Western Slope
La Plata County
Property taxes, marriage licenses, vehicle services, and many public records run through La Plata 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 La Plata County
The average total mill levy across La Plata County was about 46.7 mills for tax year 2023 — below the statewide average of about 81 mills. On a $500,000 home, that comes to roughly $1,542 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 La Plata County adds 2%, for 4.9% 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 La Plata County. Some cross a county line. Every name opens a direct place page, and selected places include a fuller local guide.
Get to know La Plata County
The history, land, and character behind the place.
Water and land
In La Plata County, groundwater is not the same everywhere
Whether a La Plata County property can rely on a domestic well depends heavily on the local geology, which varies a lot across the county.
Read note ->Outdoors and wildfire
Purgatory Resort: Durango's Mountain in Every Season
Twenty-five miles up US 550 from Durango, Purgatory is the county's flagship resort, with deep San Juan snow in winter and an alpine slide, bike park, and chairlift rides in summer.
Read note ->History and culture
The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic: When Durango Cyclists Race the Train
Every Memorial Day weekend, Durango cyclists try to beat the narrow-gauge steam train to Silverton over two high mountain passes, in a race born from a brothers' bet in 1971.
Read note ->Outdoors and wildfire
On the San Juan National Forest, camping rules change by ranger district
The San Juan National Forest covers much of northern La Plata County, and where you can disperse camp or have a campfire depends on the specific area and any current restrictions.
Read note ->Money and taxes (5)
Money and taxes
In La Plata County, two similar homes can have different tax bills
A Colorado property tax bill depends on the local districts an address falls within, so two similar La Plata County homes can owe different amounts.
Read note ->Money and taxes
La Plata County tax payments run through the Treasurer
In La Plata County the Treasurer handles bills, payments, and balances; the Assessor handles value and classification.
Read note ->Home and property (6)
Home and property
Around Durango, defensible space is a normal part of owning a home
Much of La Plata County sits in the wildland-urban interface, where creating defensible space around a home is a routine wildfire-readiness step.
Read note ->Home and property
La Plata County building permits are for unincorporated property
La Plata County building permits cover unincorporated land only, and they hinge on driveway, septic, and water approvals being in place.
Read note ->Water and land (5)
Water and land
Vallecito Reservoir is a big-fish lake with boat-inspection rules
Vallecito Reservoir northeast of Durango holds trout, walleye, and trophy northern pike, and trailered or motorized boats need a Colorado Parks and Wildlife inspection before launching.
Read note ->Water and land
The Animas is Durango's river, and a closely watched one
The Animas River is the heart of Durango's outdoor life, and because it drains old mining country upstream, agencies keep a close eye on its water quality, especially since the 2015 Gold King Mine release.
Read note ->Outdoors and wildfire (6)
Outdoors and wildfire
Bodo State Wildlife Area is winter range, not a city park
Bodo State Wildlife Area just outside Durango is managed for deer and elk, needs a hunting or fishing license or SWA pass to enter, and closes to the public in winter.
Read note ->Outdoors and wildfire
Durango's trailheads start at the edge of downtown
Durango's natural-surface trail systems begin minutes from Main Avenue, free and open to bikes, hikers, and horses alike.
Read note ->Cars and driving (4)
Cars and driving
From Durango, the San Juan Skyway loops a whole mountain range
Durango anchors one end of the San Juan Skyway, a 232-mile loop through the San Juans that the federal government has named an All-American Road.
Read note ->Cars and driving
North of Durango, US 550 climbs the San Juans over Coal Bank and Molas
The drive north from Durango on US 550 is a famous San Juan Skyway stretch over high passes; in winter CDOT may close it during storms, so checking conditions first is routine.
Read note ->Local rules (3)
Local rules
In Durango, short-term rentals are only allowed in certain zones
The City of Durango regulates short-term vacation rentals through permits, allows them only in specific zones, and caps how many can operate in some neighborhoods.
Read note ->Local rules
The Southern Ute reservation covers part of La Plata County, and jurisdiction matters there
The southern part of La Plata County lies within the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, where the Tribe is a sovereign government and jurisdiction can differ from the surrounding county.
Read note ->History and culture (10)
History and culture
Durango exists because of a railroad and the mines it served
The narrow-gauge railroad between Durango and Silverton was built to move ore from the San Juan mines, and it helps explain why Durango sits where it does.
Read note ->History and culture
Fort Lewis College began as a fort, then an Indian boarding school
Fort Lewis College traces back to a U.S. Army post first established in 1878 that later became a federal Indian boarding school, a difficult history tied to a tuition-free promise for Native students.
Read note ->Nearby counties
Other Western Slope counties — rules, rates, and districts shift across county lines.