Tenant Rulebook
General information from state law and official guides, not legal advice. Cities and counties can add their own rules.

All states

Landlord and tenant rules in Colorado

The statewide rules on deposits, notice, entry and rent in Colorado, mainly from the Colorado Revised Statutes title 38 article 12 and title 13 article 40. Checked 29 October 2026.

Security deposits and fees

Security deposit limit

2 months' rent1,2C.R.S. 38-12-102.5

Since August 7, 2023, a landlord may not require a security deposit of more than two months' rent.

Deposit return deadline

1 month (up to 60 days if the lease says so)3,4C.R.S. 38-12-103(1)

The landlord must return the deposit within one month after the lease ends or the tenant moves out, whichever is later. The lease can extend this to no more than 60 days.

Interest on deposits

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Late fees

After 7 days, max $50 or 5%, whichever is greater5,6C.R.S. 38-12-105

A late fee can be charged only once rent is at least seven days late, and it may not exceed $50 or 5% of the overdue rent, whichever is greater. The fee must be disclosed in the lease and charged only once per late payment.

Notice, entry and rent

Tenant ending a month-to-month tenancy

21 days7C.R.S. 13-40-107(1)(c)

Either side can end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice served at least 21 days before the end of the tenancy.

Landlord ending a month-to-month tenancy

21 days in first year, then cause required7,8,9C.R.S. 13-40-107, 38-12-1302, 38-12-1303 (HB24-1098)

In the first 12 months the 21-day notice applies. After that the landlord needs a legal cause, and most no-fault causes such as owner move-in or major renovation require at least 90 days' notice, with exemptions for some owner-occupied homes.

Notice of a rent increase

60 days (no written agreement)10,11C.R.S. 38-12-701(2)(a)

Where there is no written lease, the landlord must give at least 60 days' written notice of a rent increase. Rent may be raised only once in any 12-month period.

Statewide rent limits

None statewide, counties and cities barred by law12C.R.S. 38-12-301

Colorado counties and cities may not pass rules that would control rent on private homes or apartments.

Landlord entry

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Notice for unpaid rent

10 days13,14C.R.S. 13-40-104(1)(d), 13-40-106

For most residential leases, the landlord must give 10 days' written notice to pay or leave. Exempt residential agreements use 5 days and employer-provided housing uses 3 days.

Many cities and counties add their own rules, such as rent stabilization or longer notice periods, and a lease can give a tenant more protection than the law requires. Check your local housing office or a legal aid group before you act.

Sources

  1. C.R.S. 38-12-102.5, Public.Law (quotes state code)secondary
  2. SB23-184 Protections For Residential Tenants, Colorado General Assembly, 2023-06-06official
  3. C.R.S. 38-12-103, Public.Law (quotes state code)secondary
  4. Security Deposit Returns to Renters (law summary), Colorado General Assembly, Office of Legislative Legal Services, 2018-10-29official
  5. C.R.S. 38-12-105, Public.Law (quotes state code)secondary
  6. SB21-173 Rights In Residential Lease Agreements, Colorado General Assembly, 2021-06-25official
  7. Colorado Revised Statutes 13-40-107, Public.Law (quotes state code)secondary
  8. HB24-1098 signed act, Colorado General Assembly, 2024-04-19official
  9. HB24-1098 Cause Required for Eviction of Residential Tenant, Colorado General Assembly, 2024-04-19official
  10. C.R.S. 38-12-701, Public.Law (quotes state code)secondary
  11. 2021 Changes to Colorado Landlord-Tenant Law, Colorado Lawyer (Colorado Bar Association), 2021-11secondary
  12. Colorado Revised Statutes 38-12-301, Public.Law (quotes state code)secondary
  13. C.R.S. 13-40-104, Public.Law (quotes state code)secondary
  14. JDF 99A Demand for Compliance (residential eviction), Colorado Judicial Branch, 2024-07-02official

"Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read.