Local Government & Housing Committee Approves Fields & Winter Bill Securing Eviction Protections
Legislation would require tenant-landlord mediation in certain eviction proceedings
DENVER, CO – Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Faith Winter’s, D-Westminster, bill to require mediation in eviction proceedings for tenants qualifying for certain financial assistance cleared the Senate Local Government and Housing Committee today.
HB23-1120 would require tenant-landlord mediation prior to eviction proceedings if a tenant receives supplemental security income, federal social security disability insurance, or financial assistance from the Colorado Works program, at no cost to the tenant. The bill would require lease agreements to contain a notice that qualified individuals are entitled to mediation, and does not allow an agreement to waive mandatory mediation.
“As rents skyrocket, so do evictions,” Fields said. “Too often, Coloradans are forced to choose between feeding their families and paying rent. When it comes down to it, these difficult choices result in more evictions and more displacement. This important bill will help facilitate honest, productive conversations between tenants and landlords, and ultimately keep more Coloradans housed.”
“Colorado’s eviction rates have recently risen to pre-pandemic levels,” said Winter. “We must do more to keep Coloradans in safe, stable housing. Combined with many other pro-tenant bills I’m sponsoring this year, HB 1120 will help balance the scales between tenants and landlords, ensuring Coloradans are given a fair shake when navigating difficult housing circumstances.”
If mediation fails and a tenant covered under the bill is evicted, they would be protected from being removed from the property by law enforcement officers for at least 30 days after the eviction judgment, except in cases of substantial violation or if the landlord has less than five single family rental homes and less than five total rental units.
This March, 1,195 tenants faced eviction in court in Denver, a 69 percent increase from 708 in March of 2019.
HB23-1120 now moves to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.