How Can I Evict My Tenant in Colorado?

Use these links to jump to different sections:

• Terminating the Lease Agreement
• Eviction Notice Requirements
• Next Steps in the Colorado Eviction Process

If you’ve put your hard work and hard-earned paychecks into a rental property that you’ve rented out to a tenant, and they’ve trashed the place, what can you do? In the state of Colorado, a landlord can evict a renter for:

• Nonpayment of rent
• A lease violation
• Engaging in illegal activity or violence against another tenant

Terminating the Lease Agreement

To evict a tenant in Colorado, landlords must terminate the lease agreement in compliance with the state’s Forcible Entry and Detainer law by giving the tenant written notice explaining the reason for termination. This law is more of a preventative measure as it prevents landlords from taking matters into their own hands and forcing a tenant off the property.

There are also prohibited reasons for evicting a tenant in Colorado, and landlords should avoid each of these:

• A landlord may not evict in retaliation for complaints filed by the tenant about the condition of the property
• You cannot discriminate against a tenant based on race, color, familial status, disability, religion, sex, or national origin
• You cannot evict someone because they have a service or therapy animal, even if animals are prohibited in the lease

Eviction Notice Requirements

Notice periods depend on the reason for lease termination. If the reason is nonpayment of rent, for example, landlords must give a 10-day notice. If the tenant fails to pay the rent owed within the 10-day period, the landlord can file an eviction action. The same amount of time applies if the reason for termination is that the tenant violated the terms of the lease. After the waiting period, a landlord may file with the courts to begin removal proceedings and get the tenant to vacate the premises.

Next Steps in the Colorado Eviction Process

Most eviction case hearings will occur within a couple of weeks of the initial filing, absent any appeals or continuances. You can then plan on at least another 48 hours to receive a writ of restitution, which essentially forces the former tenant out under the supervision of local law enforcement or sheriff’s office.

For legal advice on eviction lawsuits, reach out to an experienced and reputable attorney. For more general information, read our overview of landlord-tenant law.