Tax Lien Sale

Purpose


The Treasurer is required by law to collect property taxes and distribute them to taxing authorities in the county. The tax lien sale is held to collect unpaid taxes so that the taxing authorities are able to meet their budgets. These taxes are purchased by investors who earn interest on the tax liens placed on the property. The interest rate on the investment is set at 9 points above the Federal Reserve’s discount rate on September 1st each year.

When and Where


The annual tax lien sale is usually held the first Thursday in November. 
The sale begins promptly at 10:00 a.m, and is normally held in the District Courtroom on the top floor of the Delta County Courthouse at 501 Palmer, Delta. 

Who may participate?


By statute, C.R.S. 39-11-151 (1)(b), no tax lien shall be sold to an elected or appointed county official, to a county employee, or to a member of the immediate family of such person or to the agent of any such county official or employee during the time the official or employee holds office or is employed.

Registration


Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. the morning of the sale. The county is required by the Internal Revenue Service to issue 1099 INT forms. Buyers are required to complete a W-9 form at the time of registration. No registrations will be allowed after the start of the sale. Please note that for safety purposes seating is limited.

Procedures


The tax lien sale is conducted in a round robin fashion, starting at a random place in the room.  There are no premium bids.  Each participant is responsible to follow his/her list as the sale is performed and bid or pass by holding up his/her bidder number when his/er turn arrives.  Participants are responsible for tracking their bids during the sale to confirm payment following the sale.

End of Sale


All tax liens are sold and issued the day of the sale. Purchases must be paid by 2:00 p.m. the day of the sale. Purchases may be paid in cash, check, money order or certified funds. We do not accept credit cards. Tax lien certificates will be held in safekeeping by the treasurer’s office.

Elements of Risk


There is an element of risk in buying tax liens. All liens are sold buyer beware.

Link


Current Tax Lien Sale List (updated weekly prior to the tax lien sale held on the first Thursday in November)