General info, not legal advice. Details

Colorado Security deposit limit

Last reviewed 2026-11-12

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Colorado?

Under C.R.S. § 38-12-102.5(1), except as described in subsection (2), a landlord shall not require a tenant to submit a security deposit in an amount that exceeds the amount of two monthly rent payments under the rental agreement. On and after January 1, 2027, subsection (1) does not apply if the landlord and tenant have executed a post-closing occupancy agreement pursuant to a purchase contract whereby the landlord purchased the residence from the tenant. The official 2026 compilation source note states the section was added by L. 2023 (SB 23-184), ch. 402, effective August 7, and the entire section was amended by L. 2026 (SB 26-054), ch. 61, p. 251, § 1, effective August 12, 2026. Example: beginning January 1, 2027, a seller who stays in the home under a post-closing occupancy agreement after selling the residence to the landlord is outside the two-month cap in subsection (1).

Verified Source: C.R.S. § 38-12-102.5 · last checked 2026-11-12

Related Colorado rules

Deposit return deadline

Within 30 days after the lease ends or the premises are surrendered, whichever is later (a lease may extend this to no more than 60 days). Include a written statement of the exact reasons for anything kept.

Verified Source: C.R.S. § 38-12-103(1) · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Colorado deposit return deadline page

Interest on deposits

No state statute requires landlords to pay interest on security deposits; C.R.S. title 38, art. 12, part 1 was reviewed by full-text search.

Verified Source: C.R.S. §§ 38-12-101 to -106 · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Colorado interest on deposits page

Move-in/move-out checklist

No state statute requires a move-in inspection or checklist (full-text search of C.R.S. title 38, art. 12; Full-text search by that search). The deposit return rules in § 38-12-103 still apply.

Verified Source: C.R.S. title 38, art. 12; § 38-12-103 · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Colorado move-in/move-out checklist page

Same topic in neighboring states

All Colorado landlord-tenant law · Colorado landlord FAQ · Deposit return deadline · Notice to enter · Required lease disclosures · Required disclosures (mold, lead, radon, bedbug, asbestos, flood zone) · Move-in checklist

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