689-2985. You can get a free copy of your tax statement via the Research Account Detail, listed above.

Yes, please check the Treasurer's Office. You can get a free copy of your tax statement via the "Research Treasurer's Detail".

No, you are still responsible for paying taxes on time. Please contact us to ensure that we have the correct mailing address on file.

If making two equal payments, taxes are due February 28th and June 15th. If making a single, whole amount, payment, that payment is due April 30th.

For the purposes of current year tax payments only, and there are no other tax liens on the property, it shall be deemed to have been timely if filed on the next business day in the Treasurer’s office.

There are 2 ways. First one: if you pay by mail and send a stamped/self addressed envelope, we will send you a receipt. Second is through the website, Treasurer's Office, then by clicking on the "Research Treasurer's Detail".

In most cases, a portion of your monthly house payment goes toward property taxes, and then the mortgage company ensures that the taxes are paid. However, there are some exceptions.

Yes, we accept personal checks, unless there is an existing tax lien on the property.

No, we do not accept post dated checks.

Please make your check out to "Teller County Treasurer," and also please indicate your account number on the check.

No. We accept mailed in, over the phone, and online payments, as well.

Yes. Payments with Credit Card incur a 2.4% convenience fee that will be added to the amount paid. Payments with an eCheck incur a $1.50 convenience fee that will be added to the amount paid.

You will receive an email confirmation of your payment immediately. It could take up to 3 business days for the Treasurer's Detail to be updated.

Yes, we accept credit card payments in the office.

We handle this the same way as a bad personal check. The account incurs a $20.00 bad check fee, and the County Treasurer reserves the right to add your name to the Bad Check Writer's Listing, thereby your use of personal checks and eChecks to pay taxes will be indefinitely suspended.

Yes, we can accept payment over the phone.

Only in the rarest of circumstances will we allow for prepayment of property taxes. In nearly all cases we do not allow it.

The only payment options you have are 2 equal payments, or one single payment. While the idea of a monthly tax payment is appealing, it actually increases county workload 600%-plus per account.

Interest accrues on unpaid amounts at a rate of 1% per month. Accounts with less than $50.00 due will incur an additional $25.00 fee, if not paid by June 15th.

A penalty of up to $25 will be added to taxes of $50 or less if not paid by June 15th, per Colorado statute.

No, we do not report non-payment of taxes to the credit bureaus.

There is a $20.00 bad check fee, and the County Treasurer reserves the right to add your name to the Bad Check Writer's Listing, thereby your use of personal checks and eChecks to pay taxes will be indefinitely suspended.

The County Treasurer does not set tax rates, nor do we do assessments. For the estimated value of your property, please contact the Assessor's Office, and for the mill levy rates applied, please contact the governing bodies of your local entities, such as water, school and fire districts.

That is done through the Assessor's Office. Please check the Seniors / Veterans / Gold Star Spouses Tax Exemptions Page.

The process is a long one, and it will not be immediately available when you apply. For more information, please check the Seniors / Veterans / Gold Star Spouses Tax Exemptions Page.

That listing will be available in late September, both on-line and via our paper of record, The Pikes Peak Courier.

Yes. Please contact our office to discuss. The listing is available to view or download County Held Liens (PDF)

It is the first full weekend in November.

To both questions, the answer is a firm "No." You hold a lien against the property, not the property itself. Visiting or entering the property would be trespassing.

While the owner of the property is a matter of public record, we absolutely do not recommend that you contact the property owner to "get them to pay," or for any other reason. On the strongest of terms, we discourage such activity.

After you hold the lien for 3 years, you may apply for a deed.

We can accept credit cards (both in the office and online) to satisfy a lien. Only other forms of payment will be with certified funds (cash, cashier's check, or money order).

A Special Event is a single event or celebration that operates at a fixed location for no more than 14 days.  In Teller County examples would be The Veterans’ Day Rally in Woodland Park, Donkey Derby Days in Cripple Creek, Victor’s Gold Rush Days, and other similar events. Market-type may also have a variety of food vendors as well as Temporary Food Vendors.

Ongoing craft and farmer’s market type of event venues require Market Screenings for each vendor selling any sort of product that is intended for human consumption at any Teller County Market event, to include but not limited to: Woodland Park Farmer’s Market, Woodland Park indoor Winter Market, Makers Market at Paradox, Florissant Growers and Makers Market, Hunt and Homestead indoor Marketplace. The screening may result in the requirement of a temporary food license. Please also submit a Food Vendor application if the screening indicates your operation requires a license. Contact EH.Food@TellerCounty.gov with questions. 

Screening applications submitted without required documentation will be rejected and cause delay of approval.

Special Event Coordinators have many roles in planning the event! One of the most important roles is to make sure no one becomes sick from eating food at your event. You can take accountability for this by making sure all food vendors receive approval from Environmental Health. This also means excluding last-minute vendors or those that never receive approval. You are also encouraged to say something to the vendor and or report issues to Environmental Health should you see something that is obviously dangerous or inappropriate for food service! You must complete the Coordinator Application for Events with Food application and return it to Environmental Health at least 10 days before the event. This will include the names of all the food vendors, as well as information about the length of your event, amenities, and special situations-like if there are donkeys available to pet. You will also want to make sure there are plenty of toilets-especially if adult beverages are present! Handwashing is important for guests as well as food makers. If the weather allows it, consider adding handwashing stations near port-o-potties or close to the food areas.

A special event food vendor is any person selling food for human consumption, on or off site, at a special event. Not all food vendors are required to obtain a Temporary Event Food Vendor License, but all are required to obtain approval from Teller County Environmental Health Department.

The main reason is to ensure food is being prepared safely for the public. The application explains expectations and limitations to the prospective vendor. Obtaining a license ensures that the operator is capable of providing at least the minimum standards to prepare food safely. It also provides a record of food providers during an event, should there be an outbreak associated with the event.

At least 7 days prior to the event.

If an organization or individual would like to have a food booth at one of the Temporary/Special Events in Teller County, a Retail Food Establishment License (RFE License) is required, and the operation must comply with the COLORADO RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS.  Charitable and non-profit organizations located in Teller County are exempt from fees but are expected to follow the food safety requirements. Charitable and non-profit organizations from outside of Teller County are required to pay for a license. 

A Temporary Food Vendor License is needed for food retailers operating in a temporary setup, such as a tent, kiosk, or temporary structure.

If you are making food that does not fall under the Colorado Cottage Food Act, you will need to obtain a Special Event License.

If you are providing samples over 3oz, you will need a Temporary Food Vendor License.

Any vendor selling or providing any goods intended for human consumption must at least complete the first page of the screening questionnaire for approval. 

Further guidance is on the application. Email EH.Food@TellerCounty.gov if you still have questions.

No, you would need to obtain a Teller County Temporary Food Vendor License. We do not honor Temporary Permits from any other Colorado county.

Limited (funnel cakes, fries, frozen yogurt, freshly squeezed lemonade, etc.) | 1 Day Event, 2-7 Day Event, 8-14 Day Event, or Multiple Events (good for calendar year)

Full Menu (burgers, gyros, turkey legs, etc.) | 1 Day Event, 2-7 Day Event, 8-14 Day Event, or Multiple Events (good for calendar year)

This is when one event runs 2-7 days or 8-14 days consecutively.

The Temporary Food Vendor License is tied to each point of sale.

Therefore, if you have multiple booths/tents/setups at a single event, each setup needs a temporary Food Vendor License.

You can find an application for a Special Event Permit online. Return the completed application to EH.Food@TellerCounty.gov, in person at 11115 W. HWY 24, or mail to PO Box 928, Divide, CO 80814.

Make your payment with cash or check, call 719-687-6416, or click TCPHE online payments to make credit card payments.

Incomplete applications, or screening forms without documents, will be rejected and can delay approval.

No exceptions will be made for submitting documents, payments, or screening applications 5 days before an event. Plan ahead!

Yes, if you obtain a Temporary Food Vendor License. Your Retail Food Establishment License covers operation only within your brick and mortar. A Temporary Food Vendor License will cover operation outside of your facility at the event.

No you may not. Colorado Food Protection Act forbids food vending from temporary establishments outside of organized events.

To obtain a Retail Food Establishment License, you must already have a single or multiple event tax license issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue. Even if you have an existing permanent license from the Colorado Department of Revenue, for example a sales tax license for a brick and mortar restaurant that you own, you are still required to have this separate license from the Department of Revenue.  If you have a current sales tax account with the Department of Revenue, there is no charge for the single or multiple event license. However, if you apply online or by mail it can take up to 6 weeks, so if time is a factor, you should consider going to the closest Department of Revenue office and applying in person. Note, a temporary sales tax license is not required of Colorado State license Mobile Retail Food

Establishments which should already have its own associated sales tax license.

Once you have your single or multiple event license issued, you can apply to Teller County Environmental Health for your Temporary/Special Event License to serve food at the event. Retail Food Licenses are issued per event or multiple events, depending on how you choose to operate. You can always add events on to your previous application for an adjusted license fee.

Currently the Temporary/Special Event License fees are as follows (subject to change):

Food must never be stored or made at a private residence. Tent vendors will likely require a Commissary.

A handwashing station Must be located at each food vendor booth.

Screening applications submitted without required documentation will be rejected and cause delay of approval.

Incomplete license packets will be rejected and cause delay of approval.

All fees must be paid before license is provided.

See Temporary Event Guidelines for more details.

Applications and required fees received less than 5 days before the event will NOT be approved. No exceptions.

We do:

• Retail Food Establishment (RFE): 
  1. Restaurant Inspections
  2. New restaurant-plan review
  3. Licensing and renewals
  4. Change of Ownership
  5. Complaint response(internal link to complaint form) this does not exist yet
• Temporary RFE permits and inspections
• Mobile Food Trucks/Trailers/Carts
• Institutional Facility Inspections
  • Public childcare centers
  • Summer Camps
  • Day Camps
  • Private childcare centers, complaint response only
  • Public, Private, and Charter Schools
• Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS aka septic) 
  • Permits
  • Inspections
  • Soil Analysis
  • Complaints of failed systems
• Complaint response for public pools(internal link to complaint form)
• Complaint response at body art facilities(internal link to complaint form)
• Complaint response concerning improper disposal of quantities of wastewater (internal link to complaint form)
• Provide private well-water sampling kits
• Provide Radon test kits
• Submit samples for rabies testing
• Respond to concerns of other zoonotic and vector borne diseases(internal link to complaint form)

We do not: 

• Mold removal  or assessment, in rentals
• Mobile Home complaints
• Trash, Litter, Animal feces complaints

Code Enforcement: Teller, Woodland Park, Cripple Creek, Victor

• Other Land Use or wildlife complaints
• Lead assessment
• Pest abatement
• Tenant-Landlord concerns and habitability disputes
• Concerns inside of a private residence; housing emergencies
• Drinking water quality, private or public
• Outdoor Air quality
• Laboratory testing for any environmental factor
• Transfer-of-title inspections for OWTS are not required 
• Regulate tattoo/body-piercing establishments
• Respond to public indoor smoking concerns
• Respond to hair and nail salon complaints
• Respond to VRBO/Airbnb/hotel lodging complaints
• Response to Assisted Living Facility Concerns