Denver, CO Building Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Requirement
- Functioning CO detector in every unit
- Applies to
- Licensed residential rental properties
- Enforced by
- Department of Excise and Licenses
- Penalty
- Up to $5,000 per violation per day
- Citation
- DRMC § 27-195(c)
Summary
Denver requires every dwelling unit in a licensed residential rental property to have a functioning carbon monoxide detector, smoke detector, and fire extinguisher.
A residential rental property licensee shall ensure that all dwelling units within a residential rental property contain a functioning smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and fire extinguisher.(d)A residential rental property licensee shall comply with section 27-240 herein.(e)A residential rental property licensee shall, to advertise a residential rental property, clearly display the license number on the face of the advertisement. For the purpose of this section, the terms "advertise," "advertising" or "advertisement" mean the act of drawing the public's attention to a residential rental property. This subsection (e) shall apply to any person, employee, agent or independent contractor advertising on behalf of a residential rental property licensee. (Ord. No. 420-21, § 1, 5-3-21; Ord. No. 617-22, § 1, 6-20-22; Ord. No. 1585-22, § 2, 12-19-22)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
Denver's residential rental property ordinance requires every dwelling unit in a licensed rental property to have a functioning smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and fire extinguisher, enforced through the license inspection process run by the Department of Excise and Licenses. The same equipment is required for short-term rentals under a companion provision. Landlords who fail to maintain required detectors risk denial, suspension, or revocation of the rental license, plus a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation per day under the article's penalty section.
Violations & Fines
Operating a licensed rental without a working CO detector risks license denial, suspension, or revocation, plus civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Denver require CO detectors in owner-occupied homes?
What happens if a rental unit lacks a CO detector?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denver
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