Front Range
Arapahoe County
Property taxes, marriage licenses, vehicle services, and many public records run through Arapahoe County. Permits and local rules may sit with a town or city instead, so match the office to the exact address.
Official county shortcuts
Take the task to the office that handles it
These links go straight to the official county or regional office shown. Check that page for current documents, hours, appointments, fees, and address-specific instructions. A city may run its own permit office.
Property tax snapshot
Typical property tax in Arapahoe County
The average total mill levy across Arapahoe County was about 96.5 mills for tax year 2023 — above the statewide average of about 81 mills. On a $500,000 home, that comes to roughly $3,203 a year, using Colorado's 2026 residential rules: 7.05% on school mills, and 6.8% on the rest after the local actual-value adjustment.
This is the county average across all tax areas. Your parcel's actual mill levy depends on its exact tax area — a metro or special district can add many mills on top — so confirm the real number with the county assessor.
Sales tax: the state charges 2.9% and Arapahoe County adds 0.25%, for 3.15% before any city or special district. See Colorado sales tax rates ->
Source: Colorado Division of Property Taxation, 53rd Annual Report (2023) — Average Levies by County.
Incorporated places in this county
These cities and towns touch Arapahoe County. Some cross a county line. Every name opens a direct place page, and selected places include a fuller local guide.
Get to know Arapahoe County
The history, land, and character behind the place.
Outdoors and wildfire
Cherry Creek State Park is a state park, with state park rules
Cherry Creek State Park in Arapahoe County is run by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, so it follows state park rules for entry passes and boat inspections.
Read note ->History and culture
Littleton's Main Street is a Victorian downtown you can walk in an afternoon
Littleton's Main Street Historic District packs brick storefronts, a 1920 town hall turned theater, and seasonal festivals into a few walkable blocks on the National Register.
Read note ->History and culture
Aurora's Havana Street is a four-mile run of immigrant kitchens
Along roughly four miles of Havana Street in Aurora, immigrant-owned Ethiopian, Somali, East African, Vietnamese, Korean and Mexican restaurants cluster together in one of the metro area's most international dining corridors.
Read note ->History and culture
Littleton is the Arapahoe County seat, and it started with a flour mill
Littleton grew from Richard Little's 1860s homestead and the Rough and Ready Flour Mill, and it has served as the seat of Arapahoe County government.
Read note ->Money and taxes (22)
Money and taxes
Why a Denver-metro receipt in Arapahoe County has extra tax layers
Most of Arapahoe County sits inside regional districts like RTD and SCFD that add their own sales tax on top of state and city rates.
Read note ->Money and taxes
Arapahoe property taxes start with the assessor, then move to the treasurer
In Arapahoe County the Assessor owns property value and exemptions; the Treasurer owns the bill, the payment, and where the money goes.
Read note ->Home and property (20)
Home and property
Expansive soils are a normal home question along Arapahoe County's Front Range
Much of the Front Range urban corridor that includes Arapahoe County sits on clay-rich soils that can swell and shift, which is why foundations get extra attention here.
Read note ->Home and property
Arapahoe County building permits mainly mean unincorporated property
County Public Works permits mostly cover unincorporated addresses; if your home is inside a city, start with the city.
Read note ->Water and land (18)
Water and land
An Arapahoe County private well starts with a state permit record
An Arapahoe County private well is a state water-rights record, not just a pump, and the permit decides what the water may be used for.
Read note ->Water and land
Arapahoe stormwater facilities come with maintenance records
A detention pond or rain garden in Arapahoe County carries a recorded maintenance agreement and an O&M manual naming who keeps it working.
Read note ->Outdoors and wildfire (17)
Outdoors and wildfire
The High Line Canal Trail is a 71-mile cottonwood corridor for walking and riding
Beyond its old irrigation role, the High Line Canal is a long, tree-lined recreation trail that threads Arapahoe County and stitches the south metro together for walkers, riders, and cyclists.
Read note ->Outdoors and wildfire
Richmil Ranch keeps a windmill and prairie edge near Deer Trail
A half mile northwest of Deer Trail, Richmil Ranch Open Space keeps 352 acres of prairie, soft trails, and a restored windmill from its ranching days.
Read note ->Cars and driving (19)
Cars and driving
Arapahoe County motor vehicle visits start with the appointment question
In-person motor vehicle service in Arapahoe County is appointment-only, but many tasks can be done online and driver licenses go through the State.
Read note ->Cars and driving
Arapahoe County registration renewals do not use the appointment line
A plate renewal in Arapahoe County goes by phone, online, kiosk, mail, or drop box; there is no in-person renewal counter.
Read note ->Local rules (21)
Local rules
In Arapahoe County, a metro district can be its own line on the bill
Many newer Arapahoe County neighborhoods sit inside a metropolitan district that adds its own charge on top of city and county taxes.
Read note ->Local rules
In Arapahoe County, your address decides who makes the rules
An Arapahoe County property may be inside a city like Centennial or Aurora, or in unincorporated county, and that decides which government sets the local rules.
Read note ->History and culture (24)
History and culture
From Fitzsimons Army Hospital to the Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora's busy medical campus grew out of an Army tuberculosis hospital that once held the largest building in Colorado.
Read note ->History and culture
Arapahoe County carries the name of the Arapaho people
Arapahoe County is named for the Arapaho people, who lived across the eastern Colorado plains long before the county was drawn.
Read note ->Nearby counties
Other Front Range counties — rules, rates, and districts shift across county lines.