Denver City, Texas
Denver City is a town on the high plains of the Llano Estacado near the western edge of Texas, in the oil country of the Permian Basin about 71 miles southwest of Lubbock. It grew up as a boomtown around the Wasson oil field, one of the largest fields in the state, and petroleum production remains central to its economy. The surrounding terrain is flat, open ranch and farm country at the far western edge of the state.
Property here runs through the Gaines Central Appraisal District and the county tax office — the homestead exemption, the appraisal cap, protests, and any MUD, PID, or special districts all sit at the parcel level. The Gaines County notes below cover the practical details, with the official county directory for the appraisal district and tax office.
Gaines County notes
What to know around Denver City
Property Tax
Two offices handle your property taxes in Gaines County
Gaines County splits property tax work between two offices: one sets your value, one collects the bill.
Agricultural Valuation
Farm and ranch land in Gaines County can be taxed on use, not market value
Gaines County land that's worked for farming, ranching, or wildlife can be taxed on what it produces instead of what it would sell for.
Groundwater & Wells
Water wells in Gaines County draw from the Ogallala Aquifer
Rural wells in Gaines County usually mean the Ogallala, plus tract questions for the water district and well driller.
Mineral Rights & Oil/Gas
Oil and gas production is a big part of life in Gaines County
Gaines County has active oil and gas production, so buyers of land here should know that mineral rights may be owned separately from the surface.
Hunting License
Hunting in Gaines County requires a Texas license from TPWD
A Texas hunting license gets you started in Gaines County, but pronghorn permits and private-land permission need their own check.
County History
Gaines County went from open range to oil country in about 50 years
Gaines County was carved from open plains in 1876 and grew through ranching, cotton farming, and then oil — all within a few generations.
Nearby
Places near Denver City
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Yoakum County
6 local notes · Panhandle / High Plains
Terry County
4 local notes · Panhandle / High Plains
Cochran County
5 local notes · Panhandle / High Plains
Andrews County
7 local notes · West Texas / Permian / Trans-Pecos
Hockley County
6 local notes · Panhandle / High Plains
Dawson County
6 local notes · West Texas / Permian / Trans-Pecos
Next steps for Denver City
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Model school and local rates, the homestead exemption, and the appraisal cap.
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Property tax, land, outdoors, vehicles, rules, and history for the county.
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