Last updated: April 2026
A clear guide to Colorado's rent control status, what changed in 2021, and what tenant protections actually exist statewide.
Check your address to see what protections may apply to your rental.
No. As of 2026, there is no rent control or rent stabilization anywhere in Colorado. No city, county, or municipality has enacted a local rent control ordinance. Colorado landlords can raise rent by any amount, with proper notice.
This wasn't always the legal framework: Colorado previously had a statewide preemption that banned local governments from enacting rent control at all. That preemption was removed in 2021 — but no city has used that new authority.
Senate Bill 21-173, signed into law in June 2021, made sweeping changes to Colorado tenant-landlord law. Among them: it repealed the statewide prohibition on local rent control ordinances. For the first time since 1981, Colorado cities and counties had the legal authority to enact rent stabilization.
SB 21-173 also added several statewide tenant protections that took effect immediately:
Despite the preemption being lifted, no Colorado city had enacted rent control as of April 2026. The most notable attempt was Denver's Proposition GO, a November 2022 ballot measure that would have authorized the Denver City Council to pass local rent control. Voters rejected it with roughly 57% voting against.
Other cities including Aurora, Fort Collins, and Boulder have seen advocacy for rent control, but none had moved to a vote. The political and economic debate remains active, particularly as Denver rents have risen sharply since 2021.
While Colorado has no rent cap, several state laws protect tenants:
Under C.R.S. § 38-12-503, landlords must maintain rental properties in a habitable condition. This includes working heat, plumbing, and structural safety. Tenants can withhold rent or terminate the lease if a landlord fails to cure serious habitability violations after written notice.
Under C.R.S. § 38-12-102 to 104, landlords must return security deposits (or provide an itemized written statement of deductions) within 30 days of lease end, or 60 days if specified in the lease. Failure to do so allows tenants to sue for triple the wrongfully withheld amount plus attorney fees.
Landlords must give written notice before raising rent. For month-to-month tenancies, the law generally requires at least 21 days notice for rent increases below 10% and 90 days notice for increases of 10% or more (per HB 23-1120, effective 2024). Always check your lease — some require more notice.
Landlords must give proper written notice before initiating eviction proceedings. For non-payment, this is a 10-day notice (since SB 21-173). For lease violations, landlords must provide a reasonable opportunity to cure. Self-help evictions (changing locks, removing belongings) are illegal.
Denver is Colorado's largest city and has seen the fastest rent growth in the state. As of 2026, Denver has no local rent control ordinance. For a detailed breakdown of what protections apply specifically to Denver renters, see our Denver rent control guide.
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No. No city, county, or state law limits rent increases in Colorado as of 2026. Landlords may raise rent by any amount with proper written notice.
Denver voters rejected Proposition GO in November 2022, which would have authorized the city council to pass rent control. No subsequent ballot measure has been put to a vote. Advocacy continues but there is no active ordinance as of 2026.
SB 21-173 (2021) removed Colorado's statewide ban on local rent control, added a 10-day cure period before non-payment eviction filings, strengthened anti-retaliation protections, and created the Eviction Legal Defense Fund. It did not create rent control itself.
For increases under 10%: at least 21 days written notice. For increases of 10% or more: at least 90 days written notice (per HB 23-1120, effective 2024). Fixed-term leases cannot have mid-lease increases unless the lease specifically allows it.
There is no legal limit on the increase amount, but you have options: negotiate directly with your landlord, check whether the increase violates your lease terms, and review whether proper notice was given. If your unit has habitability issues, Colorado law gives you leverage to address them before paying any increase. Contact Legal Aid Colorado or Colorado Legal Services for free help.
Colorado does not have a statewide "just cause" eviction requirement. Landlords can end a month-to-month tenancy with proper notice (typically 21 days) without giving a reason. Fixed-term leases provide more protection — landlords generally cannot terminate before the end of the lease except for cause.
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