Colorado Landlord-Tenant Laws
If you rent out property in Colorado, these are the rules you need to follow. This page covers the landlord-tenant statutes that come up most often: security deposits, late fees, eviction notice periods, and notice to enter. This is informational only — not legal advice. When in doubt, consult a Colorado landlord-tenant attorney.
| Security deposit cap | No statutory cap |
| Deposit return deadline | 30 days (up to 60 if lease specifies) |
| Late fee limit | $50 or 5% of rent (HB21-1121) |
| Pay-or-quit notice | 10-day notice (HB21-1121) |
| Notice to enter | 24 hours |
| Month-to-month termination | 21 days (HB22-1376) |
| Rent control | Prohibited statewide |
Key Rules at a Glance
- NOTENo statewide rent control — but check Denver and local ordinances
- NOTEMust return deposit within 30 days (or up to 60 days with written agreement)
- NOTE10-day notice to vacate required before filing eviction for non-payment
- NOTE24-hour notice required before entry (non-emergency)
- NOTEHabitability warranty: landlord must provide heat, water, and working plumbing
Security Deposits in Colorado
Colorado caps security deposits at No statutory cap. After move-out, landlords must return the deposit (with itemized deductions for unpaid rent or damages beyond ordinary wear and tear) within 30 days (up to 60 if lease specifies). Missing this deadline can expose you to penalties — in many states, the tenant can recover up to 2-3x the wrongfully withheld amount in court.
Best practice:document the unit's condition with photos at move-in and move-out, keep all repair receipts, and send the itemized statement by certified mail.
Late Fees & Grace Periods
The Colorado late fee limit is $50 or 5% of rent (HB21-1121). Late fees should always be specified in the written lease — charging a fee that isn't in the lease is unenforceable in most jurisdictions. Many landlords offer a 3-5 day grace period before the late fee triggers.
Eviction & Notice Periods
For non-payment of rent in Colorado, the standard pay-or-quit notice is 10-day notice (HB21-1121). To end a month-to-month tenancy without cause, give 21 days (HB22-1376) notice. Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities) is illegal in every state — you must go through the court process.
Notice to Enter the Property
Colorado requires 24 hours before a landlord enters an occupied rental for non-emergency reasons (repairs, showings, inspections). Emergencies (fire, gas leak, flooding) are an exception. Best practice: put the notice in writing — text or email is fine in most states.
Rent Control in Colorado
Prohibited statewide.
What Goes In a Colorado Lease
A solid Colorado lease should specify: monthly rent and due date, late fees and grace period, security deposit amount and return terms, lease length, who pays which utilities, pet policy and any pet deposit, parking arrangements, smoking rules, sublet policy, and any state-required disclosures (lead paint for pre-1978 units, mold disclosure where required).
PropertyNinja's lease generator includes Colorado-specific fields and supports e-signatures, so you can send a finalized lease to a tenant in under 5 minutes.
Disclaimer
This page is a quick reference for Colorado landlord-tenant law as of 2026. State laws change — always verify against current statutes (and any local ordinances) before taking action. PropertyNinja is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.