Colorado Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
Colorado rules on rent increases & late fees for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: Local rent control is preempted. No county or municipality may enact an ordinance or resolution controlling rent on private residential property, except voluntary agreements or deed restrictions with a permit applicant or owner for affordable housing. C.R.S. § 38-12-301
The rules in Colorado
| Rent control / increase limits | Local rent control is preempted. No county or municipality may enact an ordinance or resolution controlling rent on private residential property, except voluntary agreements or deed restrictions with a permit applicant or owner for affordable housing. There is no statewide rent cap. Source: C.R.S. § 38-12-301 |
|---|---|
| Late fees | No late fee until rent is at least 7 calendar days late. The fee may not exceed the greater of $50 or 5% of the past-due rent, and it must be disclosed in the lease. The landlord may not evict for unpaid late fees, charge interest on late fees, or take late fees out of rent payments. Late-fee notice must be given within 180 days. Added by SB 21-173, effective October 1, 2021. Penalty is $50 per violation. If the landlord does not cure within 7 days of notice, the tenant may recover $150 to $1,000 per violation plus damages and attorney fees. Source: C.R.S. § 38-12-105 |
Free calculators
- Late Fee Checker — Check a late fee against your state's cap and grace period.
- Rent Increase Calculator — In states with a statewide rent cap, see the most your rent can go up this year.
Related questions
- Can a landlord raise the rent in the middle of a lease?
- How much can a landlord charge for a late fee?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent?
- Can a landlord evict you for no reason?
Colorado vs. neighboring states
| State | Rent control / increase limits | Late fees |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Local rent control is preempted. No county or municipality may enact an ordinance or resolution controlling rent on private residential property, except voluntary agreements or deed restrictions with a permit applicant or owner for affordable housing. There is no statewide rent cap. C.R.S. § 38-12-301 | No late fee until rent is at least 7 calendar days late. The fee may not exceed the greater of $50 or 5% of the past-due rent, and it must be disclosed in the lease. The landlord may not evict for unpaid late fees, charge interest on late fees, or take late fees out of rent payments. Late-fee notice must be given within 180 days. C.R.S. § 38-12-105 |
| Arizona | Local rent control is preempted. Cities, including charter cities, and towns have no power to control rents on private residential property. There is no statewide rent cap. A.R.S. § 33-1329 | No statutory cap or grace period. The fee must be reasonable and set out in a written rental agreement. A.R.S. § 33-1368(B) |
| Kansas | Preempted: no county, city, township or other political subdivision may enact, maintain or enforce rent control on privately owned residential or commercial property (voluntary incentive agreements excepted). K.S.A. 12-16,120 | No statutory cap or grace period. K.S.A. 58-2540 et seq. (no late-fee provision) |
| Nebraska | Preempted statewide: cities, villages, counties and their subdivisions may not enact or enforce local laws controlling rent on private property, including home-rule cities; conflicting local laws are void. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-331 (Laws 2025, LB266) | No statutory cap Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1414 |
| New Mexico | Statewide preemption: no political subdivision or home-rule municipality may enact rent control on privately owned real property. NMSA 1978, § 47-8A-1 | Only if the rental agreement provides for one; max 5% of the rent for each rental period in default, calculated on rent only (not deposits, fees, or utilities). Owner must give notice of the late fee no later than the last day of the next rental period. NMSA 1978, § 47-8-15(D) |
| Oklahoma | No statewide rent cap. Cities are prohibited from enacting, maintaining or enforcing ordinances that set rent on privately owned residential (or commercial) property. 11 O.S. § 14-101.1 | No statutory cap or grace period. No late-fee section in 41 O.S. §§ 101-136 (full text checked) |
| Utah | Local rent control prohibited: a county, city, or town may not enact an ordinance or resolution controlling rents or fees on private residential property without express approval of the Legislature. No statewide cap. Utah Code 57-20-1 | Late fee may not exceed the greater of 10% of the rent agreed in the rental agreement or $75. Utah Code 57-22-4(5)(a) |
| Wyoming | No state rent control law. No enacted statewide preemption statute was located. W.S. 1-21-1201 to 1-21-1211 (no rent-regulation provision) | No statutory cap W.S. 1-21-1201 to 1-21-1211 (no late-fee provision) |
City rules that may add to state law
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- Free legal help in Colorado
Compare rent increases & late fees in all 50 states and DC →
Colorado Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws FAQ
Is there rent control or a limit on rent increases in Colorado?
Local rent control is preempted. No county or municipality may enact an ordinance or resolution controlling rent on private residential property, except voluntary agreements or deed restrictions with a permit applicant or owner for affordable housing. There is no statewide rent cap. (C.R.S. § 38-12-301)
Is there a limit on late fees in Colorado?
No late fee until rent is at least 7 calendar days late. The fee may not exceed the greater of $50 or 5% of the past-due rent, and it must be disclosed in the lease. The landlord may not evict for unpaid late fees, charge interest on late fees, or take late fees out of rent payments. Late-fee notice must be given within 180 days. (C.R.S. § 38-12-105)
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.