Last updated: April 2026
Colorado Springs renters are protected by Colorado's statewide landlord-tenant laws, including a warranty of habitability, strict security deposit rules, and strong anti-retaliation provisions. Learn what the law requires and what to do if your landlord falls short.
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Colorado Springs is Colorado's second-largest city, home to more than 480,000 residents in El Paso County. With a rapidly growing rental market fueled by military installations, a booming tech sector, and an expanding healthcare industry, a significant portion of residents rent their homes. Renters in Colorado Springs most commonly seek information about security deposit returns, landlord repair obligations, eviction procedures, and whether any local rent caps exist.
All landlord-tenant relationships in Colorado Springs are governed by Colorado's statewide framework found in C.R.S. Title 38. The city has not enacted any local tenant protection ordinances beyond what state law provides, so understanding Colorado's statutes is essential for every renter in the Pikes Peak region. Key protections include a warranty of habitability, limits on security deposit withholding, a 91-day notice requirement for month-to-month terminations, and a prohibition on landlord retaliation.
This page summarizes the laws that apply to renters in Colorado Springs as of April 2026. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary — consult a licensed Colorado attorney or a free legal aid organization if you have a specific dispute.
Colorado Springs has no rent control, and no Colorado city may enact one. Colorado state law explicitly preempts any local rent control ordinance under C.R.S. § 38-12-301, which states that no county, municipality, or other political subdivision may enact any ordinance or resolution that would control rents on private residential property. This prohibition has been in place since 1981 and has never been repealed or narrowed.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Colorado Springs can raise your rent by any amount, at any time, as long as they provide the legally required notice before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, at least 91 days' written notice is required before any change in the tenancy terms, including a rent increase (C.R.S. § 13-40-107). For fixed-term leases, the rent is locked in for the lease period, but there is no cap on how much it can increase at renewal. Renters should budget accordingly and review all lease renewal offers carefully.
Colorado's landlord-tenant statutes under C.R.S. Title 38 provide a comprehensive set of tenant protections that apply to every rental in Colorado Springs.
Warranty of Habitability (C.R.S. § 38-12-501 through § 38-12-511): Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition throughout the tenancy. This includes functioning heating, plumbing, electrical systems, weatherproofing, and freedom from significant mold, pests, or structural hazards. If a landlord fails to cure a habitability defect after receiving written notice, tenants may pursue a rent reduction proportional to the loss of use, arrange for repairs and deduct the cost from rent, or terminate the lease — all without penalty.
Security Deposit Rules (C.R.S. § 38-12-102 through § 38-12-104): Colorado imposes no statutory cap on security deposit amounts, but landlords must return the deposit (with an itemized written statement of any deductions) within 30 days after the tenancy ends, or within 60 days if the lease expressly allows the longer period. Wrongful withholding entitles the tenant to treble (triple) the wrongfully withheld amount plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Notice Requirements (C.R.S. § 13-40-107): To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord must provide at least 91 days' written notice. Week-to-week tenancies require three days' notice. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must serve a written demand for compliance or possession giving the tenant at least 10 days to pay before filing for eviction (C.R.S. § 13-40-104(1)(d)).
Anti-Retaliation Protection (C.R.S. § 38-12-509): Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who report code violations, complain about habitability conditions, contact a government agency, or exercise any right under Colorado law. Retaliation can include threatening eviction, reducing services, or raising rent in response to protected activity. A tenant facing retaliation may assert it as a defense in eviction court or pursue damages.
Prohibition on Lockouts and Utility Shutoffs (C.R.S. § 38-12-510): Self-help eviction is illegal in Colorado. A landlord may not remove a tenant's belongings, change the locks, or intentionally shut off utilities such as heat, water, or electricity to force a tenant out. Only a court order — issued after a formal eviction proceeding — gives a landlord the right to remove a tenant.
Colorado Springs landlords are governed by C.R.S. § 38-12-102 through § 38-12-104 when it comes to security deposits. There is no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit in Colorado, so the amount is set by the lease agreement. Renters should negotiate the deposit amount before signing and document the unit's condition thoroughly at move-in with dated photographs and a signed move-in checklist.
Return Deadline: After the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates, the landlord has 30 days to return the security deposit along with an itemized written statement explaining any deductions. If the lease contains a provision expressly extending this period, the landlord has up to 60 days. The clock typically starts when the tenant surrenders possession of the unit.
Allowable Deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, cleaning costs if the unit is left excessively dirty, and other lease-specified charges. They may not deduct for ordinary wear and tear such as minor scuffs on walls or carpet fading from normal use.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of a security deposit — meaning the withholding is willful and without legal justification — the tenant is entitled to treble (triple) damages of the wrongfully withheld amount, plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees (C.R.S. § 38-12-103). To preserve these rights, send your move-out notice and final forwarding address in writing, return all keys, and keep copies of all written communications with your landlord.
Evictions in Colorado Springs follow the procedures set out in the Colorado Forcible Entry and Detainer Act (C.R.S. § 13-40-101 et seq.). A landlord cannot remove a tenant without going through the formal court process regardless of the circumstances.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing with the court, a landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice appropriate to the reason for eviction. Common notice types include:
Step 2 — Filing in El Paso County Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file a Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) complaint in El Paso County Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and must appear at the hearing, usually scheduled within days of filing.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties present their case before the judge. Tenants have the right to raise defenses including improper notice, retaliation (C.R.S. § 38-12-509), habitability conditions (C.R.S. § 38-12-507), and discriminatory motive. If the court rules for the landlord, it will issue a judgment for possession.
Step 4 — Writ of Restitution: After a judgment for possession, the court may issue a Writ of Restitution authorizing the El Paso County Sheriff to remove the tenant if they have not vacated. This is the only legal means by which a tenant can be physically removed.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under C.R.S. § 38-12-510, a landlord who changes locks, removes doors or windows, shuts off utilities, or removes the tenant's belongings without a court order commits an unlawful act. Tenants subjected to self-help eviction may seek emergency relief from the court, damages, and attorney's fees.
No. Colorado Springs does not have rent control, and no Colorado city is permitted to enact one. State law under C.R.S. § 38-12-301 explicitly prohibits any county or municipality from imposing rent control on private residential property. This preemption has been in effect statewide since 1981.
There is no limit on how much a landlord can raise rent in Colorado Springs. Because rent control is prohibited statewide by C.R.S. § 38-12-301, your landlord may increase rent by any amount. However, for month-to-month tenants, the landlord must provide at least 91 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect, as required by C.R.S. § 13-40-107. Fixed-term leases lock in the rent for the lease duration.
Your landlord must return your security deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days after your tenancy ends and you vacate the unit (C.R.S. § 38-12-103). If your lease expressly provides for a longer period, the landlord has up to 60 days. If the landlord willfully withholds your deposit beyond this deadline without justification, you may be entitled to treble (triple) the wrongfully withheld amount plus attorney's fees.
The required notice depends on the reason for eviction. For nonpayment of rent, your landlord must give you at least 10 days to pay or vacate before filing in court (C.R.S. § 13-40-104(1)(d)). For a no-cause termination of a month-to-month tenancy, your landlord must provide at least 91 days' written notice under C.R.S. § 13-40-107. Lease violations typically also require a written notice with an opportunity to cure.
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Colorado. Under C.R.S. § 38-12-510, a landlord may not change locks, remove your belongings, shut off heat, water, or electricity, or otherwise attempt to force you out without a court order. If your landlord does any of these things, you may seek emergency relief from El Paso County Court and may be entitled to damages and attorney's fees.
Colorado's Warranty of Habitability Act (C.R.S. § 38-12-501) requires landlords to maintain rental units in habitable condition. If your landlord fails to address a significant habitability problem after receiving written notice, you may be entitled to a rent reduction proportional to the loss of habitability, repair-and-deduct remedies, or lease termination without penalty. You can also file a complaint with City of Colorado Springs Code Compliance. Document all communications in writing and keep copies. Contact Colorado Legal Services if you need legal assistance.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are complex, and individual circumstances can significantly affect how the law applies to your situation. While we strive to keep this content current, laws and local ordinances can change after the date of publication. Renters in Colorado Springs with specific legal questions or disputes should consult a licensed Colorado attorney or contact a free legal aid organization such as Colorado Legal Services. Do not rely solely on this page to make legal decisions.
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