Dolores County approves $4,212.31 tax abatement after assessor error

On March 10, 2026, the Dolores County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a petition to abate $4,212.31 in taxes for 134 South Glaz Avenue after County Assessor Sarah Blackmore said a property-classification change last year was not applied correctly.

Blackmore told the board the property had mixed-use and residential classifications last year and the reclassification was not applied, creating an incorrect tax bill. "It just slipped through the cracks," she said, explaining the assessor's office prepared the petition to correct the payment and issue the abatement.

The abatement arose amid a conversation about confusing new tax forms and multiple assessment rates that affected the calculation. Blackmore said three assessment rates applied to this account and that complexity contributed to the error; she also described a nearby subdivision outside Rico where recent sales of raw land have raised assessed values and could lead to higher taxes for vacant parcels. She told commissioners that owners in that subdivision have "one more year of vacant land taxes now" before potential reclassification.

A commissioner moved to approve the petition for abatement; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. The board did not record member-by-member votes in the transcript; commissioners verbally indicated approval. The petition correction will adjust the county's tax records and relieve the listed taxpayer of the $4,212.31 charge.

The board did not indicate any additional policy changes stemming from the error, and staff said they will continue to assist affected property owners with the corrected paperwork. The meeting adjourned after the action.