While the threat of eviction and rising rental costs loom large for numerous Coloradans, the combined efforts of legislators, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations offer hope for a more secure housing landscape in Colorado.
The Denver County court’s latest data from 2023 shows that nearly 13,000 Colorado households faced eviction last year, a new record.
According to a Colorado House Democrats release last month, evictions threaten the health and safety of Coloradans, with research showing that individuals who experience an eviction are more likely to report poorer physical or mental health outcomes.
The Colorado General Assembly took their shot to address an element of the problem with the “For Cause Eviction” bill, which passed both chambers on March 28 and is headed to Gov. Jared Polis for his signature. The bill, HB24-1098, bars landlords from evicting tenants unless they have sufficient cause.
The bill’s sponsors cheered its passage.
“1098 clearly defines in state law when and why landlords can evict tenants,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, in a statement. “This law creates stability for landlords and renters because it does not prevent landlords from evicting tenants who have violated their lease or are behind on their rent, or where a landlord is getting out of the business.”
Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, who had shared her personal eviction story during House debate, also praised the bill’s passage.
“Unnecessary and arbitrary evictions have devastating consequences for Coloradans, which is why we passed legislation to clearly outline reasons landlords can file for an eviction,” Duran said in a statement. “Evictions make renters more vulnerable to homelessness, and having an eviction on your record can make it nearly impossible to find housing. I’m excited that our legislation to prevent Coloradans from being displaced is one step closer to becoming law so hardworking Coloradans can remain safely housed.”
If Polis signs the “For Cause Eviction” bill, landlords will face several new parameters before putting an eviction in motion without cause.
Current Colorado law allows landlords to decide whether or not to offer a lease renewal each year, which is called a “no-fault eviction.” HB1098 would limit that ability to when the property is sold, substantial repairs or renovations are being made, or if the landlord plans to live at the property.
If a landlord fails to provide a cause, tenants have legal grounds to fight the eviction. While the bill’s passing would likely grant a significant number of renters lease extensions, landlords are still free to raise the rent at their discretion.
Financial help for renters
The rising cost of rent can also push renters out of their homes. Colorado’s Department of Local Affairs recently launched a Temporary Rental Assistance Grant Initiative that will provide $30 million in temporary rental assistance to folks facing eviction or housing insecurity.
Pre-applications open on the 15th of each month and close on the 20th. DOLA then selects qualifying individuals to complete a full application. The limit per household is $10,000 in assistance and it is not recurring.
Applicants at risk of eviction are prioritized. The $30 million in funds must be spent by June 30. Applicants are not required to disclose their immigration status, and Spanish-speaking staff is available.
People who have already received rental assistance within the past year are not eligible for the program; for those who need more, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program is available, but only if they have already received a court summons.
“If people have questions on whether they qualify, we urge them to visit our care center,” said Chynna Cowart, DOLA press secretary. “We provide applications in Spanish and English and are here to help anyone facing housing insecurity or eviction. Even if you don’t qualify we can point you in the right direction to other resources. We want to consider the needs of all constituents.”
DOLA also provides assistance on landlord-tenant mediation services. While not all evictions can be avoided, Cowart explained that they do everything in their power to help keep an eviction off people’s records.
Adams County resources
Another resource for folks living in Adams County is Brothers Redevelopment Inc. The nonprofit offers tenant-landlord mediation services, housing counseling and more.
“In a nutshell, we’re basically a huge resource center,” said J Simms, a spokesman for Colorado Housing Connects, the statewide housing helpline for the nonprofit. “We provide rental assistance programs both inside and outside of Denver county. We help set people up with affordable housing, fix tenant-landlord issues, and educate renters on their rights. Things like Warranty of Habitability, tenant and landlord responsibilities and tenant protection laws.”
They also help with providing electronic links that can be used to file complaints such as mold and other safety or health hazards tenants might be facing, and walk folks through the process of filing.
“A lot of these things would take forever to figure out by Googling and trying to figure it out on your own, so we make it accessible and free to anyone who needs it,” he said.
For folks with children, a resource specifically catered to families is Growing Home. They offer a food pantry, parenting education classes and financial literacy classes.
This article has been updated to report on the passage of HB1098.