Bill to Expand Access to Low-Income Housing Passes Senate

HB25-1236 would protect renters who use housing subsidies

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senators Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, and Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, to expand access to housing for Colorado renters using housing subsidies. 

“This bill is just another step to making Colorado a more affordable, accessible, and equitable place to live and rent,” Jodeh said. “It’s part of our commitment to supporting women, people of color, and low-income Coloradans who have a weak or nonexistent credit history as they secure safe housing for themselves and their families.”

“Renters who are already struggling should not be forced to reveal irrelevant information to potential landlords and blow their budgets on application fees before they’re even approved,” Weissman said. “This legislation would make safe and stable housing for low-income renters more accessible and affordable by protecting their personal information and limiting duplicative fees.”

HB25-1236 specifies that a prospective renter who receives a housing subsidy cannot be required to include a credit history report, a credit score, or an adverse credit event in their tenant screening reports.

The bill would also remove a requirement that screening reports be given directly to landlords from reporting agencies, since reporting agencies are often unable to do so.

Colorado Democrats passed a law in 2023 that allows prospective renters to reuse a rental application for up to 30 days without paying additional fees. Additionally, the law reduced the number of times a credit score is pulled, protecting a potential renter’s credit score from being continuously damaged from credit score inquiries.

HB25-1236 now moves back to the House for consideration of amendments. Track its progress HERE.