A Colorado lease agreement is a legally binding document between a landlord and their tenant. It outlines the terms and conditions for renting property and should include the personal information of both parties, a description of the premises being leased, and rent specifics (such as the security deposit, amount due, and payment methods).
Other essential details consist of disclosures about any known safety or health risks and whether pets are allowed or prohibited.
By Type
Room Rental Agreement
Enables a principal tenant to rent a specific room within a residential property to a subtenant.
Commercial Lease Agreement
Establishes the terms and conditions between a landlord and a business tenant.
Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement
Provides tenants with an exclusive option to purchase the property at a predetermined price.
Month-to-Month Rental Agreement
Automatically renews each month, providing flexibility for both parties.
Sublease Agreement
Allows a tenant (sublessor) to rent part or all of their leased property to a third party (subtenant).
Laws
Overview
Rent Control: No.
Limit on Late Fees: Yes.
Late Fees in Rental Agreement: Yes.
Grace Period: Yes.
License Required for Landlord: Yes, only in Denver.
Required Lease Disclosures
Colorado imposes distinct requirements for landlords and tenants when entering a lease agreement. For example, Title 38, Article 12, Colorado Revised Statutes requires the following:
- Radon disclosure. Landlords must inform their tenants of whether the property has been exposed to dangerous levels of radon (§ 38-12-803).
- Lead-paint disclosure. For rental properties built before 1978 (Title 42 U.S. Code § 4852(d)).
- Carbon monoxide alarm compliance. For housing units that include fuel-fired appliances (§ 38-45-104).
Security Deposit
There is no limit as to the maximum amount a Colorado landlord may request from a potential tenant (no statute). Colorado landlords are required to return a tenant’s security deposit within one month of termination of the lease unless previously agreed upon and no more than 60 days, even if agreed upon (§ 38-12-103).
If safety or health hazards force a tenant to vacate the premises, landlords are required to return the tenant’s deposit within 72 hours (§ 38-12-104).
Landlord Right of Entry
Colorado landlords do not have to inform tenants before entering the property, but a 24 to 48-hour notice is recommended. However, if the lease does not specify when the landlord can enter, the tenant has exclusive control and is not obligated to grant access, except in emergencies.
Domestic Violence
Colorado tenants may terminate their leases early in circumstances involving sexual abuse, sexual assault, or other domestic violence matters, but they may be responsible for one extra month’s rent to the landlord (§ 38-12-402). Colorado landlords may require proof of domestic violence status from tenants.
Retaliation
A landlord shall not discriminatorily increase rent or decrease provided help and services for a tenant due to a tenant’s good faith complaint to the landlord or government agency alleging the premises’ conditions breach the warranty of habitability (§ 38-12-509).
Sample
You can download a Colorado lease agreement template below in PDF or Word format.
