Legislation to Ensure Safe Housing and Strengthen Renter Protections Clears Committee
SB25-020 aims to ensure compliance with landlord-tenant laws and uphold housing standards statewide
DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, to ensure safe housing and strengthen renter protections by expanding the Attorney General’s and local governments’ authority to initiate and enforce landlord-tenant laws.
SB25-020 would allow the Colorado Attorney General to seek any penalties or use any enforcement mechanisms available under landlord-tenant laws to enforce housing protections for victims of unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, or domestic violence, documentation requirements for housing agreements, and protections regarding bed bugs in residential homes. The bill would give counties and municipalities the ability to initiate and enforce these same landlord-tenant laws in addition to existing provisions the Attorney General may already enforce.
“In recent years, we have worked hard to strengthen renters’ protections and level the playing field between tenants and landlords,” Gonzales said. “When apartment buildings fall into disrepair because of neglect and mismanagement, it throws tenants’ lives into chaos, jeopardizes safe living conditions, and disrupts their ability to simply get through their day. This bill empowers local governments and the Attorney General to enforce the laws we already have on the books by holding neglectful management companies who have a pattern and practice of disregarding our safe housing laws to account, with the goal of ensuring that all Coloradans can live in safe and healthy housing.”
“For too long, bad actors in property management have ignored tenant complaints, neglected basic repairs, and left communities in crisis. This must end,” said Weissman. “Recent events in Aurora and Denver highlight the urgent need for stronger tools to protect renters. Violations of our state’s safe housing laws cannot be ignored – especially in a housing crisis where every rental unit matters. SB20 is narrowly focused on tackling cases of chronic neglect where tenants have been left without options for far too long.”
SB25-020 would also establish a process where, only in severe cases, residential housing may be placed into receivership – a legal process where a court appoints a caretaker to oversee a neglected property to temporarily manage operations, make necessary repairs, and repay debts. The bill outlines the process for receivership cases, including proper notice to parties, powers and responsibilities for entities appointed as receivers, and the process for ending receiverships.
SB25-020 now moves to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.