Legislation to Expand Housing Protections for Vulnerable Coloradans Passes Senate

HB25-1240 would bolster legal protections for Coloradans who use housing vouchers

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed legislation that would bolster housing protections for Coloradans who receive support through housing vouchers and other housing subsidies.

HB25-1240, sponsored by Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, and Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, would ensure that tenants who use housing subsidies are afforded the same protections as other renters. 

“Eviction prevention is one of the most effective tools for maintaining housing stability and preventing homelessness,” said Winter. “Tenants who receive housing assistance - often seniors, veterans, young families, and people with disabilities - are particularly vulnerable to housing insecurity and they should be guaranteed the commonsense protections in this bill to prevent eviction and expand access to safe, stable housing.” 

“This bill is personal for me – I was raised by a single mom and my family lost our home in the Great Recession,” said Wallace. “I know what it’s like to experience housing instability and to need a little help to make ends meet. Coloradans who use housing vouchers should have the same protections as every other renter. This bill would help keep working families in their homes and prevent eviction.”

The bill would require a landlord who owns four or more units to comply with the 30-day eviction notice requirement under the federal CARES Act, safeguarding protections for Colorado renters even if this federal protection is repealed. The bill would also require landlords to respond to a tenant’s request for information needed for a rental assistance application and to cooperate with rental assistance administrators. Additionally, it would strengthen enforcement of measures to prevent discrimination against tenants who use housing assistance. 

Current law requires landlords to reimburse tenants for the difference between rent that they have paid and the fair rental value when the landlord has violated warranty of habitability laws. This bill would ensure that tenants who receive housing subsidies are also entitled to these reimbursements. 

HB25-1240 would also direct the Division of Housing to compile and publish a list of resources for landlords, including information to help determine if a landlord’s property is covered under the bill and financial resources available to them.

HB25-1240 now heads back to the House for consideration of amendments. Track its progress HERE.