English
EspañolWhat protections do these laws offer?
There are a number of protections in this law for a victim of domestic violence, domestic abuse, unlawful sexual behavior, or stalking:
- Your landlord cannot end (terminate) your lease, fine you, or punish you for calling the police or other emergency services. This rule covers situations where you called for help because of domestic violence, domestic abuse, unlawful sexual behavior, or stalking. Also, no matter what your lease says, you cannot give up your right to call the police or other emergency services for help.1
- You can end your lease early if you want to leave (vacate) your home because you think there is danger as a result of domestic violence, domestic abuse, unlawful sexual behavior, or stalking.2 You can do this even if the landlord has already filed an eviction case, as long as the judge has not yet entered an eviction order against you.3 See What documents do I need to give to my landlord to end my lease? to get more information about how to do this.
- You cannot be evicted solely because you are a victim of domestic violence, domestic abuse, unlawful sexual behavior, or stalking. However, you can still be evicted for other reasons.4
- Your landlord cannot ask for or consider any information about your status as a victim when you apply to live in their property.5
1 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-402(1)
2 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-402(2)(a), (2)(a.5)
3 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-402(6)
4 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-402(3)
5 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-402(5)
What documentation do I need to give my landlord to end my lease?
To end (terminate) your lease, you must do both of the following things:
- Tell your landlord in writing that you are a victim of domestic violence, domestic abuse, unlawful sexual behavior, or stalking; and
- Give your landlord one of the following documents:
- a self-attestation affidavit saying that you are the victim of unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, domestic violence, or domestic abuse, and that this incident is why you are ending your lease. Note: You must include the name of the abuser in this affidavit if you know it and you think it is safe to include it;
- a letter signed by a qualified third party stating that you asked for help from them and they believe this incident is a reason for ending the lease;
- a police report written within the past 120 days documenting the domestic violence, domestic abuse, unlawful sexual behavior, or stalking; or
- a valid civil or criminal protection order.1
1 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-402(2)(a), (2)(a.5)
Al terminar mi contrato de arrendamiento, ¿le deberé dinero al arrendador?
Usted podría deberle una cantidad de dinero equivalente a un mes de renta, si el/la arrendador/a ha perdido dinero por usted haber terminado su contrato antes de tiempo. El/la arrendador/a debe documentar el dinero (daños) que perdió. Este dinero se le deberá pagar a el/la arrendador/a dentro de 90 días de haberse ido de (desocupado) su casa. El/la arrendador/a se puede quedar con el depósito de seguridad hasta que usted pague ese mes de renta o puede usar el depósito para ir cubriendo el dinero que usted le debe.1
Lo que sucede frecuentemente es que el/la arrendador/a se queda con el depósito y lo regresa si logra alquilar la casa o el apartamento rápido y si no es necesario usar el depósito para reparar cualquier daño físico a la propiedad. Si el arrendador no puede alquilar la casa o el apartamento rápido, se quedará con el depósito en lugar de la renta que se debe.
1 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-402(2)(b)
What happens to my security deposit?
If the abuser is on the same lease that you are terminating, there is a “presumption” in the law that you will receive the full security deposit.1 The landlord can keep part of the security deposit only if:
- you did not pay in full:
- the prior rent that you owed;
- your utility charges; or
- any other lawful charges that were included in your lease; or
- there is necessary repair work for damage that happened while you lived there that is more than normal wear and tear, as long as that damage was not caused by the unlawful sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence, or domestic abuse.2
If the landlord claims any of these apply, they must give you a written statement listing the exact reasons when they return the rest of your security deposit.3
1 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-402(2)(b)
2 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-103(1)(b)
3 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-103(1)(a)
Can I change my locks or make other changes to the apartment for my safety?
You can change your locks if you give your landlord the same notice that you would give to end your lease. Once you have done that, your landlord cannot stop you, charge you any penalty, or take any other action against you because you changed the locks. Even if your lease says that you cannot change the locks, that section is void due to this law.1 The law does not explicitly say who must pay for the new lock, but it is likely if you decide to change it that you will have to pay for it.
You must give the landlord a copy of the new key or code within 14 days of when you change the locks. However, if your landlord is the person who committed the unlawful sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence, or domestic abuse, you don’t have to give them a copy. If you think it’s safe and they agree not to give the key to the landlord, you can give it to another person who has the authority to manage the property.2
You may also take any other “reasonable” safety precaution, such as:
- installing window bars;
- installing cameras; or
- making other non-permanent changes to the property.1
The landlord must also take all “reasonably necessary” steps to make sure your home is safe.1
1 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-402(7)(a)
2 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-402(7)(c)
La información que le digo a mi arrendador, ¿es confidencial?
El/la arrendador/a (casero/a) no puede decirle a nadie que usted es víctima de conducta sexual ilegal, acecho, violencia doméstica o maltrato doméstico, a menos que usted consienta o que la ley se lo requiera. Además, luego de terminar su arrendamiento, si le da su nueva dirección a su arrendador/a, él/ella no puede darle esa dirección a nadie a menos que usted consienta o que la ley se lo requiera.1
1 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-402(4)
What if my landlord violates this law?
You can sue your landlord in civil court for money (“damages”) if they do not allow you to end your lease, change your locks, or do anything else you have the right to do under this law. If you are successful, the judge can give you:
- statutory damages in the amount of your actual financial losses, plus whichever is higher: $5,000 or three times your monthly rent;
- punitive damages to punish the landlord for violating the law;
- other damages that the judge believes are appropriate;
- attorney’s fees; and
- costs.1
1 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-402(8)
