Boulder Landlord-Tenant Rules
Boulder adds local rules on top of Colorado landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.
| Tenant right to counsel | Boulder must run and fully fund a program giving legal representation and/or rental assistance to every tenant in the city who faces a covered proceeding: a notice to quit, demand for compliance or possession, an eviction case, or a Section 8 assistance termination. Representation lasts at least until the notice or case is withdrawn or dismissed, a final judgment is entered, or the Section 8 proceeding ends, and can include asking to suppress records of a past eviction. The program is called Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Services (EPRAS). It was created by the 'No Eviction Without Representation' measure voters approved in November 2020 (effective January 1, 2021), and is funded by an annual excise tax on each long-term rental license unit ($82.57 per unit for 2027). EPRAS also offers rental assistance and mediation. The city's program page lists no income limit. Request help online, call 303-441-3414, or email Evictionprevention@bouldercolorado.gov. The text of Sec. 12-2-9(a) is reprinted in the city's Rental Unit Lease Disclosure: https://bouldercolorado.gov/media/16435/download?inline=. The city manager may set client screening criteria. Source: B.R.C. Sec. 12-2-9 (Ord. 8412) |
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| Required notices/registration | Before a tenant moves in, landlords must give written disclosures of certain city ordinances, including occupancy limits, the right to legal representation and rental assistance in eviction, noise, nuisance parties, fireworks, bear-resistant trash containers and snow removal. The city publishes a Rental Unit Lease Disclosure form landlords may use. Landlords must also give written notice of the right to legal representation and how to get it along with any notice to quit or demand for compliance or possession, or a Section 8 termination notice. Violating Boulder occupancy laws can bring criminal prosecution and fines of up to $2,650 per day, according to the disclosure form. |
| Rental licensing & inspection | Every long-term rental (30 days or more) in Boulder needs a city rental license, including rented accessory dwelling units. Exemptions include an owner-occupied unit renting to no more than two unrelated people, and some temporary rentals of an owner's principal residence (up to 12 consecutive months in any 24). A new license, a lapsed license or a change of ownership requires a safety inspection by a city-licensed private inspector (life safety, plumbing, mechanical and electrical, and fire safety) and SmartRegs energy-efficiency certification. Multi-unit buildings need an outdoor lighting certification for a four-year license. The license fee is $190. Owners living outside Boulder County must name a local agent who can reach the property within 60 minutes. A license term can be cut to 24 months for Housing Code violations or 12 months for land use violations. The city says finding an unlicensed rental will lead to legal action. Licensing questions: 303-441-3152, RHL@bouldercolorado.gov. Report suspected violations: 303-441-1880. |
| Security deposit interest | In Boulder the tenant owns the security deposit, and the landlord must pay simple interest on it at the end of the lease, within one month (or up to 60 days if the lease says so). The rate is set each year by the city manager from the average one-year CD rate at three Boulder banks, calculated December 15. Interest may be withheld only for the same reasons as the deposit. If interest is wrongly kept, the tenant may recover three times the amount or $100, whichever is more, plus attorney's fees and costs, after giving the landlord 7 days' written notice. Handbook is current as of March 2025. Check the city website for this year's rate. |
| Occupancy limits | State law (HB24-1007) bars limits based on how many unrelated people live together. Boulder still enforces occupancy limits under the International Property Maintenance Code based on bedroom number and size: each bedroom must be at least 70 square feet, with at least 50 square feet per occupant. Occupancy questions: Planning Department, 303-441-1880. |
| Mediation | The City's Community Mediation and Resolution Center offers free landlord-tenant mediation for properties in Boulder and Boulder County (not Longmont), including as an alternative to court. Call 303-441-4364. Source: Official source |
| State preemption | Colorado bars counties and cities from controlling rent on private residential property. Voluntary agreements or deed restrictions with an owner or permit applicant for affordable housing are allowed. Statewide tenant protections, including source-of-income rules, are on the Colorado state page. Source: C.R.S. Sec. 38-12-301 |
Eviction cases in Boulder are heard in: Boulder County Court (20th Judicial District). Since November 7, 2025, all eviction (FED) hearings are held in Boulder, on Friday mornings.
Right to a lawyer in eviction cases
Yes. Boulder funds legal representation and/or rental assistance for all tenants in the city facing eviction or a Section 8 termination (B.R.C. 12-2-9). The city's program page lists no income limit. Official source
Local agencies
- Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Services (EPRAS) — Free legal services, rental assistance and mediation for Boulder tenants facing eviction. 303-441-3414, Evictionprevention@bouldercolorado.gov.
- Community Mediation and Resolution Center (CMRC) — Free landlord-tenant mediation and the city Landlord-Tenant Handbook. 303-441-4364.
- Rental Housing Licensing — Issues long-term rental licenses and takes reports of unlicensed rentals. 303-441-3152.
Frequently asked questions
What landlord-tenant rules does Boulder add on top of Colorado law?
Tenant right to counsel: Boulder must run and fully fund a program giving legal representation and/or rental assistance to every tenant in the city who faces a covered proceeding: a notice to quit, demand for compliance or possession, an eviction case, or a Section 8 assistance termination. Representation lasts at least until the notice or case is withdrawn or dismissed, a final judgment is entered, or the Section 8 proceeding ends, and can include asking to suppress records of a past eviction. The program is called Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Services (EPRAS). It was created by the 'No Eviction Without Representation' measure voters approved in November 2020 (effective January 1, 2021), and is funded by an annual excise tax on each long-term rental license unit ($82.57 per unit for 2027). EPRAS also offers rental assistance and mediation. The city's program page lists no income limit. Request help online, call 303-441-3414, or email Evictionprevention@bouldercolorado.gov.; Required notices/registration: Before a tenant moves in, landlords must give written disclosures of certain city ordinances, including occupancy limits, the right to legal representation and rental assistance in eviction, noise, nuisance parties, fireworks, bear-resistant trash containers and snow removal. The city publishes a Rental Unit Lease Disclosure form landlords may use. Landlords must also give written notice of the right to legal representation and how to get it along with any notice to quit or demand for compliance or possession, or a Section 8 termination notice.; Rental licensing & inspection: Every long-term rental (30 days or more) in Boulder needs a city rental license, including rented accessory dwelling units. Exemptions include an owner-occupied unit renting to no more than two unrelated people, and some temporary rentals of an owner's principal residence (up to 12 consecutive months in any 24). A new license, a lapsed license or a change of ownership requires a safety inspection by a city-licensed private inspector (life safety, plumbing, mechanical and electrical, and fire safety) and SmartRegs energy-efficiency certification. Multi-unit buildings need an outdoor lighting certification for a four-year license. The license fee is $190. Owners living outside Boulder County must name a local agent who can reach the property within 60 minutes. A license term can be cut to 24 months for Housing Code violations or 12 months for land use violations. The city says finding an unlicensed rental will lead to legal action.; Security deposit interest: In Boulder the tenant owns the security deposit, and the landlord must pay simple interest on it at the end of the lease, within one month (or up to 60 days if the lease says so). The rate is set each year by the city manager from the average one-year CD rate at three Boulder banks, calculated December 15. Interest may be withheld only for the same reasons as the deposit. If interest is wrongly kept, the tenant may recover three times the amount or $100, whichever is more, plus attorney's fees and costs, after giving the landlord 7 days' written notice.
← All Colorado landlord-tenant rules
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.