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Resident alleges assessor created illegal subdivision and took 1.82 acres; county says it will investigate
Summary
A Kiowa‑area homeowner told commissioners the county assessor reassigned 1.82 acres from her deed years after purchase, imposed non‑ag taxes and sold a tax lien; the county said it had not been notified previously and would follow up with appropriate staff.
At the March 12 meeting a resident, Christie Coffin, alleged that Elbert County’s assessor office improperly created a separate 1.82‑acre parcel from her property, assigned it a new account and non‑ag taxes, and later sold a tax lien despite her paying taxes. She called the change an unconstitutional taking and cited Senate Bill 35 (1972) as the statute governing small subdivisions.
Coffin said she purchased the property in 2011 as a 41.82‑acre parcel; she said the assessor later assigned the 1.82 acres a new account and a new owner name and assessed it as residential, producing a tax bill she characterized as $1,800 annually. She said she received no notice and that county staff told her to “hire an attorney and sue us.” Coffin asked the board to investigate and noted county subdivision regulations that she said require a development director to enforce subdivisions under 35 acres.
Commissioners acknowledged the complaint. Chairman Byron McDaniel said, “It’s the first I’ve heard of it. I will get with the appropriate people and circle back to you.” No formal action or vote occurred at the meeting; the county did not provide an immediate statutory or administrative response on the record.
The resident cited Senate Bill 35; county staff did not identify a corrective action at the meeting but said they would follow up with the appropriate county personnel.
