Bidding information

The Mesa County Tax Lien Sale will be held via the internet on October 31, 2023.   

The Mesa County Colorado Tax Lien Auction website will allow research to begin on Monday, September 25, 2023.

Accounts referred to the tax sale may be redeemed (meaning the owner could pay and they could fall off of the list) up until the day before the sale.  

• The minimum starting bid for each tax certificate is equal to the amount of the unpaid taxes, interest, penalties, and fees.
• Bid increments shall be one dollar ($1.00).
• Employees and officials of Mesa County, members of their immediate families or their agents may not acquire a tax lien at the Mesa County Tax Lien Sale per C.R.S. 39-11-151.
  “Premium bidding” is at the discretion of the bidder up to 30%. If you bid above 30% in premium you will receive a warning message but can pass by the warning if you choose. Premiums on winning bids are a cost of securing the tax lien and are not returned nor do they draw interest.
• Each batch containing approximately 200 properties will close in one-hour increments. For example, on sale day, Batch 1 will close at 9:00 a.m. (M.D.T.) Batch 2 will close at 10:00 a.m.; Batch 3 will close at 11:00 a.m.; Batch 4 will close at 12:00 Noon; Batch 5 will close at 1:00 p.m.; and Batch 6 will close at 2:00 p.m. If properties remain the final auxiliary batch will close at 5:00 p.m.
• Once a batch closes, the bids become final and may not be changed or withdrawn.
• All successful auction results will be posted by bidder number.
• It is the Bidder’s responsibility to know the quality of the property on which they are paying the taxes and receiving a lien.
• At the close of the auction, all successful bids are final. No changes in, or cancellation of, liens can be made after the lien is sold.

The interest rate will be 15% this year as determined by the Colorado Banking Commission. This rate is updated each September.

• Premiums do not draw interest.
• When redeemed, your certificate will pay nine points over the Federal Discount Rate.  Certificates will earn 15% for the current year’s sale.
• The interest rate may vary annually. The rate is established each year by adding nine percentage points to the federal discount rate and rounding to the nearest percent.

• All bidders must make a deposit before their bid will be accepted. Deposits have a due date. Check the schedule of events.
• Deposits are accepted via ACH only.
• If participants are depositing funds, those funds are due via ACH within Real Auction's website, no later than 2:00 p.m., on the deposit due date. Personal checks and cash will not be accepted.
• Each bidder must make a deposit equal to ten percent (10%) of the total dollar amount of tax certificates the bidder anticipates winning. Final determination regarding the acceptability of any deposit is at the distinction of the Mesa County Treasurer. If a bidder's deposit drops below (10%) of the total dollar amount of all tax certificates won, plus the amount of active bids, while they will show as active they may not be accepted.

Each winning bidder shall make a payment of funds sufficient to cover the total amount of the bidder's winning bids on the Auction Website or in person using certified funds or cash no later than November 1, 2023, 2:00 p.m. MDT;

• If a winning bidder fails to make such payment by this time, the Treasurer may, in the Treasurer’s sole discretion, award the tax certificates to another bidder or may offer the tax lien for sale in accordance with C.R.S. 39-11-116.
• If a winning bidder fails to pay the amount due from bidding on sales, the Treasurer may prohibit a person from participating in future sales up to five years [C.R.S. 39-11-116].

• The Mesa County Tax Lien Sale will be held via the Internet.
• The Mesa County Official Tax Lien Auction website will open for research prior to the date of the sale. Registration and deposits are required in advance.
• More detailed instructions on how the sale works can be found at the “Start Here” button on this website.

• If the owner does not pay future taxes before August 1st each year, you will be notified of the amount due and you may pay them if you wish. Your payment will be endorsed onto your lien and will accrue interest at the same rate as your certificate.
• If you do not wish to endorse, the Treasurer will offer the lien to another bidder for purchase. This may complicate the process for you to obtain a deed because junior lien holders may be involved.
• If the property owner is in bankruptcy, lienholder endorsements on subsequent taxes are not permitted.
• You do not have ownership right to the property, simply a property tax lien until you apply for (after 3 years) and receive a deed.
• If you are the Certificate holder on a property that goes into bankruptcy, the Treasurer will file on your behalf with the Court.