Colorado Tenant Rights Laws
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed December 16, 2019
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While Colorado provides many reasons to go and enjoy the great outdoors, every resident of the Constitution State hopes that their home life is a source of calm and respite as well. Unfortunately for some renters, that's not always the case, as conflicts can arise at any time in the landlord-tenant relationship. The article below discusses some important Colorado tenant rights laws that can help you navigate these issues.
Tenant Rights from Discrimination to Termination
In addition to federal and local laws, as well as the contractual terms of your rental agreement, Colorado state law includes rules governing issues from discrimination to security deposits and eviction. For example, state law protects you against discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, and familial status, among other characteristics. And discriminatory actions can include refusing to show, rent, or lease to someone, or offering different rental terms based on those protected traits.
During your tenancy, your landlord is also required to provide you with a habitable unit free of dangerous or hazardous conditions. This includes compliance with applicable building, housing, and health codes, while supplying running water and reasonable amounts of hot water. If your landlord breaches the warranty of habitability, you may be able to break the lease early or sue for damages.
These and other laws are designed to protect you against unfair practices within the landlord-tenant relationship. So it's also important to note that your landlord may not retaliate against you by raising the rent or evicting you simply because you exercise your tenant rights.
Colorado Tenant Rights Laws at a Glance
A summary of Colorado state laws governing the landlord-tenant relationship is provided in the chart below, including links to important code sections.
Statutes |
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Security Deposits |
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| Application Fees |
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Paying Rent |
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Living Conditions |
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Discrimination |
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Ending or Renewing a Tenancy |
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Retaliation |
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Note: State regulations are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Colorado Tenant Rights Laws: Related Resources
- Colorado Lease and Rental Agreement Laws
- Colorado Landlord Tenant Handbook
- Tenant Lease Agreement FAQs
- Tenants' Rights Basics
- U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development in Colorado
- Colorado Housing Discrimination
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