Estate Planning for Chaffee County, Colorado Property Owners
For most Chaffee County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.
For a Chaffee County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Combined Court. The two tools that keep a Chaffee County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Chaffee County property passes through the Combined Court — even simple Colorado probates run 4+ months and start with $229 in filing fees. Colorado also lets owners name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on vehicle titles, which keeps cars out of the same process.
Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Chaffee County
A beneficiary deed lets an owner name a beneficiary who receives Chaffee County property automatically at death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Clerk and Recorderduring the owner’s lifetime and can be revoked any time.
Before recording, a Colorado beneficiary deed needs notary acknowledgment. The deed must be recorded before the owner's death to take effect.
Where to Record Property Documents
Deeds and other real property documents for Chaffee County are recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder at 104 Crestone Avenue, Room 100, Salida, CO 81201. Phone: 719-530-5602. Hours: Monday - Thursday, 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM (closed Friday).
Recording costs $43 flat, regardless of page count; TOD deeds are generally transfer-tax exempt. Page count, cover sheets, and any local transfer-tax add-ons under Colorado law can change the final amount, so confirm the total with the County Clerk and Recorder before submitting.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 699, Salida, CO 81201.
Salida main office. Buena Vista branch office at 112 Linderman Avenue, Buena Vista, CO 81211 (719-395-8296).
Recording Office Record
County Clerk and Recorder
Chaffee County
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $43 |
Effective July 1, 2025, Colorado recording fees changed from a per-page structure to a flat $43.00 per document ($40.00 base fee under CRS 30-1-103(1) + $3.00 in surcharges under CRS 30-10-421(1) and CRS 24-21-403(2)). No fee is charged for recording a certificate of death, a verification of death document, or a certified copy thereof (CRS 30-1-103(1), as amended by HB24-1269). E-recording is available in most counties via Simplifile or CSC.
CRS 30-1-103(1) (recording fee, $40 flat); CRS 30-10-421(1)(b) (filing surcharge, $1); CRS 24-21-403(2) (electronic recording technology board surcharge, up to $2); CRS 39-13-102 (documentary fee); HB24-1269 (flat fee amendment)
Transfer tax
Documentary fee of $0.01 per $100 of consideration when consideration exceeds $500 (CRS 39-13-102). Transfer-on-death deeds are generally exempt (No documentary fee is due on a Colorado beneficiary deed. CRS 15-15-402(1): "A beneficiary deed need not be supported by consideration." CRS 39-13-102(2)(a): "When there is no consideration ... no documentary fee shall be payable." The deed transfers nothing until the owner's death (CRS 15-15-402(1)).). The documentary fee is collected by the County Clerk and Recorder at the time of recording. It applies to warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, personal representative deeds, and other instruments where consideration exceeding $500 is exchanged.
Salida main office. Buena Vista branch office at 112 Linderman Avenue, Buena Vista, CO 81211 (719-395-8296).
Verified September 4, 2026 · Source
A Living Trust Covers More Than One Deed
A transfer-on-death deed moves a single property. A revocable living trust holds the home, bank and investment accounts, and other assets together, so the whole estate skips the Combined Court — not just the house. For a Chaffee County family with more than one major asset, the trust is usually the cleaner plan.
Create a Revocable Trust in 15 minutes
Legal Sources
- CRS 30-1-103(1) (recording fee, $40 flat); CRS 30-10-421(1)(b) (filing surcharge, $1); CRS 24-21-403(2) (electronic recording technology board surcharge, up to $2); CRS 39-13-102 (documentary fee); HB24-1269 (flat fee amendment)
Data sourced from Colorado statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deeds and other real property documents for Chaffee County are recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder at 104 Crestone Avenue, Room 100, Salida, CO 81201. Call 719-530-5602 to confirm current recording procedures.
Recording a deed in Chaffee County costs $43 flat, regardless of page count; TOD deeds are generally transfer-tax exempt. Page count, required cover sheets, and any local transfer tax can change the final total.
Chaffee County does not offer e-recording. Plan to record by mail or in person at the County Clerk and Recorder.
The County Clerk and Recorder is open Monday - Thursday, 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM (closed Friday). Reach the office at 719-530-5602. Confirm whether walk-in or mail-in recording is preferred before you go.
Yes. Deeds recorded in Colorado must be signed in front of a notary before the County Clerk and Recorder will accept them. A transfer-on-death deed follows the same execution rules — see the Chaffee County signing requirements.
A transfer-on-death (TOD) deed names a beneficiary who receives the property automatically when the owner dies, without probate. The deed is recorded with the County Clerk and Recorderduring the owner’s lifetime. Start one with the Colorado TOD deed form.
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