Thornton Property Taxes: Mill Levies and Metro Districts

Thornton property tax: the school district sets the floor

Thornton property tax is billed by Adams County, and on most Thornton bills the biggest single line is the school district. Thornton is split among Adams 12 Five Star Schools, School District 27J and a couple of others, and that alone moves a plain Thornton tax area from about 90 to 113 mills. Metro districts in the newer north and east neighborhoods add more on top. This guide shows the 2025 Thornton mill levy by school district, the metro districts to know, and how to look up an address. Call or text 303-955-4220. A live person answers.

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Thornton tax areas by school district

Every plain Thornton tax area starts with the same 42.404 mills: Adams County 27.479, the City of Thornton 10.210, Rangeview Library District (Anythink) 3.715 and the Mile High Flood District 1.000. The school levy is what changes:

• Adams 12 Five Star Schools: 70.956 mills, for a 113.360 total
• School District 27J: 56.290 mills, for a 98.694 total
• Mapleton Public Schools: 53.724 mills, for a 96.128 total
• Adams County School District 14: 47.396 mills, for an 89.800 total

Adams 12's levy rose from 62.705 mills for tax year 2024 to 70.956 for 2025. Some Thornton tax areas also pay North Metro Fire Rescue District, 14.737 mills; in Adams 12 that makes 128.097. The City of Thornton held its own levy at 10.21 mills for 2025.

Thornton metro districts

The City of Thornton's 2025 financial report lists dozens of metropolitan districts overlapping the city. Each one adds its own levy to the base above. A selection of 2025 levies from Adams County's tax-area data:

• Villas at Eastlake Reservoir Metro District: 39.400 mills
• Larkridge Metro District 1: 38.289 mills; District 2: 58.500
• River Valley Village Metro District: 44.000 mills
• Heritage Todd Creek Metro District: 48.424 mills
• Bramming Farm Metro District 1: 55.054 mills
• Riverdale Ranch Metro District: 60.250 mills
• Creekside Village Metro District: 71.350 mills
• Talon Pointe Metro District: 99.003 mills
• Riverdale Peaks II Metro District: 115.871 mills, in a tax area that totals 232.069

Some districts levied nothing for 2025, such as Thornton Commons and Brittany Place. Levies reset each December. Heritage Todd Creek is also a 55+ community; see Thornton 55+ homes. For how metro districts work, read our metro district tax guide.

How to look up a Thornton address

1. Search the address in the Adams County Assessor's Property Look-Up for ownership and assessment details.
2. Find the tax area and its authorities: school district, fire district, metro districts.
3. See the bill and pay on the Adams County Treasurer's online tax site.
4. For a quick picture of every district on an address, the state's Colorado Property Tax Map helps, but its data is unaudited, so confirm on the county record.

Adams County Assessor: 4430 S. Adams County Parkway, Brighton, 303-659-2120.

Appeals and due dates in Adams County

Adams County mails notices of value by May 1 and takes real property appeals May 1 through June 8 by mail, email, fax, in person or online. Someone filing for an owner needs a notarized authorization letter. Decisions go out by August 15; appeals to the County Board of Equalization are due September 15. 2026 was an off year, so the next full notice comes in 2027.

Pay half by February 28 and half by June 15, or the full amount by April 30. Late payments carry interest of 1% a month. Seniors 65+ with 10 years in the home can apply by July 15 for the senior exemption (50% of the first $200,000 of value), veterans with a 100% permanent VA rating by July 1, and seniors and active military can defer taxes through the state program by April 1.

The homes above update live from the MLS. Run each address through the Adams County tools and compare tax areas, not just prices. See new construction in Thornton, the Thornton area guide, and Thornton ranch homes.

Know the tax area before you choose the house

The Kenna Group at Keller Williams DTC pulls the school district, fire district and metro district on any Thornton home you're considering. Call or text 303-955-4220. A live person answers.

The Kenna Group is a real estate group with Keller Williams Realty DTC, LLC (Keller Williams DTC), formerly known as Kenna Real Estate Group, serving Denver metro home buyers and sellers.