Arapahoe County, CO Rental Property Rules: Just Cause Eviction (2026)
Just cause eviction rules in Arapahoe County, CO, sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances, list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
Key Facts
- State Law
- HB 24-1098 just cause
- Grounds
- 11 statutory reasons
- No-Pay Notice
- 10 days (CRS 13-40-107)
- No-Fault Notice
- 90 days
- Self-Help
- Illegal, 3-month damages
Summary
Colorado HB 24-1098 established statewide just-cause eviction protections for most residential tenants. Arapahoe County follows state law: landlords need a statutory reason to terminate tenancy or refuse lease renewal. Self-help eviction is prohibited.
With certain exceptions, the act prohibits a landlord from evicting a residential tenant unless the landlord has cause for eviction. Cause exists only when: A tenant or lessee is guilty of an unlawful detention of real property under certain circumstances described in existing law, as amended by the act; A tenant or lessee engages in conduct that creates a nuisance or disturbance that interferes with the quiet enjoyment of the landlord or other tenants at the property or an immediately adjacent property, or where the tenant negligently damaged the property; or Conditions exist constituting grounds for a "no-fault eviction". The following conditions constitute grounds for a "no-fault eviction" of a residential tenant, with certain limitations: Demolition or conversion of the residential premises; Substantial repairs or renovations to the residential premises; Occupancy of the residential premises is assumed by the landlord or a family member of the landlord; Withdrawal of the residential premises from the rental market for the purpose of selling the residential premises; A tenant refuses to sign a new lease with reasonable terms; and A tenant has a history of nonpayment of rent. If a landlord proceeds with an eviction of a tenant without cause, the tenant may seek relief as provided in existing laws concerning unlawful removal of a tenant and may assert the landlord's violation as an affirmative defense to an eviction proceeding.
Full Breakdown
Colorado HB 24-1098 (effective April 2024) made Colorado a just-cause eviction state for most residential tenants. Landlords must have one of eleven statutory grounds to terminate or non-renew a tenancy: non-payment of rent, material lease violation, substantial property damage, unlawful activity, refusal to sign a reasonable lease renewal, landlord or family member moving in, sale of property for demolition or conversion, major renovation, withdrawal from rental market, or safety concern. Exemptions exist for owner-occupied duplexes, employer-provided housing, and tenancies under 12 months of first occupancy. CRS 13-40-107 sets notice periods: 10 days for non-payment (3-Day Demand), 10 days for lease violations, 21 days for no-cause non-renewal in some contexts, and 90 days for no-fault reasons. Self-help evictions (lockouts, utility shutoffs) are prohibited under CRS 38-12-510 with damages up to three months' rent.
Violations & Fines
Unlawful eviction (lockouts, shut-offs) triggers damages under CRS 38-12-510 up to three months rent plus attorney fees. Eviction filings without just cause are dismissed. Retaliatory evictions violate CRS 38-12-509.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord evict me for no reason in Arapahoe County?
Can a landlord change my locks for non-payment?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arapahoe County
Compare Arapahoe County to another location·View the Colorado rental property rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.