How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Colorado?

Security deposit may not exceed one month's rent, regardless of the tenant's credit score or rental history. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-102.5) The deposit must be accounted for within 30 days after the tenancy ends (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-103).

Is there a limit on late fees in Colorado?

A late fee may not exceed the greater of $50 or 5% of the amount of overdue rent. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-105)

How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Colorado?

Colorado has no statutory entry-notice requirement, so Landy's lease sets one by agreement. That agreed period is 24 hours.

How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in Colorado?

Either party must give at least 21 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-40-107)

What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in Colorado?

Tenant has 10 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for possession. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-40-104) The case is filed as a forcible entry and detainer in County Court. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.

Does a residential lease have to be in writing in Colorado?

A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. A written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to Colorado with the statutory citations printed in it.

Colorado Residential Lease Agreement

A lease that works in the State of Colorado has to respect Colorado landlord-tenant law: a security deposit capped at one month's rent, accounted for within 30 days of move-out, and late fees limited to $50 or 5% of the rent, whichever is greater. Below is every number that governs a Colorado tenancy, with the statute it comes from.

Read the whole lease before you pay. $14.99 to download, or three for $29.

Colorado rental law at a glance

Each row is the rule Landy applies when it builds a Colorado lease. The citation is printed in the finished document too, so a tenant can check it.

Colorado landlord-tenant rules with statutory citations
Rule	Colorado	Citation
Security deposit limit	one month's rentSecurity deposit may not exceed one month's rent, regardless of the tenant's credit score or rental history.	Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-102.5
Deposit return deadline	30 daysLandlord must return the deposit with an itemized statement within 30 days, or up to 60 days if the lease expressly says so.	Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-103
Interest on deposits	Not requiredColorado does not require interest on security deposits.	Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-103
Late fee limit	$50 or 5% of the rent, whichever is greaterA late fee may not exceed the greater of $50 or 5% of the amount of overdue rent.	Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-105
Grace period before rent is late	7 daysA late fee may not be charged until rent is at least 7 days late.	Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-105
Notice to pay or quit	10 daysTenant has 10 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for possession.	Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-40-104
Time to cure a lease violation	10 daysTenant generally has 10 days to remedy a curable lease violation.	Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-40-104
Ending a month-to-month tenancy	21 days' noticeEither party must give at least 21 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy.	Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-40-107
Notice before landlord entry	No statute — Landy's lease sets 24 hours by agreementColorado has no statutory entry-notice requirement, so Landy's lease sets one by agreement.	No statute on point

Disclosures a Colorado lease must carry

Missing a required disclosure is the most common way an otherwise fine lease creates a problem. Landy adds these automatically, plus any that apply only to your specific property.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose health hazards if not managed properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women. Before renting pre-1978 housing, landlords must disclose the presence of known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in the dwelling, provide any available records and reports to the tenant, and give the tenant the EPA-approved pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home." Tenant acknowledges receipt of this information by signing below.
42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 24 C.F.R. Part 35; 40 C.F.R. Part 745 · applies to housing built before 1978
Radon Disclosure
Landlord discloses any knowledge of radon concentrations or radon testing in the dwelling and has provided the state-required radon information brochure.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-803
Bed Bug Disclosure
Landlord discloses whether the dwelling had a known bed bug infestation within the previous eight months.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-1004

If things go wrong in Colorado

Where eviction is filed

County Court, as a forcible entry and detainer.

Governing law

Cited from the Colorado Revised Statutes.

Never self-help

Changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out is unlawful. A court order is the only route.

Colorado lease questions, answered

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Colorado?: Security deposit may not exceed one month's rent, regardless of the tenant's credit score or rental history. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-102.5) The deposit must be accounted for within 30 days after the tenancy ends (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-103).
Is there a limit on late fees in Colorado?: A late fee may not exceed the greater of $50 or 5% of the amount of overdue rent. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-105)
How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Colorado?: Colorado has no statutory entry-notice requirement, so Landy's lease sets one by agreement. That agreed period is 24 hours.
How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in Colorado?: Either party must give at least 21 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-40-107)
What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in Colorado?: Tenant has 10 days to pay rent or vacate before the landlord may file for possession. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-40-104) The case is filed as a forcible entry and detainer in County Court. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.
Does a residential lease have to be in writing in Colorado?: A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. A written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to Colorado with the statutory citations printed in it.

Build a Colorado lease with these rules already in it.

Answer questions in plain English. Landy writes the Colorado lease around your answers, applies every limit above, and shows you the finished document before you decide to pay.

Lease laws in other states

This page summarizes Colorado law for general information and is not legal advice. Landy is a self-help document service, not a law firm. Cities and counties may impose additional requirements, and statutes change. Have a licensed Colorado attorney review your lease before you rely on it.