If a rental property in Colorado fails to meet legally required health and safety standards, tenants have the right to report their landlord to local public officials who may choose to follow up, inspect the property and cite the landlord for such violations.
What Are Considered Unsafe Living Conditions in Colorado?
In Colorado, unsafe living conditions exist when a rental property doesn’t have safe and working:
- Plumbing.
- Sewage.
- Electricity.
- Gas.
- Weatherproofing.
- Doors and windows (including locks).
- Heating.
- Hot water.
- Exterior garbage containers.
- Floors, stairways, and railings.
- Smoke alarms and CO detectors.
- Common areas.
A landlord’s direct or indirect interruption of utility services may qualify as an unsafe condition, along with any other issue that substantially impacts health and safety on a property.
What Should Tenants Do Before Reporting a Violation in Colorado?
In most cases, before reporting a violation, a tenant in Colorado must notify the landlord about the issue through a written or electronic repair request, and ask him to begin repairs within 24-96 hours, depending on specifics.
How Can Tenants Report a Violation in Colorado?
Tenants in Colorado should report violations to the local office or officers responsible for housing code enforcement. The exact process depends on municipality.
| Location | Organization | Contact |
| Denver | Denver 311 | Online Form |
| Colorado Springs | Neighborhood Services | Online Form |
| Aurora | Access Aurora | Online Form |
After receiving a complaint, an inspecting officer might contact the tenant for more information. Then the officer will usually inspect the property and cite the landlord for any code violations.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Denver?
A tenant in Denver can report a health or safety violation by calling (720) 913-1311 or using the online form provided by Denver 311. Most violations will fall under “Other.” Describe the issue, attach supporting documentation, enter location and contact information, and submit.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Colorado Springs?
A tenant in Colorado Springs can report a health or safety violation by calling (719) 444-7891 or using the online form provided by Neighborhood Services. Most issues will fall under “Housing concerns – tenants – unsafe living conditions.” Select a location, describe the issue, and submit.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Aurora?
A tenant in Aurora can report a health or safety violation by calling Code Enforcement at (303) 739-7000 or using the online form provided by Access Aurora. Most issues will fall under “Code Enforcement.” Select a location, describe the issue, attach supplemental documentation, and submit.
What Could Happen to a Landlord After a Complaint Is Made in Colorado?
After a tenant files a complaint about unsafe living conditions in Colorado, an officer may inspect the property. The landlord must fix noted code violations (often within 7-14 days). Otherwise, the landlord could be fined and the local government might file to condemn the property.
Sources
- 1 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-505(1)(a) (2022)
-
“A residential premises is deemed uninhabitable if: … There is mold that is associated with dampness, or there is any other condition causing the residential premises to be damp, which … would materially interfere with the health or safety of the tenant…”
Source Link - 2 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-505(1)(b)(i) - (1)(b)(vi) (2022)
-
“A residential premises is deemed uninhabitable if: … It substantially lacks any of the following characteristics: (I) Functioning appliances … in good working order; (II) Waterproofing and weather protection of roof and exterior walls … including unbroken windows and doors; (III) Plumbing or gas facilities … (IV) Running water and reasonable amounts of hot water … connected to a sewage disposal system … (V) Functioning heating facilities … (VI) Electrical lighting, with wiring and electrical equipment …
Source Link - 3 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-505(1)(b)(vii) - (1)(b)(xii) (2022)
-
“A residential premises is deemed uninhabitable if: … It substantially lacks any of the following characteristics: (VII) Common areas and areas under the control of the landlord that are kept reasonably clean, sanitary, and free from all accumulations … (VIII) Appropriate extermination in response to the infestation of rodents or vermin … (IX) An adequate number of appropriate exterior receptacles for garbage and rubbish, in good repair; (X) Floors, stairways, and railings maintained in good repair; (XI) Locks on all exterior doors and locks or security devices on windows designed to be opened that are maintained in good working order; or (XII) Compliance with all applicable building, housing, and health codes, the violation of which would constitute a condition that materially interferes with the life, health, or safety of the tenant.”
Source Link - 4 Int’l Fire Code § 907.8.4 (2021)
-
Colorado incorporates the 2021 International Fire Code. “The building owner shall be responsible to maintain the fire and life safety systems in an operable condition at all times.”
Source Link - 5 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-507(1)(a) (2022)
-
“(a) Upon no less than ten and no more than thirty days written notice to the landlord specifying the condition alleged to breach the warranty of habitability and giving the landlord five business days from the receipt of the written notice to remedy the breach, a tenant may terminate the rental agreement by surrendering possession of the dwelling unit. If the breach is remediable by repairs, the payment of damages, or otherwise and the landlord adequately remedies the breach within five business days of receipt of the notice, the rental agreement shall not terminate by reason of the breach.”
Source Link
