Last updated: April 2026
Monument renters are covered by Colorado state law on security deposits, habitability, and eviction — but the town has no rent control and landlords may raise rent with proper notice.
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Monument is a growing town in El Paso County, Colorado, situated between Colorado Springs and the Denver metro area along the Front Range. While Monument is a smaller community, its renters are entitled to the full set of protections provided by Colorado state law — including the state's Warranty of Habitability Act, security deposit rules, and anti-retaliation provisions. The town itself has not enacted any local tenant ordinances beyond what state law provides.
Colorado's rental landscape changed significantly in 2021, when the state legislature passed SB 21-173, lifting a decades-old ban that had prohibited local governments from enacting rent control. However, Monument has not passed any rent stabilization measure, and landlords in Monument remain free to raise rent by any amount with proper notice. State law does impose meaningful procedural requirements on landlords regarding notice, deposits, habitability, and eviction.
This guide summarizes the Colorado state law protections that apply to Monument renters. It is not legal advice. Renters facing eviction, deposit disputes, or habitability problems should contact a qualified attorney or one of the legal aid organizations listed at the bottom of this page.
Monument has no rent control. Colorado lifted its statewide preemption of local rent control with SB 21-173 in 2021, meaning local governments may now theoretically enact rent stabilization ordinances. However, Monument has not passed any such measure, and no rent caps apply within the town. Landlords in Monument may raise rent by any amount at any time, subject only to proper notice requirements.
For month-to-month tenants, Colorado law requires landlords to provide at least 91 days' written notice before terminating a tenancy (C.R.S. § 13-40-107). A rent increase that a tenant finds unacceptable effectively triggers this same notice framework — a tenant who refuses to accept a new rent amount may terminate the tenancy with proper notice. There is no cap on the percentage or dollar amount of any rent increase, and no requirement that landlords justify increases to tenants or a government body.
Renters concerned about rent affordability in Monument should review their lease carefully to understand any increase provisions and be aware that protections are limited to state-law procedural requirements.
Colorado state law provides a meaningful set of baseline protections for Monument renters across several key areas.
Warranty of Habitability (C.R.S. § 38-12-501): Colorado's Warranty of Habitability Act requires landlords to maintain rental units in a habitable condition. A unit must have functioning heat, adequate weatherproofing, safe electrical and plumbing systems, and freedom from pest infestations. If a landlord fails to address a serious habitability defect after written notice, tenants may have the right to withhold a portion of rent, make repairs and deduct costs, or terminate the lease, depending on severity. Tenants must give written notice and allow a reasonable time for repairs before exercising self-help remedies.
Security Deposit (C.R.S. § 38-12-103): Colorado law requires landlords to return security deposits within 30 days of move-out (or up to 60 days if the lease specifies), along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. If a landlord wrongfully withholds a deposit without justification, the tenant may recover treble (triple) the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney fees. Colorado does not cap the amount a landlord may charge as a deposit.
Notice to Terminate (C.R.S. § 13-40-107): Month-to-month tenants in Colorado must receive at least 91 days' written notice before the landlord terminates the tenancy — one of the longer statutory notice periods in the country. This provision gives renters meaningful lead time to find alternative housing. Tenants must provide the same notice when ending a month-to-month tenancy.
Anti-Retaliation (C.R.S. § 38-12-509): Landlords may not retaliate against tenants for exercising legal rights, including reporting code violations, requesting repairs, or joining a tenant organization. Retaliatory acts include raising rent, reducing services, or initiating eviction within a short time after a protected act. Tenants may raise retaliation as a defense in eviction proceedings.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction: Colorado law prohibits landlords from removing tenants through self-help means such as changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities. Any removal must be accomplished through the court process.
Security deposits in Monument are governed entirely by Colorado state law under C.R.S. § 38-12-102 through § 38-12-104. Colorado does not cap the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit — the amount is set by the lease agreement and is a matter of negotiation between landlord and tenant.
After you vacate, your landlord must return the deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days. If the lease allows, the landlord may take up to 60 days to return the deposit, but only if the lease explicitly provides for the extended period. Deductions are permitted for unpaid rent and for physical damage beyond normal wear and tear. Normal wear and tear — minor scuffs, small nail holes, faded paint — cannot be charged to the tenant.
If your landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of your deposit without providing a proper itemized statement, you are entitled to recover three times the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees under C.R.S. § 38-12-103. This treble damages remedy is a strong incentive for landlords to comply with deposit return requirements. Document your unit thoroughly with photos and video at both move-in and move-out, and always provide your landlord with a forwarding address in writing to ensure the clock begins running immediately.
Security deposit claims can be filed in El Paso County Small Claims Court if the amount is within jurisdictional limits. You do not need an attorney for small claims proceedings, but consulting one before filing is always advisable.
Colorado landlords must follow a court-supervised process to remove a tenant from a rental in Monument. Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — is illegal and exposes the landlord to civil liability.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, a Colorado landlord must serve the tenant with written notice. For nonpayment of rent, a 10-day Demand for Compliance or Possession is required (C.R.S. § 13-40-104). For a lease violation, a 10-day notice to comply or quit is typical. For termination of a month-to-month tenancy without cause, the landlord must give at least 91 days' written notice (C.R.S. § 13-40-107).
Step 2 — Unlawful Detainer Complaint: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an Unlawful Detainer complaint in El Paso County Court. A hearing will be scheduled, typically within a few weeks of filing. Tenants are entitled to receive proper service of the complaint and summons.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. Tenants may raise defenses including improper notice, habitability violations, and retaliation. Tenants who cannot afford counsel should contact Colorado Legal Services (coloradolegalservices.org) as early as possible before the hearing date.
Step 4 — Writ of Restitution: If the court finds in the landlord's favor and the tenant has not vacated, the landlord may request a Writ of Restitution directing a sheriff's deputy to remove the tenant. Only a court officer may physically remove a tenant — the landlord may not do so independently.
No. Monument has no rent control ordinance. Colorado lifted its statewide ban on local rent control in 2021 (SB 21-173), but Monument has not enacted any rent stabilization measure. Landlords in Monument may raise rent by any amount, provided they give proper advance written notice.
There is no limit on how much a Monument landlord can raise your rent. No local or state rent cap applies. However, for a month-to-month tenancy, your landlord must give you at least 91 days' written notice before terminating or changing the terms of the tenancy under C.R.S. § 13-40-107. If you have a fixed-term lease, rent cannot be raised until the lease expires or renews.
Your landlord must return your security deposit — with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days of your move-out (or up to 60 days if your lease allows). If the landlord wrongfully withholds any portion without justification, you may sue for three times the withheld amount plus attorney fees under C.R.S. § 38-12-103.
It depends on the reason. For nonpayment of rent, your landlord must give a 10-day written demand to pay or vacate (C.R.S. § 13-40-104). For a lease violation, a 10-day notice to comply or quit is standard. To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, your landlord must give at least 91 days' written notice (C.R.S. § 13-40-107). After notice, the landlord must obtain a court order before you can be removed.
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Colorado. A landlord cannot change your locks, remove your belongings, or shut off utilities to force you out — regardless of whether you owe rent. Doing so exposes the landlord to civil liability. Only a court-ordered writ executed by a sheriff's deputy can lawfully remove a tenant. If you are illegally locked out, contact Colorado Legal Services immediately.
Colorado's Warranty of Habitability Act (C.R.S. § 38-12-501) requires landlords to maintain habitable conditions. Give your landlord written notice of the needed repair and keep a copy. If the landlord fails to act within a reasonable time, you may have remedies including rent withholding, repair-and-deduct, or lease termination depending on the severity of the defect. Contact Colorado Legal Services or a private attorney before taking any self-help remedy to ensure you follow the proper legal procedure.
This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change; the information above reflects Colorado statutes as of April 2026. The application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. If you are facing eviction, a deposit dispute, or another housing issue, consult a licensed Colorado attorney or contact Colorado Legal Services. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and cannot provide legal representation.
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