Last updated: April 2026
Frederick renters benefit from Colorado's strengthened tenant protections — including a 91-day termination notice requirement, treble damages for wrongful deposit withholding, and a strong habitability warranty — even though no Colorado city has enacted rent control.
Want to check your specific address? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Frederick is a growing town in Weld County, Colorado, located along the Front Range corridor between Denver and Fort Collins. Like all Colorado municipalities, Frederick has not enacted local tenant ordinances — renters' rights are governed by Colorado state law, primarily the Colorado Residential Landlord-Tenant statutes (C.R.S. Title 38, Article 12) and the eviction provisions of C.R.S. § 13-40-101 et seq. Renters most commonly seek information about security deposit returns, the landlord's repair obligations, and how much advance notice is required before a tenancy can be terminated.
Colorado has significantly strengthened tenant protections in recent years. The 2021 legislative session produced SB 21-173, which lifted the state ban on local rent control, extended the termination notice requirement for month-to-month tenants from 10 days to 91 days, and expanded remedies for habitability violations. While no city — including Frederick — has enacted rent control, these other reforms provide meaningful protection for Colorado renters.
This page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. If you are facing eviction, a deposit dispute, or a habitability problem, contact a licensed Colorado attorney or one of the legal aid organizations listed at the bottom of this page.
Frederick has no rent control, and no Colorado city currently has any rent control law in effect. Colorado state law historically prohibited local rent control under C.R.S. § 38-12-301. In 2021, the Colorado General Assembly passed SB 21-173, which repealed that statewide ban and gave municipalities authority to enact rent stabilization ordinances. However, as of April 2026, no Colorado city or county has enacted a rent control ordinance — meaning Frederick landlords may raise rent by any dollar amount.
For month-to-month tenants, a landlord must give at least 91 days' written notice before terminating the tenancy, including if the purpose is to reset rent at a higher rate (C.R.S. § 13-40-107, as amended by SB 21-173). For fixed-term leases, the agreed rent is locked in until expiration. There is no cap on annual percentage increases, no local rent registry, and no requirement that landlords justify rent increases.
If a Frederick city council were to enact a rent stabilization ordinance in the future, it would now be legally permissible under SB 21-173. Renters interested in local housing policy can monitor Frederick town council agendas at the Town of Frederick's official website.
Colorado state law establishes several important protections for renters in Frederick and throughout Weld County.
Colorado Warranty of Habitability (C.R.S. § 38-12-501 et seq.): Colorado landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition — including adequate weatherproofing, functioning plumbing and heating, safe electrical systems, and freedom from pests. The Colorado Warranty of Habitability Act, strengthened by SB 21-173 in 2021, gives tenants explicit remedies for habitability failures: after providing written notice and a reasonable opportunity to repair, tenants may seek a rent reduction, terminate the lease, or pursue damages. Willful violations may entitle the tenant to additional remedies including attorney fees.
Security Deposits (C.R.S. § 38-12-102–103): Colorado does not cap the amount of a security deposit, but landlords must return deposits within 30 days of move-out (or up to 60 days if the lease expressly provides for it), along with a written itemized statement of deductions. Wrongful withholding entitles the tenant to treble (triple) the amount wrongfully withheld, plus attorney fees — one of the strongest deposit penalties in the country.
Notice to Terminate (C.R.S. § 13-40-107): To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord must give the tenant at least 91 days' written notice. This requirement was significantly extended from 10 days by SB 21-173. Tenants must give the same 91-day notice to terminate. For fixed-term leases, the lease terms govern termination.
Anti-Retaliation (C.R.S. § 38-12-509): Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for reporting code violations, requesting repairs, or exercising other legal rights. Prohibited retaliatory acts include rent increases, service reductions, and eviction threats. Retaliatory evictions are a recognized defense in Colorado courts.
Eviction Procedure: Landlords must provide written notice and obtain a court judgment before removing a tenant. Self-help eviction — including lockouts and utility shutoffs — is prohibited by Colorado law.
Security deposit rules for Frederick rentals are governed by C.R.S. §§ 38-12-102 and 38-12-103. Colorado law does not cap the amount a landlord may collect as a security deposit — the amount is set by the lease agreement. However, the return rules and penalties for non-compliance are among the strongest in the nation.
After you vacate your unit, your landlord has 30 days to return the deposit — along with a written itemized statement of any deductions — or up to 60 days if your lease expressly provides for the longer period. Each deduction must be identified with a specific dollar amount and reason. If you do not provide a written forwarding address, the landlord's deadline may be tolled until you do — always send your new address in writing at move-out.
If the landlord wrongfully withholds any part of your deposit — by failing to return it, failing to provide a proper itemized statement, or making impermissible deductions — you may recover three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees under C.R.S. § 38-12-103. Permissible deductions include unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear. Ordinary wear and tear — minor scuffs, small nail holes, carpet worn from regular use — cannot be charged to the tenant.
Security deposit claims can be filed in Weld County Court (small claims division) without an attorney. Document your unit's condition thoroughly at both move-in and move-out with dated photographs and video to protect against improper deductions.
Evictions in Frederick must follow the formal process established by C.R.S. §§ 13-40-101 et seq. Colorado prohibits self-help eviction — a landlord may not change locks, remove doors, shut off utilities, or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.
Step 1 — Written Notice: The landlord must provide written notice before filing in court. Required notice periods include:
• Nonpayment of rent: A Demand for Compliance or Right to Possession (commonly called a 10-day notice), giving the tenant 10 days to pay or vacate (C.R.S. § 13-40-104(d)).
• Lease violation: A 10-day notice to comply or vacate (C.R.S. § 13-40-104(e)).
• Termination of month-to-month tenancy: At least 91 days' written notice (C.R.S. § 13-40-107).
Step 2 — County Court Filing: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an Unlawful Detainer action in Weld County Court. A hearing is typically set within 7–14 days of service.
Step 3 — Hearing: Both parties appear and present their case. Tenants may raise defenses including improper notice, habitability violations (C.R.S. § 38-12-501), landlord retaliation (C.R.S. § 38-12-509), or payment of past-due rent before the hearing in some cases. Contact Colorado Legal Services before the hearing for assistance.
Step 4 — Writ of Restitution: If the court rules for the landlord and the tenant does not vacate, the landlord may obtain a Writ of Restitution allowing a county sheriff to carry out the physical removal. Only a court-authorized officer may remove a tenant from a rental unit.
No. Frederick has no rent control, and no Colorado city has enacted any rent control ordinance as of April 2026. Colorado's statewide ban on local rent control was lifted by SB 21-173 in 2021 (C.R.S. § 38-12-301), but Frederick and other Colorado municipalities have not exercised that authority. Landlords in Frederick may raise rent by any amount.
There is no limit on rent increases in Frederick. Because no rent control ordinance exists in Colorado, landlords may increase rent by any amount. For a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must give at least 91 days' written notice before the increase takes effect or the tenancy is terminated (C.R.S. § 13-40-107, as amended by SB 21-173). For a fixed-term lease, rent cannot change during the lease term unless the lease expressly allows it.
Under C.R.S. § 38-12-103, your landlord must return your security deposit — along with a written itemized statement of deductions — within 30 days of move-out (or up to 60 days if your lease expressly provides for it). If the landlord wrongfully withholds any amount, you may recover three times the withheld amount plus attorney fees. Always provide your forwarding address in writing at move-out.
Notice requirements depend on the eviction reason. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must give a 10-day written notice to pay or vacate (C.R.S. § 13-40-104). For a lease violation, a 10-day notice to comply or vacate is required. To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, the landlord must provide at least 91 days' written notice (C.R.S. § 13-40-107). After proper notice, the landlord must file in Weld County Court — self-help removal is illegal.
No. Colorado law prohibits self-help eviction. A landlord cannot change your locks, remove doors, shut off utilities, or remove your belongings without a court order. If a landlord attempts this, you should document the situation, contact Colorado Legal Services (coloradolegalservices.org), and consider filing an emergency motion in Weld County Court. Violations may entitle you to damages.
Colorado's Warranty of Habitability Act (C.R.S. § 38-12-501) requires landlords to maintain habitable conditions. After providing your landlord with written notice of a needed repair and a reasonable opportunity to fix it, you may be entitled to seek a rent reduction, terminate the lease, or pursue damages in court if the landlord refuses to act. Willful violations may also entitle you to attorney fees. Always send repair requests in writing and keep copies. Contact Colorado Legal Services for guidance before taking any rent-reduction or lease-termination steps.
This page is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information reflects laws in effect as of April 2026, but tenant rights laws can change. The application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. If you are facing eviction, a security deposit dispute, or another housing issue, consult a licensed Colorado attorney or contact one of the legal aid organizations listed above. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation.
We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Learn about tenant rights in other Colorado cities:
Home | About | Contact | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
© RentCheckMe. All rights reserved. Design: HTML5 UP.