Colorado For-Cause Evictions: What Landlords and Tenants Need to Know

In 2024, Colorado made significant changes to the landlord-tenant laws, including the implementation of a “for cause” eviction policy to tighten up the conditions for evictions. Essentially, landlords must now demonstrate a valid reason to evict a tenant or refuse a lease renewal. The goal is to promote better housing stability while protecting tenants from arbitrary evictions without just cause.

What constitutes a “valid reason”

To legally evict a tenant, landlords must demonstrate a legitimate cause for the eviction. Examples of a valid cause include:

• Unlawful detention of the property
• Tenant conduct that creates a nuisance or disturbance to the landlord, other tenants at the property, or an immediately adjacent property
• Significant violation of the lease agreement (and failure to comply after proper notice is given)
• Negligence or damage to the property
• The existence of sufficient grounds for a “no-fault” eviction

“No-fault” evictions

Though landlords must demonstrate a just cause for an eviction, the new statute also lays out acceptable scenarios for “no-fault” evictions or non-renewal of leases, such as:

• Non-payment of rent (for no-fault evictions for non-payment of rent, a rent payment qualifies as late if it is submitted ten calendar days after the day it is due according to the applicable lease agreement more than two times)
• Demolition or conversion of the property
• The need for substantial repairs or renovations to the property
• The need for the landlord or a family member to occupy the property
• Listing the property for sale
• Tenant refuses to sign a new lease with reasonable terms

“No-fault” evictions require a 90-day written notice from the landlord detailing the reason for eviction and the date the tenant is required to vacate. In addition, “no-fault” evictions are only permissible at the end of the applicable lease term – tenants cannot be evicted under the “no-fault” eviction statute in the middle of their lease term.

Landlords are not prohibited from increasing rent between lease periods, as long as the increase is not found to be retaliatory in nature. 

Stay compliant – Seek professional advice from Hackstaff, Snow, Atkinson & Griess

The new eviction statute is bound to create some challenges for both landlords and tenants. From ensuring compliance to the new regulations and notifications process to updating tenant acceptance criteria, our team of expert attorneys can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.