Qualified Fine Art Appraisals for Vail & Aspen
With Services Across Colorado & The Rocky Mountain Region
Rocky Mountain Art Appraisal Group provides USPAP-compliant qualified fine art appraisals for estate tax, IRS, insurance, and fiduciary purposes in Vail, Aspen, and nationally.
Appraisal Services
The type of appraisal you need depends on how the valuation will be used. Different appraisal purposes require different approaches to value, each aligned with professional standards and regulatory requirements.
Below are the most common appraisal types and how value is determined for each:
Establishes the fair market value of artwork as of a specific date (typically date of death) for estate planning, probate, and federal or state tax purposes.
Estate Tax Appraisals
Determines the fair market value of artwork donated to a qualified nonprofit, using comparable sales data to meet IRS and USPAP requirements for tax reporting.
Donation Appraisals
Calculates replacement value using the cost approach, ensuring artwork can be replaced with a comparable piece in the event of loss, damage, or theft.
Insurance Appraisals
Provides an objective valuation of artwork for divorce or asset division, using the appropriate approach to value based on the legal and financial context of the case.
Equitable Distribution
Who We Are
Rocky Mountain Art Appraisal Group provides professional, independent art appraisal services throughout the Vail Valley, Roaring Fork Valley and across Colorado. Our work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and context—helping collectors, estates, attorneys, and institutions understand value with confidence.
We bring both technical rigor and local insight to every appraisal. Each report is prepared in compliance with USPAP standards and tailored to its intended use.
Client Reviews
“Five stars is not enough to describe Larissa Wild Fine Art. Professional, prompt, productive and perfection. Should you have appraisal or cataloguing needs, do not hesitate to call on Larissa.”
— Neil Ross“Larissa was very helpful with getting the art appraisals I needed for my insurance policy. She was extremely thorough, producing a detailed work up for each piece in my collection in a timely manner. I really enjoyed working with her and would highly recommend her to anyone in need of a detailed, well researched appraisal of their works of art.”
— Robert Boich“I was in need of an on-line art appraisal for several paintings in support of an estate tax return, and I found Larissa during a web search. Her CV looked impressive, and communications were very easy. She completed the appraisal based on photos and history that I provided, and she met my deadline. Her appraisal report appears to check all the boxes and was quite informative. I found the cost to be fair and more competitive than another option I investigated. Larissa was a pleasure to work with, and I have no hesitation recommending her if you need an artwork appraisal.”
— Spencer WhiteFeatured Blogs
Do I Need a USPAP-Compliant Art Appraisal? A Clear Guide for Collectors and Estates
If you are seeking an art appraisal for estate planning, insurance, charitable donation, or legal purposes, you may encounter the term USPAP-compliant appraisal. Understanding what this means—and when it is required—can help you avoid costly mistakes.
Insuring Your Art Collection: What Every Collector Should Know
Larissa was recently asked to answer questions for an article with Artsy on insuring artwork by writer Maxwell Rabb. The questions prompted her to write this blog to help collectors understand insuring art from an appraisers perspective.
Why Western and Wildlife Art Requires Specialized Appraisal Expertise
For collectors, estates, and fiduciaries, working with an appraiser who understands the nuances of Western and wildlife art provides confidence that valuations are both accurate and defensible.