What is the Colorado security deposit return deadline?
30 days (up to 60 if specified in lease) (30-60 days).
Colorado Security Deposit Laws (2026)
Key rules for deadlines, penalties, and documentation requirements, with direct links to the official statute.
Reviewed: 2026-08-11
How sources are checked →Quick answer for Colorado renters
In Colorado, landlords generally must return the deposit or send a lawful itemized statement within 30-60 days. The cited source describes a potential remedy of 3x wrongfully withheld after 7-day notice; eligibility depends on the statutory triggers, exceptions, and disputed facts.
Deadline
30-60 days
30 days (up to 60 if specified in lease)
Potential remedy
3x wrongfully withheld after 7-day notice
Treble the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees and court costs, if the landlord does not return it within seven days after the required demand and notice of intent to sue
What matters most in Colorado
Start with the timing rule, required records, useful proof, and the next practical step.
What controls the period
The period generally runs from move-out and return of possession, subject to the statute's stated conditions and exceptions.
What the landlord had to send
If the landlord keeps part of the deposit, check whether the applicable rule requires a timely written itemization explaining the deductions.
What proof matters most
This state gives tenants meaningful inspection or walkthrough rights. Use them to pin down condition disputes early.
What to do today
First confirm the Colorado deadline, then preserve photos, itemization, and all written communications.
Explore the issue in more detail
Use these guides to check deadlines, records, deductions, and letter structure against your facts.
How to get your security deposit back
Organize the deadline, deductions, records, written request, and follow-up.
Landlord didn't return your deposit
Check what to document and request after the usual return period.
Do landlords have to provide receipts?
Review missing receipts, estimates, invoices, and repair-cost records.
How to write a demand letter
Review the parts of a clear, factual letter before editing the state template.
State-specific checks
Move-in checklistNo statewide requirement listed
Move-out inspectionTenant right/procedure
Mailing ruleNo statewide rule listed
Forwarding addressNo statewide consequence listed
Important details
- The 2-month deposit cap comes from SB 23-184, effective August 7, 2023
- The additional pet-deposit cap comes from HB 23-1068, effective January 1, 2024
- For conduct on or after January 1, 2026, a tenant may request a reasonable, practicable walkthrough before lease termination or surrender after having an opportunity to remove furniture
- On written request, the landlord has 14 days to provide relevant photographs, inspection records, receipts, invoices, or estimates in the landlord's possession or control
- A landlord cannot charge for preexisting conditions; the statute also limits whole-unit carpet replacement and painting deductions and treats carpet at least 10 years old as outside its substantial-and-irreparable-damage standard
- A retained amount at least 125% of actual damages is presumed unreasonable, although a court may find a smaller overcharge unreasonable
- A 7-day demand and notice of intent to sue is required before filing for treble damages, and the landlord must fail to return the disputed amount during that period
- If the lease specifies more than 60 days, that term is void and the 30-day period applies
- If a mailed refund is returned, the landlord must hold it for at least one year and disburse it within 15 days after the tenant requests it
Citations
Open each cited section for the rule, official source, and context used in this guide.
Deposit return deadline
C.R.S. § 38-12-103(1) - The deposit balance and exact-reasons statement are generally due within 30 days after the later of lease termination or surrender and acceptance, unless the lease sets a period no longer than 60 days
Read section detailsOfficial sectionItemized deductions
C.R.S. § 38-12-103(1), (8) - A landlord retaining deposit funds must give an exact-reasons statement and, within 14 days after a tenant's written request, relevant documentation in the landlord's possession or control
Read section detailsOfficial sectionNormal wear and tear
C.R.S. §§ 38-12-102(4), 38-12-103(1) - Deposit funds cannot be retained for normal wear and tear or a condition that predated the tenancy
Read section detailsOfficial sectionForfeiture rules
C.R.S. § 38-12-103(2), (2.5) - Noncompliance or other wrongful withholding forfeits the right to retain deposit funds
Read section detailsOfficial sectionPotential remedies
C.R.S. § 38-12-103(2.5), (3), (3.5) - The statute defines wrongful and bad-faith withholding, places proof burdens on the landlord, and provides a conditional treble remedy after the required notice
Read section detailsOfficial sectionPre-suit notice
C.R.S. § 38-12-103(3) - A treble-damages action requires a demand for return and notice of intent to sue at least seven days before filing, followed by nonreturn within that period
Read section detailsOfficial sectionDeposit limits
SB 23-184 - Security deposit capped at 2 months' rent (effective Aug. 7, 2023)
Read section detailsOfficial sectionPet deposit limit
HB 23-1068 - Additional pet deposit capped at $300, subject to exceptions (effective Jan. 1, 2024)
Read section detailsOfficial sectionMove-out inspection
C.R.S. § 38-12-103(1.5) - On a landlord's or tenant's request, the parties must conduct a walkthrough if reasonable and practicable; a tenant-requested walkthrough must be mutually convenient and occur before termination or surrender after furniture can be removed
Read section detailsOfficial sectionReturned refund payment
C.R.S. § 38-12-103(9) - A returned refund payment must be held for at least one year and disbursed within 15 days after the tenant requests it
Read section detailsOfficial sectionCarpet and paint deductions
C.R.S. § 38-12-103(11) - Whole-unit carpet replacement and painting deductions require the specified substantial damage; carpet not replaced within the prior 10 years cannot be deemed substantially and irreparably damaged
Read section detailsOfficial section
Check the current official text before relying on a citation.
Common Colorado dispute scenarios
Choose a scenario to review state-specific facts, source links, and self-help options.
Landlord missed the deposit deadline
Use this checklist when the dates you entered suggest that the usual return period may have passed.
No itemized deduction statement
Use this checklist when money was withheld and you did not receive an itemized statement.
Missing receipts or invoices
Check listed deductions when the landlord did not provide receipts, invoices, estimates, or labor details for the charges.
Charged for normal wear and tear
Review deductions involving routine aging, ordinary use, old-item replacement, repairability, or betterment.
Facts relevant to a bad-faith review
Use this checklist to organize facts that may be relevant to a bad-faith inquiry without deciding intent.
Before sending a state-specific demand letter
Organize the timeline, disputed amounts, records, and source links for a written request.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common Colorado security deposit questions.
What penalties can apply in Colorado?
Treble the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees and court costs, if the landlord does not return it within seven days after the required demand and notice of intent to sue. See C.R.S. § 38-12-103.
What is the small claims limit in Colorado?
County Court, Small Claims Division: Up to $7,500. Filing fees: Check current court fee schedule. Verify the court and current limit before filing.
Next steps
Calculate your dates, review deductions, use the free state template, or create a personalized letter when your records are ready.