Two energy companies say they overpaid their property taxes in Garfield County and are seeking refunds totaling $7.2 million, their demands backed up by a state Supreme Court decision.
Encana says it is owed $6 million and Caerus says it is due $1.2 million.
In November, the state Supreme Court ruled in OXY USA Inc. v. Mesa County Board of Commissioners, finding that companies can request abatement from counties and other local taxing districts on their own reporting errors.
Garfield County assessor Jim Yellico said he anticipates the refunds to be approved soon.
“The county has a track record of treating taxpayers fairly, so I believe they’ll pay it,” he said.
That $7.2 million refund would end up being split among all the local property taxing districts, not just the county. That would include Grand River Hospital, the Garfield County Library District, two fire districts, the Parachute Recreation District, the RE-2 and Garfield County 16 school districts, Colorado Mountain College, and any other taxing district that receives property tax revenue from the energy companies.
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