General info, not legal advice. Details

Colorado Deposit return deadline

Last reviewed 2026-10-23

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Colorado?

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

How this works in Colorado

Colorado gives you 30 days after the lease ends or the premises are surrendered, whichever is later, to return the full security deposit. A lease may extend this period to no more than 60 days. Include a written statement of the exact reasons for anything kept.

Worked example for Colorado

Example: A tenant's lease ends and the premises are surrendered on April 30, 2026, and the lease does not set a longer refund period. The deposit is due within 30 days, by May 30, 2026, with a written statement of the exact reasons for anything kept. If the lease had set a 60-day period, the deadline would be June 29, 2026.

Colorado timelines and limits

Default deadlineWithin 30 days after the lease ends or the premises are surrendered, whichever is later
If the lease sets a longer periodNo more than 60 days
If you keep any of the depositInclude a written statement of the exact reasons for anything kept

Colorado FAQ

How long does a Colorado landlord have to return a deposit?

Within 30 days after the lease ends or the premises are surrendered, whichever is later, under C.R.S. § 38-12-103(1).

Can the lease give me more than 30 days?

Yes. A lease may extend this period to no more than 60 days.

What if I keep part of the deposit?

Include a written statement of the exact reasons for anything kept.

Sources for this section: C.R.S. § 38-12-103(1) (checked 2026-10-23)

This is general information, not legal advice. The verified rule and official sources above control. Check the source or a local attorney for your situation.

Related Colorado rules

Security deposit limit

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 · Full Colorado security deposit limit 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

Abandoned property

Property held under a statutory lien, including a landlord's lien on a tenant's personal property, is presumed abandoned when the owner has not contacted the lienholder for at least 30 days. At least 15 days before selling or disposing of it, the lienholder must mail notice to the owner's last known address by registered or certified mail.

Verified Source: C.R.S. 38-20-102, 38-20-116 · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Colorado abandoned property page

Same topic in neighboring states

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

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