DENVER (KDVR) — Gov. Jared Polis signed a measure into law on Friday that will prevent no-fault lease terminations in Colorado.
The law is designed to protect renters from a landlord’s whims, retaliation and discrimination.
“Our ‘For Cause Eviction’ legislation clearly defines in state law when and why landlords can evict tenants to prevent discriminatory and retaliatory evictions,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, a Democrat representing Denver and prime bill sponsor.
Mabrey said the law creates stability for both landlords and renters because it does not prevent landlords from tenants who have violated a lease or are behind on rent, or where a landlord is leaving the business.
“With this legislation becoming law, we will save Colorado families money and help keep roofs over their heads and roots in their community,” Mabrey said.
Eviction rates in Denver and Colorado have been on the rise, exceeding recession-era rates and reaching record numbers in 2023. FOX31 previously reported that almost 13,000 evictions were filed in Denver in 2023, while in 2022, there were 8,863. That’s a nearly 45% increase.
“Too many families know firsthand the fear and uncertainty that comes with being evicted from their home, as well as all the difficult consequences that arise because of it,” said Senator Julie Gonzales, a Democrat representing Denver. “We must do more to protect vulnerable renters from being evicted without reason. Our new ‘for cause’ eviction law will improve housing stability, prevent displacement, and keep more of our neighbors in their homes, and I am pleased to see it get signed into law.”
Some of the exceptions to the law allow for no-fault lease non-renewal because of substantial repairs, conversion projects or selling the property. Some other exceptions to the ‘For Cause Eviction’ law include rentals in the landlord’s primary residence, short-term rentals, mobile homes and housing provided to employees by their employers.
“Unnecessary and arbitrary evictions have devastating consequences for Coloradans, which is why we passed legislation to clearly outline reasons landlords can file for an eviction,” said House Majority Leader Monica Duran, a Democrat representing Wheat Ridge, in a release. “Evictions make renters more vulnerable to homelessness, and having an eviction on your record can make it nearly impossible to find housing.”
Sen. Nick Hinrichsen, a Democrat representing Pueblo, noted there are many situations that this law applies to, such as major repairs like a roof leak that the landlord refuses to repair.
“Do you report it to your local housing authority, so there will be accountability on the landlord to fix it? Or do you keep quiet, knowing that, if you do that, your landlord might not renew your lease?” Hinrichsen asked. “This is just one example of the many cases this bill addresses, to ensure that tenants who are doing the right things don’t lose their housing for arbitrary reasons. It creates stability and financial security for good tenants and their families.”
The law ensures that the lawful reasons a landlord could evict a tenant include failure to pay rent promptly, destruction of property, interfering with the right to quiet enjoyment or a substantial violation of the rental agreement.
Additionally, the bill increased the required amount of time that a management company has to give notice before entering a mobile home from 48 hours to 72 hours.
Heather Willard
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