One in three Denver households is paying more than a third of their income toward housing, and many are struggling to pay rent and utilities, resulting in eviction from their homes. Eviction is when a tenant is court-ordered to leave the property. Only a sheriff may enforce this court order, and landlords can never evict without a court order and a sheriff. In Denver, deputy sheriffs conduct evictions, and this type is called a Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED). Landlords cannot legally deny tenants access to the property, change the locks, or remove the tenant’s possessions without a court order.
Denver offers a number of resources for those facing an eviction. Please see our Tenant Rights and Resources guide, landlord-tenant counseling, and free eviction legal services.
On May 3, 2021, the Denver City Council passed a new ordinance requiring a Residential Rental Property license for any person to offer, provide, or operate a residential rental property in the City and County of Denver. The ordinance also adds additional renter protections. Beginning January 1, 2022, owners and operators of residential rental property (also known as “landlords”) may not allow any person to initiate a new occupancy of a rental property for more than 30 days unless and until the tenant has been provided a copy of an executed written lease, signed by both the landlord and tenant. The landlord must provide the tenant an electronic copy of the signed lease, or paper copy if requested by the tenant, within seven days from the tenant signing the lease. When providing a copy of the executed written lease and at any time the landlord makes any rent demand, the landlord must provide the most current version of a tenant rights and resources notice, which can be found in English and Spanish on the Department of Excise and Licenses’ Residential Rental Property License webpage.
If you have questions or have not received the Tenant Rights and Resource Guide (PDF, 981KB)(también disponible en español(PDF, 88KB)) upon signing a lease or receiving a notice, you can reach out to us at tenantlegalservices@denvergov.org and be connected with someone at Excise and Licensing, the enforcement agency for violations of the Rental Registry Ordinance.
Renter’s Housing Handbook
This guide summarizes the rights and obligations of residential landlords and tenants in Denver, Colorado, as of January 1, 2024. This resource is available in the following languages:
Please also attend our Free Eviction Clinic – Room 163 in the Denver City and County Building, located at 1437 Bannock St, from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Monday through Friday. Staff are available to answer questions and assist if you are facing eviction.
Read more about courthouse resources here!(PDF, 108KB)
HOST provides funding for free legal services for low to moderate income households (at or below 80% of the area median income) facing an eviction. Information on free legal services can be obtained from:
HOST provides free landlord-tenant counseling services through Colorado Housing Connects. This resource can connect you with a housing navigator to learn more about tenants’ rights and the steps needed to resolve a tenant-landlord issue. To learn more, call 1-844-926-6632 or visit the Colorado Housing Connects website.
Home repairs and modifications - Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA)
Help paying energy costs - Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
Free energy audits and weatherization assistance - Energy Resource Center
Assistance with housing discrimination and/or abuse - Denver Metro Fair Housing Center
Additional assistance programs - Denver Human Services