What is the Colorado security deposit return deadline?
30 days (up to 60 if specified in lease) (30-60 days).
Colorado Security Deposit Laws (2026)
Key rules for deadlines, penalties, and documentation requirements, with direct links to the official statute.
Quick answer for Colorado renters
In Colorado, landlords generally must return the deposit or send a lawful itemized statement within 30-60 days. Penalty exposure can reach 3x damages.
Deadline
30-60 days
30 days (up to 60 if specified in lease)
Penalty
3x damages
Treble (3x) damages + attorney fees for willful retention
What matters most in Colorado
This is the fast version of what searchers usually want from this page before they start a letter.
What starts the clock
The deadline usually runs from move-out and return of possession.
What the landlord had to send
If the landlord keeps part of the deposit, they generally need a timely written itemized statement explaining the deductions.
What proof matters most
Photos, move-out condition notes, receipts, and written communications are the core proof if this dispute escalates.
What to do today
First confirm the Colorado deadline, then preserve photos, itemization, and all written communications.
Keep reading if you're still pressure-testing the case
These links answer the generic searches that usually happen before or after a state-law lookup.
How to get your security deposit back
Step-by-step playbook for deadlines, deductions, and escalation.
Landlord didn't return your deposit
Use this when the deadline already passed and you need the next escalation step.
Do landlords have to provide receipts?
Useful if the dispute turns on missing proof, estimates, or inflated repair bills.
How to write a demand letter
Use this before the state template if you want the anatomy of a strong letter first.
Turn the Colorado rules into a finished demand
Once the law looks favorable, carry Colorado straight into the short paid path. We'll keep the state prefilled and move you into letter preview, checkout, and delivery options.
Requirements
Move-in checklistNot required
Pre move-out inspectionNot required
Certified mailNot required
Forwarding addressNot required
Notes
- HB 25-1249 (effective Jan 1, 2026): Security deposit capped at 2 months' rent
- HB 25-1249 (effective Jan 1, 2026): Pet deposit capped at $300
- CRITICAL: Must send 7-day pre-suit notice to recover treble damages and attorney fees
- If lease specifies >60 days, clause is void and defaults to 30 days
- Failure to provide timely statement forfeits ALL rights to withhold any portion
Citations
Quick references pulled from our shared state law dataset. Open each explainer for plain-English context.
Deposit return deadline
C.R.S. § 38-12-103(1) - Landlord must return deposit within 30 days (or up to 60 if in lease)
Explain this statuteOfficial sectionItemized deductions
C.R.S. § 38-12-103(1) - Landlord must provide written statement with exact reasons
Explain this statuteOfficial sectionNormal wear and tear
C.R.S. § 38-12-102(1) - Normal wear and tear cannot be retained
Explain this statuteOfficial sectionForfeiture rules
C.R.S. § 38-12-103(2) - Failure to provide statement forfeits all rights to withhold
Explain this statuteOfficial sectionBad faith penalties
C.R.S. § 38-12-103(3)(a) - Willful retention results in treble (3x) damages + attorney fees
Explain this statuteOfficial sectionPre-suit notice
C.R.S. § 38-12-103(3)(a) - Tenant must give 7-day written notice before filing suit
Explain this statuteOfficial sectionDeposit limits
HB 25-1249 - Security deposit capped at 2 months' rent (effective Jan 1, 2026)
Explain this statuteOfficial sectionPet deposit limit
HB 25-1249 - Pet deposit capped at $300 (effective Jan 1, 2026)
Explain this statuteOfficial section
Always verify against official sources.
Common Colorado dispute scenarios
Choose the scenario that matches your case to get state-specific next actions.
Landlord missed the deposit deadline
Use this path when your landlord returned the deposit late or failed to send any lawful itemized statement on time.
No itemized deduction statement
Use this path when money was withheld but no legally compliant itemized statement was provided.
Missing receipts or invoices
Use this path when deductions were listed but the landlord did not provide the receipts, invoices, estimates, or labor detail needed to justify the charges.
Charged for normal wear and tear
Use this path when deductions include routine aging, ordinary use, or charges that should have been depreciated.
Evidence of landlord bad faith
Use this path when withholding appears intentional, reckless, or unsupported by evidence and statute.
Ready to send a state-specific demand letter
Use this path when you are ready to turn the timeline, deductions, and state-law rules into a written demand that puts the landlord on notice.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common Colorado security deposit questions.
What penalties can apply in Colorado?
Treble (3x) damages + attorney fees for willful retention. See C.R.S. § 38-12-103.
What is the small claims limit in Colorado?
County Court, Small Claims Division limit: $7,500. Filing fees: $31-$55.
Next steps
Move directly into the paid path with Colorado prefilled, or keep using the free tools to estimate your deadline and map your court path.