Colorado Lease Termination Letter (Ending a Lease Early)

A free Colorado lease termination letter (ending a lease early) that follows Colorado law. Fill in the boxes, check the rules below, then print or copy it. Keep a copy and proof of how you sent it.

What Colorado law says

Ending a lease: military, medical, death	Tenant death: if a lease ends early because a tenant dies, lease clauses requiring any of the following are void: liquidated damages; acceleration of rent past the later of the end of the month or 10 business days after the unit is vacated following notice of the death; repayment of concessions or move-in discounts; or any other early-termination fee or penalty. The landlord may retake possession without court order if the estate's personal representative surrenders the unit, or if 30 days after the death rent is unpaid or substantially all property has been removed. The landlord may keep deposit funds for damage caused by the death. No Colorado statute was found giving tenants a state-law right to end a lease early for military service (beyond the federal SCRA), medical or disability reasons, or a move to senior or assisted care. Source: C.R.S. § 38-12-801(3.5) (added by HB 25-1108, "Letty's Act")
Ending a lease: domestic violence	A tenant who is a victim-survivor of domestic violence, domestic abuse, stalking, or unlawful sexual behavior may end the lease and move out because of fear of imminent danger to themselves or their children. The tenant, or a qualified third party, notifies the landlord in writing and provides at least one of: a self-attestation affidavit; a letter from a qualified third party such as an advocate, attorney, social worker, medical or mental health provider, or faith leader; a police report from the prior 120 days; or a valid protection or restraining order. Nothing more may be required. If documentation is missing, the tenant must provide it within 7 days of the landlord's written request. The tenant owes at most one month's rent, and only if the landlord gives the tenant a written statement of actual economic damages within 30 days after move-out. Missing that deadline forfeits the claim. Nothing is owed if another tenant stays on the lease. The tenant cannot be charged for damage caused by the abuse. Landlords must keep the tenant's status and new address confidential, may not ask applicants about it, and must allow lock changes and other reasonable safety measures. Violations: actual damages plus the greater of 3 months' rent or $5,000, plus attorney fees. Source: C.R.S. §§ 38-12-401, 38-12-402 (as amended by HB 25-1168); § 38-12-103(1)

Ending a lease: military, medical, death

Tenant death: if a lease ends early because a tenant dies, lease clauses requiring any of the following are void: liquidated damages; acceleration of rent past the later of the end of the month or 10 business days after the unit is vacated following notice of the death; repayment of concessions or move-in discounts; or any other early-termination fee or penalty. The landlord may retake possession without court order if the estate's personal representative surrenders the unit, or if 30 days after the death rent is unpaid or substantially all property has been removed. The landlord may keep deposit funds for damage caused by the death. No Colorado statute was found giving tenants a state-law right to end a lease early for military service (beyond the federal SCRA), medical or disability reasons, or a move to senior or assisted care.

Source: C.R.S. § 38-12-801(3.5) (added by HB 25-1108, "Letty's Act")

Ending a lease: domestic violence

A tenant who is a victim-survivor of domestic violence, domestic abuse, stalking, or unlawful sexual behavior may end the lease and move out because of fear of imminent danger to themselves or their children. The tenant, or a qualified third party, notifies the landlord in writing and provides at least one of: a self-attestation affidavit; a letter from a qualified third party such as an advocate, attorney, social worker, medical or mental health provider, or faith leader; a police report from the prior 120 days; or a valid protection or restraining order. Nothing more may be required. If documentation is missing, the tenant must provide it within 7 days of the landlord's written request. The tenant owes at most one month's rent, and only if the landlord gives the tenant a written statement of actual economic damages within 30 days after move-out. Missing that deadline forfeits the claim. Nothing is owed if another tenant stays on the lease. The tenant cannot be charged for damage caused by the abuse. Landlords must keep the tenant's status and new address confidential, may not ask applicants about it, and must allow lock changes and other reasonable safety measures. Violations: actual damages plus the greater of 3 months' rent or $5,000, plus attorney fees.

Source: C.R.S. §§ 38-12-401, 38-12-402 (as amended by HB 25-1168); § 38-12-103(1)

Fill in your letter

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To: [landlord or manager name], [landlord address]

From: [your name], tenant at [rental address]

I am ending my lease early under C.R.S. § 38-12-801(3.5) (added by HB 25-1108, "Letty's Act") for this reason: [the reason the law allows, e.g. active military orders].

I have attached [the documents the law requires, e.g. a copy of the orders].

My termination date is [termination date], and I will return the keys by [key return date].

Please return my security deposit, less only lawful deductions, to [forwarding address].

Date: [today's date]
Tenant: [your name]
Signature: ____________________

How to send it: use a method you can prove — certified mail with return receipt, or email/text if your lease allows notices that way. Write down the date.

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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.