We continue to monitor several proposed housing bills during the 2026 legislative session for Colorado landlords, rental property owners, and real estate investors.
Many of the proposed bills this year focused on eviction procedures, tenant protections, utility billing regulations, screening requirements, and housing provider compliance obligations.
The Colorado Housing Coalition (CHC), a Colorado housing advocacy organization, has been actively monitoring legislation impacting the rental housing industry throughout the state.
At Colorado Realty & Property Management, Inc., we closely follow legislative developments affecting Colorado landlords, property owners, and real estate investors so we can continue educating and supporting our clients through industry changes.
Several team members at Colorado Realty & Property Management, Inc. actively participate in housing industry organizations, including the Colorado Housing Coalition (CHC). We are proud to recognize Samantha Santee, Manager of Accounting, Ryan Bower, Maintenance Coordinator, and Billy Early, General Manager, for their continued involvement in advocacy efforts and legislative discussions affecting Colorado property owners, real estate investors, landlords, and housing providers.
Below is a summary of several major housing-related bills and industry updates shared throughout the 2026 Colorado legislative session.
HB26-1106 Eviction Protections for Tenants
Status: Killed in Committee
HB26-1106 proposed several significant changes to Colorado’s eviction process, including:
- Limiting the number of eviction cases courts could hear each day
- Expanding circumstances for reopening eviction cases
- Removing tenant appeals bond requirements
- Adding mandatory delays before writ execution
- Creating expanded weather restrictions for physical evictions
According to updates shared by CHC, the organization opposed the bill due to concerns surrounding eviction delays, increased operational burdens, court backlog issues, and financial strain on housing providers.
Industry advocacy efforts surrounding the bill included:
- Meetings with bill sponsors and stakeholders
- Redline recommendations
- Committee testimony opposing the legislation
Final Outcome:
HB26-1106 was killed in committee on March 24, 2026.
Link to Bill: https://leg.colorado.gov/
Why This Matters for Colorado Property Owners
For landlords and rental housing providers, extended eviction timelines can create significant operational and financial challenges, particularly for smaller housing providers managing limited portfolios.
HB26-1196 Tenant Data Information
Status: Amended
As originally introduced, HB26-1196 proposed mandatory positive credit reporting requirements for housing providers managing five or more units.
Industry concerns raised by CHC included:
- Compliance costs for smaller housing providers
- Administrative burdens for self-managing landlords
- Reporting limitations involving certain taxpayer identification numbers
- Lack of safe harbor protections for reporting errors
Following testimony and continued legislative discussions, the bill was heavily amended.
The revised version removed the mandatory credit reporting provisions and now primarily focuses on:
- Disclosure of rental application criteria
- Handling of personal information during eviction filings
Link to Bill: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1196?blm_aid=92161
Why This Matters for Colorado Landlords
Housing providers should review their rental application and screening processes to ensure application criteria are clearly disclosed prior to collecting applicant information.
HB26-1284 Requirements for Tenant Utility Billing
Status: Under Review
HB26-1284 addresses utility billing regulations for residential rental properties.
The proposal includes:
- Water submeter requirements for new residential properties beginning January 1, 2027
- Utility billing allocation guidelines
- Potential damages and attorney fee recovery in utility disputes
According to legislative updates shared by CHC, advocacy efforts focused on proposed amendments involving:
- The mandatory 10% utility reduction requirement
- Prevailing-party provisions during utility disputes
Link to Bill: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1196?blm_aid=92161
Why This Matters for Property Managers and Investors
Utility billing compliance continues to become a larger operational concern for multifamily housing providers and investment properties throughout Colorado.
HB26-1045 Disabilities Housing Protection
Status: Passed House
HB26-1045 addresses emotional support animals (ESAs) and assistance animals within Colorado housing law.
The bill:
- Defines assistance and emotional support animals under Colorado law
- Presumes housing accommodations for ESAs and assistance animals are reasonable accommodations
- Limits blanket housing prohibitions involving these animals
CHC initially sought amendments intended to preserve documentation review standards and align portions of the bill with previous HUD guidance.
Several requested amendments were accepted during the legislative process.
Link to Bill: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1045?blm_aid=92161
HB26-1047 Protections for Residential Tenants
Status: Killed in Committee
HB26-1047 proposed several changes involving eviction notices, documentation requirements, and eviction record suppression.
The bill included:
- Expanded filing documentation requirements
- Mandatory lease and ledger inclusion with notices
- Restrictions involving eviction record visibility
- Non-digital payment option requirements
According to CHC legislative updates, the organization opposed the proposal due to concerns surrounding resident screening limitations and increased operational burdens for housing providers.
Final Outcome:
The bill was killed in committee following committee testimony and industry opposition efforts.
Link to Bill: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1047?blm_aid=92161
HB26-1013 Ratio Utility Billing Systems (RUBS)
Status: Passed
HB26-1013 clarified that ratio utility billing systems (RUBS) are permitted under Colorado law under certain conditions.
The legislation requires:
- Utility billing allocations not exceed total utility provider charges
- No unlawful markup
- Exclusion of common-area utilities
- Clear disclosure of allocation methods
An amendment also added future utility metering requirements for new residential properties beginning July 1, 2027.
According to updates shared through CHC, the organization supported the bill as a clarification of existing utility billing practices commonly used within the rental housing industry.
Link to Bill: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1013?blm_aid=92161
HB26-1036 Local Taxes on Vacant Residential Property
Status: Killed in Committee
HB26-1036 proposed allowing local governments to impose taxes on vacant residential properties after voter approval.
Industry concerns surrounding the proposal included:
- Expanded local taxation authority
- Broad definitions of vacant property
- Potential impacts on properties under renovation or listed for rent
- Long-term precedent involving government taxation powers
CHC opposed the bill and participated in legislative discussions and testimony efforts throughout the session.
Final Outcome:
The bill was killed in committee.
Link to Bill: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1036?blm_aid=92161
Colorado Rental Housing Industry Updates
As Colorado landlord legislation continues evolving, many landlords, rental property owners, and investors are paying closer attention to proposed laws impacting:
- Eviction procedures
- Tenant screening
- Utility billing regulations
- Housing provider compliance
- Property operations
- Rental housing costs
At Colorado Realty & Property Management, Inc., we will continue monitoring legislative developments and sharing relevant industry updates that may impact Colorado landlords, property owners, and real estate investors. Our goal is to help you stay informed, prepared, and proactive as Colorado’s rental housing landscape continues to evolve.
