Colorado

A Colorado simple (basic) lease agreement creates a legally binding document between landlords and tenants that specifies the terms and conditions for renting property. Key components of this Colorado lease agreement include personal information for both parties, detailed descriptions of leased premises, rent specifics such as security deposits and payment methods, disclosures about known safety or health risks, and comprehensive pet policies indicating whether pets receive permission or face prohibition.

Colorado Simple (Basic) Lease Agreement

Colorado maintains landlord-friendly rental laws without rent control restrictions, allowing property owners to freely increase rent without advance notice requirements. The state places limits on late fees, which landlords must outline in their Colorado lease agreement documentation. Colorado provides grace periods before landlords can charge late fees to tenants. Additionally, only Denver requires licensing for landlords operating rental properties.

Property owners typically use rental applications to screen prospective tenants before finalizing any Colorado lease agreement. This screening process helps landlords evaluate tenant qualifications and make informed leasing decisions.

Required Colorado Lease Agreement Disclosures

Colorado law mandates specific disclosures that landlords must include in every lease agreement to ensure tenant safety and legal compliance:

Radon Disclosure Requirements: Landlords must inform tenants about any exposure to dangerous radon levels in their Colorado lease agreement documentation.

Lead-Paint Disclosure: Property owners must provide lead-based paint disclosures for rental properties built before 1978 in all lease agreements.

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Compliance: Housing units that include fuel-fired appliances require carbon monoxide alarm compliance disclosures in Colorado lease agreements.

Colorado Lease Agreement Security Deposit Regulations

The state regulates security deposits in rental agreements through the following requirements:

Security Deposit Limits and Requirements

Maximum Deposit Amounts: Colorado places no statutory limits on maximum security deposit amounts that landlords may request in their lease agreements.

Receipt and Interest Requirements: State law specifies no requirements for landlords to provide receipts or pay interest on security deposits held under Colorado lease agreements.

Security Deposit Banking and Return Requirements

Bank Account Requirements: Colorado requires no special bank accounts for security deposits, except for mobile home park residents whose deposits must be held in separate trust accounts.

Return Timeline Requirements: Landlords must return tenant security deposits within one month of Colorado lease agreement termination, with a maximum extension to 60 days if previously agreed upon in the rental contract.

Withholding Guidelines: Property owners may retain portions of security deposits for damages beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid rent, or outstanding utility bills as specified in their lease agreements.

Colorado Lease Agreement Rent Payment Requirements and Policies

Monthly Rent Due Dates and Payment Terms

Rent payments typically become due at the beginning of each month, usually on the first day, as specified in Colorado lease agreements. Since Colorado enforces no rent control measures, landlords can increase rent without providing advance notice to tenants.

Late Fee Structures and Grace Periods

Landlords may charge late fees of $50 or 5% of unpaid rent, whichever amount proves greater, according to their Colorado lease agreement terms. The state provides a seven-day grace period before landlords can assess late fees against tenants.

Rent Withholding Rights

When landlords fail to address uninhabitable conditions after receiving proper notification, tenants may deduct repair costs from their rent payments as allowed under Colorado lease agreement provisions.

Landlord Entry Rights Under Colorado Lease Agreements

Colorado law requires no legal notice before landlords enter rental properties, though property owners should provide 24 to 48-hour notice as recommended best practice. When lease agreements fail to specify entry conditions, tenants maintain exclusive control and face no obligations to grant access, except during genuine emergencies.

Colorado Lease Agreement Property Repair Responsibilities

Landlord Repair Obligations and Response Times

Landlords must address repair issues within reasonable timeframes according to Colorado lease agreement terms. Property owners have 24 hours to respond after tenants provide written notice of needed repairs.

Tenant Maintenance Rights and Responsibilities

Tenants receive entitlements to habitable living conditions and timely repairs under their Colorado lease agreements. Renters must keep properties clean and safe while handling minor repairs as needed throughout their tenancy periods.

Property Abandonment Procedures

Rental properties receive abandonment classification when tenants return keys, provide official notice, remove belongings, or remain absent without paying rent. Landlords may reclaim abandoned properties without legal proceedings under Colorado lease agreement provisions.

How to Terminate a Colorado Simple (Basic) Lease Agreement

Month-to-Month Tenancy Termination

Either landlords or tenants can terminate month-to-month Colorado lease agreements by providing 21-day written notice. This gives both parties adequate time to prepare for tenancy changes while maintaining legal compliance.

Abandoned Personal Property Procedures

Personal belongings left in rental units for 30 days without tenant contact receive abandonment classification under Colorado law. Landlords must provide 15-day written notices before disposing of abandoned belongings after lease agreement termination.

Key Takeaways for Colorado Simple (Basic) Lease Agreements

Colorado’s landlord-friendly rental laws provide significant flexibility for property owners while maintaining basic tenant protections. Landlords benefit from no rent control restrictions, flexible security deposit requirements, and streamlined abandonment procedures. Tenants enjoy protection through required safety disclosures, reasonable repair response times, and fair security deposit return policies. Understanding these Colorado lease agreement requirements helps both parties create successful rental relationships while complying with state regulations and protecting their respective interests throughout the tenancy period.

Statutes

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-102.5 – Security deposits – maximum amount
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-103 – Return of security deposit
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-103(1) – Return of security deposit
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-103(2) – Return of security deposit
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38 – 12
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-104 – Return of security deposit – hazardous condition – gas appliance
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-105 – Late fees charged to tenants and mobile home owners – maximum late fee amounts – prohibited acts – penalties – period to cure violations – remedies – unfair or deceptive trade practice
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-106 – Security deposits – limitation on pet security deposit and rent – definition
C.R.S. 38-12-507 – Breach of warranty of habitability – tenant’s remedies
C.R.S. 38-12-507-2 – Breach of warranty of habitability – tenant’s remedies
C.R.S. 38-20-116 – Abandoned property – notice of sale – definitions
C.R.S. 13-40-107-4 – Notice to terminate tenancy
C.R.S. 13-40-107-1a – Notice to terminate tenancy
C.R.S. 13-40-107-1b – Notice to terminate tenancy
C.R.S. 13-40-107-1c – Notice to terminate tenancy
C.R.S. 13-40-107-1d – Notice to terminate tenancy
C.R.S. 13-40-107-1e – Notice to terminate tenancy
C.R.S. 13-40-107.5-c – Termination of tenancy for substantial violation – definition – legislative declaration
C.R.S. 13-40-104 – Unlawful detention defined – definitions
C.R.S. 13-40-104-1d – Unlawful detention defined – definitions
C.R.S. 13-40-104-e.5 – Unlawful detention defined – definitions
C.R.S. 38-12-510 – Unlawful removal or exclusion
C.R.S. 38-12-505 – Uninhabitable residential premises – habitability procedures – rules – definition
C.R.S. 38-12-402-1 – Protection for victims of unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, or domestic violence
C.R.S. 38-12-402-2 – Protection for victims of unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, or domestic violence
C.R.S. 38-12-509 – Prohibition on retaliation
C.R.S. 13-6-403 – Jurisdiction of small claims court – limitations
C.R.S. 13-6-403-2c – Jurisdiction of small claims court – limitations
C.R.S. § 38-12-503 – Tenant’s Duties
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-701 – Notice of rent increase
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-903 – Rental application fee – limitations
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-109 – Recovery of damages for checks, drafts, or orders not paid upon presentment
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-40-123 – Damages
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-1004 – Bed bugs – access to dwelling unit and personal belongings – notice – costs
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-109 – Returned Check Fees
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-801 – Written Rental Agreement

FAQs

In Colorado, landlords must provide disclosures regarding radon levels, lead paint for properties built before 1978, and compliance with carbon monoxide alarm regulations for housing units with fuel-fired appliances.

There is no maximum limit on the amount a landlord can request for a security deposit in Colorado. However, landlords must return the deposit within one month of lease termination, unless otherwise agreed, and no later than 60 days.

In Colorado, landlords must provide a seven-day grace period before assessing late fees on unpaid rent. Late fees can be either $50 or 5% of the unpaid rent, whichever is greater.

While Colorado law does not require landlords to inform tenants before entering the property, it is recommended to provide a 24 to 48-hour notice. If the lease does not specify entry conditions, tenants have exclusive control over access.

Tenants in Colorado have the right to habitable living conditions, which includes timely repairs. Landlords must respond to written repair requests within 24 hours, and tenants can perform minor repairs to maintain the property.

In Colorado, either party can terminate a month-to-month lease by providing a 21-day notice. This allows both landlords and tenants to end the tenancy with adequate time to prepare.

If a tenant leaves personal belongings in a rental unit for 30 days without contact, those items are considered abandoned. Landlords must provide a 15-day written notice before disposing of any abandoned property.