Thomas Swingle

Candidate

Adams County Assessor

Experienced. Committed. Ready to Lead.

I’m Thomas Swingle, and I’m running for Adams County Assessor to bring experienced leadership, modern tools, and transparent practices to property assessment.

With more than 20 years of hands-on experience, from GIS specialist to real estate appraiser to Deputy Assessor, I’ve dedicated my career to ensuring accurate, fair, and transparent assessments for the people of Adams County.

I hold a degree in Geography from the University of Northern Colorado and have built a career rooted in data-driven public service.  This foundation allows me to ensure that property assessments are both accurate and equitable.

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Core Values

✅ Experience You Can Trust
Over two decades of experience inside the Assessor’s Office, from boots-on-the-ground appraisal to senior leadership. I know how the office works and how to improve it.

 

💻 Advancing Assessment Through Technology
With deep expertise in GIS, statistics, and valuation tech, I’ve led innovation in how properties are assessed. I’ll continue modernizing systems to improve accuracy, fairness, and service.

 

🔍 Transparency and Accountability
You deserve to know how your property is assessed. I’ll make the process more understandable and the office more responsive, through clear communication and accessible tools.

Experience Timeline

  • Deputy Assessor, Adams County
    Leading operations and oversight across departments to ensure equitable, transparent, and data-driven assessments.

  • Real Estate Appraiser & Analyst
    Evaluated complex residential and commercial properties with attention to market trends and fair valuation.

  • Used mapping and spatial data to increase accuracy in parcel data and improve long-term land valuation.

  • B.A. in Geography – University of Northern Colorado
    Specialized in spatial relationships, land use, and geographic information systems (GIS).

🌐 National & Regional Leadership Roles

  • IAAO GIS Task Force – Committee Member

  • URISA GIS Valuation Tech Conference – Program Committee

  • URISA GIS-Pro Conference – Program Committee

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  • My Experience

    • 22+ years in the Assessor’s Office

    • 24 years of GIS expertise

    • 12 years in comprehensive real estate appraisal

    • 6 years of managerial experience

    • 20 years of data analysis

    • 3 years of statistical Regression Analysis

    Professional Memberships

    • IAAO

    • IAAO GIS Task Force Committee

    • Geospatial Professional Network (GPN)

    • GIS Valuation Technologies Conference Committee

    • GIS-Pro Conference Committeegoes here

  • Property Assessment Process

    Real property in the county is revalued every odd-numbered year to ensure accurate and equitable property values.

    • The actual value of real property is determined as of the appraisal date, which is June 30th of the year prior to the reappraisal year.

    • Residential property must be valued using only the market approach.

    • Under this method, the property’s value is estimated by analyzing comparable sales to predict the price it would have sold for on the Appraisal date.

  • Mass appraisal is a process that allows for valuation of a universe of properties on June 30th of every even year in order to produce uniform, fair, and equitable values.

     

  • Property Tax Formula

    Property taxes are calculated using a simple formula:

    Assessment Rate × Property Value × Tax Rate = Property Tax

    Assessors are responsible only for determining one part of this equation - the property value. The assessment rate and tax rate are set by state law and local taxing authorities.

  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) connect data to real-world locations. By displaying information on maps, GIS helps us see relationships, patterns, and trends that might otherwise go unnoticed.

    Mapping & Layers

    GIS maps are built from multiple layers, such as roads, land use, and property boundaries, stacked together to create a complete picture of an area. These layers can be turned on or off to explore how different factors interact in a place.

    Analyzing Data

    Beyond mapping, GIS performs spatial analysis. It can measure distances, highlight areas of high activity, or predict where certain conditions are likely to occur. This helps answer practical questions like where to build new infrastructure or how to protect natural resources.

    GIS in Real Estate Appraisal

    In a County Assessor’s Office, GIS plays a critical role in accurately valuing real estate and supporting transparency in the assessment process. It allows staff to visualize parcel boundaries, analyze neighborhood trends, and compare recent sales data directly on a map. By integrating aerial imagery, zoning, and land-use data, GIS helps appraisers analyze property characteristics, verify changes, and support accurate real estate valuations across the county. The result is a more transparent, data-driven appraisal process that improves efficiency and public trust.

Campaign Trail

A group photo of four people standing in front of a fireplace mantel, with a political campaign sign for Thomas Swingle for Adams County behind them. The group includes a woman, two young men, and a man, all smiling or with neutral expressions.
Two men standing in front of a fireplace mantel, smiling. One man has a beard and is wearing a gray patterned shirt; the other man is wearing glasses and a dark suit with a name tag. Behind them, on the mantle, there is a sign that reads 'Elect Thoma
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Group of people posing indoors, holding signs that read "Thomas Swingle for Adams County Assessor," in a well-lit room with colorful art decorations on the walls.
Group of people marching in a parade holding banners and signs, with a large banner overhead that reads 'Welcome to Commerce City's Memorial Day Parade' in English and Spanish, on a cloudy day.
A woman walking a dog holding a sign for Thomas Swingle, a candidate for Adams County Assessor, during a street parade or rally. People are standing in line or walking nearby, with some holding signs and flags, and a police car is visible in the back
A group of people standing together outdoors in front of a shopping center holding political campaign signs and banners, including those for Manny Rutinel, Adams County Democrats, Phil Weiser for Governor, and Thomas Swingle, with a golden retriever

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Thomas Swingle For Assessor

Thomas Swingle For Assessor

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