Colorado Springs's Rental Property Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles rental property rules a little differently. In Colorado Springs, Colorado, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Rent Control

Colorado Springs does not have rent control or rent stabilization ordinances. Colorado state law (C.R.S. 38-12-301) preempts local governments from enacting rent control measures, explicitly prohibiting any county or municipality from imposing controls on the amount of rent charged for private residential property. Landlords may set and increase rents at market rates without limitation, subject only to the terms of existing lease agreements. This statewide preemption means Colorado Springs cannot adopt rent control even if it wished to do so.

Key details: Rent Control: None — not permitted by state law. State Preemption: C.R.S. 38-12-301 prohibits local rent control. Rent Increases: No limits — market rate applies. Lease Terms: Increases subject to existing lease agreements. Tenant Protections: Standard Colorado landlord-tenant law applies.

Rent increases without proper notice: tenant may challenge. Retaliatory rent increases after complaint: prohibited under state law. Violation of lease terms: standard landlord-tenant remedies.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Colorado Springs gives residents more flexibility on rent control.

Just Cause Eviction

Colorado Springs does not have a just-cause eviction ordinance. Landlords may terminate tenancies for any lawful reason with proper notice as provided under Colorado landlord-tenant law. For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must provide written notice as required by state statute (typically 21 days for tenancies of one month to six months, 28 days for tenancies of six months to one year, and 91 days for tenancies of one year or longer under recent Colorado legislation). Colorado does prohibit retaliatory evictions under C.R.S. 38-12-509.

Key details: Just-Cause Required: No — not required in Colorado Springs. Notice (1-6 months): 21 days written notice. Notice (6-12 months): 28 days written notice. Notice (1+ year): 91 days written notice. Retaliation: Retaliatory eviction prohibited (C.R.S. 38-12-509).

Illegal self-help eviction: tenant damages and penalties. Retaliatory eviction: prohibited, tenant may counterclaim. Improper notice: eviction case dismissed.

The rules around just cause eviction in Colorado Springs lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Rental Registration

Colorado Springs requires short-term rental properties to register with the city through a licensing process. Traditional long-term rental properties do not currently require a separate rental registration or licensing with the city. Short-term rentals (stays of fewer than 30 consecutive days) must obtain a Short-Term Rental license, pay applicable lodgers' and sales taxes, and comply with occupancy and parking standards. The city has been expanding short-term rental regulation to address neighborhood impacts.

Key details: Long-Term Rentals: No registration required. Short-Term Rentals: License required for stays under 30 days. Taxes: Lodgers' tax and sales tax apply to STRs. Compliance: Occupancy and parking standards apply. Enforcement: City licensing and code enforcement.

Operating without registration: fines $100 to $1,000 per unit. Failed inspection: correction notice, re-inspection required. Renting uninhabitable unit: penalties up to $5,000 and potential criminal charges.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Colorado Springs gives residents more room on rental property rules. 2 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Colorado Springs's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.