GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — A new option is now available to help Mesa County property owners better manage the often daunting burden of annual tax bills. Residents who own their property outright — and who aren’t behind on taxes — can now pay their property taxes monthly instead of once or twice a year.

The initiative, which officially launched this week, is being offered through a third-party service known as Escrow Taxes, and it’s gaining traction as an alternative to large, infrequent payments.

“It could really ease the cash flow stressors in the months when property tax is due and just give people a predictable budget per month,” said Sheila Reiner, Mesa County Treasurer.

Property taxes, broken into bite-sized chunks

Traditionally, Mesa County property owners have had to make one or two lump-sum payments every year. But that method, according to county officials, can be financially overwhelming — especially for retirees, fixed-income households, or anyone juggling seasonal income.

The new escrow-based system allows qualified homeowners to make smaller monthly contributions instead. These payments are held by Escrow Taxes and forwarded to the county at the proper due dates.

“This isn’t just about convenience,” Reiner said. “It’s about helping people stay on track with their financial goals and avoid sudden financial strain.”

No added cost to taxpayers — or the county

One notable feature of the program: it won’t cost taxpayers any extra. Because Escrow Taxes is handling the logistics, Mesa County isn’t spending additional public funds or adding new staff to process more frequent payments.

That’s a win for both homeowners and county administrators, especially as Colorado lawmakers consider legislation that could eventually require counties to offer similar monthly payment options themselves.

“It really makes it much better on Mesa County,” Reiner said. “We would have had to process many more payments manually, and that would have increased our workload significantly.”

Who qualifies?

To participate in the new monthly payment option, homeowners must meet two key conditions:

• They must own their home outright (i.e., no mortgage lender handling tax escrow).

• They must not have any delinquent property taxes.

If both conditions are met, homeowners can enroll through the Escrow Taxes platform. The service will calculate a monthly amount based on the current year’s taxes, and participants can begin contributing toward their next bill in manageable monthly installments.

A forward-looking solution for rising tax pressure?

The pilot program arrives at a time when property tax debates are heating up across Colorado. With home values on the rise and housing affordability still a concern, more residents are looking for flexible solutions to manage rising costs.

County officials believe this type of partnership could be a model for other jurisdictions looking to meet the needs of modern property owners — without tapping into local budgets.

While Mesa County has no plans (yet) to offer the service directly, Reiner says that working with a third party is a practical first step.

“We’re always looking for ways to serve our community more efficiently,” she said. “This is one of those solutions that just makes sense.”

Learn more

Property owners interested in the monthly escrow program can find details and sign up through the Escrow Taxes platform online. The Mesa County Treasurer’s Office also has more information available on its website.