What Every Colorado Landlord Needs to Know

As property managers, one of our primary responsibilities is helping rental property owners stay informed as Colorado’s rental laws continue to evolve. The past several legislative sessions brought significant changes that created uncertainty for many housing providers.

Fortunately, the 2026 legislative session was much more balanced. While lawmakers continued to explore additional tenant protections, many of the proposals that would have dramatically changed the landlord-tenant relationship did not become law. Instead, the legislation that passed focused largely on improving transparency and clarifying existing regulations.

Here’s a summary of the most important updates for Colorado real estate investors.

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Bills That Did NOT Pass

Several high-profile bills generated concern throughout the property management industry but ultimately did not become law.

Proposed Eviction Process Changes (HB26-1106)

This bill would have significantly slowed the eviction process by:

• Limiting the number of eviction cases heard each day
• Requiring certain cases to proceed before a jury
• Restricting evictions during certain weather conditions

While these changes were not adopted, they demonstrate that eviction reform will likely remain a topic in future legislative sessions.

Additional Eviction Filing Requirements (HB26-1047)

Another proposal would have required landlords to:

• Include a copy of the lease with every demand notice
• Submit extensive tenant documentation when filing an eviction
• Keep eviction records suppressed from public view

This legislation did not pass but may return in future sessions.

Vacancy Tax Proposal (HB26-1036)

Lawmakers also considered allowing additional property taxes on vacant residential properties. This proposal was unsuccessful but continues to be discussed as Colorado addresses housing affordability.

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Laws That Passed in 2026

Several new laws were approved that landlords and property managers should understand.

Housing Protections for Individuals with Disabilities (HB26-1045)

Effective Immediately

This legislation incorporates existing federal emotional support animal protections directly into Colorado law.

For most landlords, this formalizes procedures that many professional property managers were already following when reviewing accommodation requests.

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Utility Billing Clarification (HB26-1013)

Effective Immediately

This bill primarily affects multi-family housing.

The legislation corrects portions of last year’s utility billing law by allowing Ratio Utility Billing Systems (RUBS) under specific guidelines while providing clearer rules regarding shared utility billing.

Owners of duplexes, apartment buildings, and other multi-family properties should review their utility billing practices to ensure compliance.

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Tenant Screening & Data Protection (HB26-1196)

Effective January 1, 2027

Beginning in 2027, landlords must provide greater transparency regarding applicant screening.

Housing providers will be required to disclose:

• Which screening company is being used
• What consumer information is being reviewed during the application process

The law also strengthens protections surrounding personal information contained within eviction filings.

Most professional property management companies already follow similar best practices, making this a relatively straightforward transition.

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Security Deposits for Post-Closing Occupancy Agreements (HB26-0054)

Effective August 12, 2026

This is welcome news for the real estate industry.

The law removes previous limitations on security deposits collected during post-closing occupancy (leaseback) agreements.

This provides greater flexibility when structuring occupancy agreements after closing while allowing buyers and sellers to better protect their interests.

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Portable Solar Devices (HB26-1007)

Effective January 1, 2027

Homeowners Associations and housing providers generally may not prohibit tenants from installing qualifying portable solar devices.

While tenants remain responsible for installation costs, landlords should review lease language and property policies to ensure they comply with the new law.

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What This Means for Colorado Rental Property Owners

Overall, the 2026 legislative session brought stability rather than sweeping change.

While Colorado continues to refine landlord-tenant laws, this year’s legislation strikes a more balanced approach by:

• Increasing transparency
• Clarifying existing regulations
• Protecting consumer information
• Providing practical guidance for housing providers

Professional property management has never been more valuable. Staying compliant with changing laws helps protect your investment, reduce liability, and provide a better experience for both landlords and tenants.

If you own rental property in Colorado and have questions about how these legislative changes affect your investment, we’d be happy to help. Our team stays current on changing regulations so you can focus on maximizing your property’s long-term value.

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Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Property owners should consult with qualified legal counsel regarding specific legal questions or situations. Legislative summaries are based on the 2026 Colorado legislative session.