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Cañon City is a small city of roughly 17,000 residents in Fremont County, situated along the Arkansas River in south-central Colorado. Renters in Cañon City commonly ask whether local rent control applies, how long landlords have to return security deposits, and what notice is required before an eviction. The answers all come from Colorado state law — Cañon City has enacted no additional tenant protections beyond what the state provides.
Colorado's main tenant protections include the Warranty of Habitability Act, security deposit return deadlines and penalties, a 91-day notice requirement for month-to-month terminations, and statewide just-cause eviction rules that took effect in 2024. Fremont County renters can access legal aid through Colorado Legal Services and the Colorado Poverty Law Project.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change; consult a licensed Colorado attorney or a legal aid organization for guidance on your specific situation.
Cañon City has no rent control ordinance, and neither does any other city in Colorado. Colorado state law (C.R.S. § 38-12-301) banned local rent control beginning in 1981. In 2021, Senate Bill 21-173 lifted that prohibition, theoretically allowing municipalities to enact rent stabilization. However, as of May 2026, no Colorado city — including Cañon City — has passed such an ordinance. Landlords in Cañon City may raise rent by any amount, but must provide proper written notice as specified in the lease or under state law before a rent increase takes effect.
Security Deposit Cap (C.R.S. § 38-12-102.5, effective Jan. 1, 2026): Landlords may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit. Tenants also have the right to pay deposits in installments over at least six months.
Security Deposit Return (C.R.S. § 38-12-103): Landlords must return the deposit — or provide a written itemized statement of deductions — within 30 days after the tenancy ends (or 60 days if the lease specifically allows). Normal wear and tear cannot be deducted. Wrongful withholding entitles the tenant to treble (triple) damages plus attorney fees.
Warranty of Habitability (C.R.S. § 38-12-501 et seq.): Landlords must maintain rental units in a safe, habitable condition, including functional heating, plumbing, electrical systems, and structural integrity. If the landlord fails to remedy a serious habitability violation after written notice, tenants may be entitled to rent reduction or lease termination.
Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month Tenancy (C.R.S. § 13-40-107): Landlords must provide at least 91 days written notice before terminating a month-to-month tenancy. Tenants must provide at least 21 days written notice.
Anti-Retaliation (C.R.S. § 38-12-509): Landlords may not retaliate against tenants for reporting code violations, joining a tenants' union, or exercising any other legal right. Retaliation within 90 days of a protected act creates a rebuttable presumption of unlawful retaliation.
Just-Cause Eviction (HB 24-1098, C.R.S. § 13-40-107.5): Signed into law in April 2024, this law prohibits landlords from evicting or declining to renew a lease without cause for tenants who have resided in the unit for at least 12 months. Acceptable grounds include nonpayment, lease violations, demolition, owner move-in, and substantial renovation. Exemptions apply to short-term rentals, owner-adjacent duplexes/triplexes, and tenancies under 12 months.
Colorado law sets a strict security deposit limit and return timeline that applies to all Cañon City rentals:
Cap: Effective January 1, 2026, security deposits are capped at one month's rent (C.R.S. § 38-12-102.5). Landlords cannot require more than this amount upfront. Tenants may elect to pay the deposit in installments over at least six consecutive months.
Return deadline: The landlord must return the deposit — or mail a written itemized statement of deductions along with any remaining balance — within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates (C.R.S. § 38-12-103). If the lease specifically authorizes it, the deadline extends to 60 days.
Deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and costs specifically authorized by the lease. Normal wear and tear — routine scuffs, fading, or carpet wear — cannot be deducted under Colorado law as of the 2026 amendments.
Penalty for wrongful withholding: If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of the deposit, the tenant is entitled to treble (triple) the wrongfully withheld amount plus attorney fees and court costs (C.R.S. § 38-12-103(3)).
Evictions in Cañon City follow Colorado state law, which requires written notice and a court order before any tenant can be removed.
Notice types and periods:
Just-cause requirement (HB 24-1098): For tenants who have lived in the unit 12 months or more, the landlord must have a legally recognized reason to evict or decline to renew. Valid no-fault grounds include demolition, substantial renovation, owner/family member move-in, or withdrawal of the unit from the rental market. Certain properties are exempt (short-term rentals, owner-adjacent 2-3 unit buildings, tenancies under 12 months).
Court process: After the notice period expires, if the tenant has not complied or vacated, the landlord must file a Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) complaint in Fremont County Court. The tenant is served and given an opportunity to respond. A judge must issue a judgment before any eviction proceeds.
Self-help eviction prohibited: It is illegal for a landlord to remove a tenant by changing locks, removing doors, shutting off utilities, or removing the tenant's belongings without a court order. Such actions expose the landlord to significant civil liability under Colorado law.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant and landlord laws in Colorado — including those affecting Cañon City — can change. The information here reflects laws as of May 2026 but may not capture recent amendments or local developments. Always verify current statutes with the Colorado General Assembly website and consult a licensed Colorado attorney or a qualified legal aid organization before taking legal action.
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