Eviction notices in Colorado

Before filing for unpaid rent, the landlord must serve a written demand for compliance giving the tenant 10 days to pay or move (C.R.S. § 13-40-104(1)(d); court form JDF 99 A). An 'exempt residential agreement' (landlord with 5 or fewer single-family homes, where the lease waives the 10-day notice) allows 5 days; employer-provided housing allows 3 days (C.R.S. § 13-40-104(5); JDF 99 A).

Can the tenant pay to stop it? The tenant can avoid eviction by paying the past-due rent within the 10 days.

Type:

Pay or move out

Notice period:

10 days

Law:

C.R.S. § 13-40-104(1)(d)

For a material lease violation, 10 days' written notice requiring compliance or delivery of possession (5 days for an exempt residential agreement, 3 days for employer-provided housing). The same 10-day cure notice applies to nuisance/disturbing conduct or negligent damage (C.R.S. § 13-40-104(1)(e), (1)(j), as amended by HB24-1098).

Chance to fix it: The tenant has 10 days to comply with the lease term (or stop the disturbing conduct).

Type:

Fix it or move out

Notice period:

10 days

Law:

C.R.S. § 13-40-104(1)(e)

Repeat violation: the tenancy ends 10 days after service of a notice to terminate (5 days for an exempt residential agreement, 3 for employer-provided housing) (C.R.S. § 13-40-104(1)(e.5)(II)). Substantial violation (criminal behavior: purposely endangering property or tenants, a violent or drug-related felony, or a criminal act that is a public nuisance or punishable by 180+ days in jail): 3 days' notice (C.R.S. § 13-40-107.5(3); JDF 99 B).

When it applies: A repeat violation of the same lease term after a prior demand for compliance.

Notice period:

10 days

Law:

C.R.S. § 13-40-104(1)(e.5)(II); § 13-40-107.5

The court form says to count day 1 as the day after service is completed, and the move-out date must give at least the full period (JDF 99 A). The statute does not exclude weekends or holidays from the 10 days.

Personal service on the tenant or a family member over 15 who lives there; if no one can be served, the notice may be posted in a conspicuous place after at least two attempts on separate days (a third attempt plus certified mail for victim-survivors) (C.R.S. § 13-40-108; JDF 99 A). The notice must be in English, Spanish, or the tenant's known primary language and must state the right to mediation for tenants on SSI, SSDI or Colorado Works (C.R.S. § 13-40-106(2)-(3)).

Since April 19, 2024, a landlord may not evict or refuse to renew without a listed cause (nonpayment, violations, nuisance, or specified no-fault grounds that carry their own notice periods and conditions) once a tenant has rented for 12 months; owner-occupied 1-3 unit homes, short-term rentals and employer housing are exempt. A lease or other agreement that waives or modifies these rules is void (C.R.S. § 38-12-1305), and a tenant may raise the landlord's noncompliance as an affirmative defense; if the landlord cannot prove compliance by a preponderance of the evidence, the court must dismiss the eviction (§ 38-12-1306). (C.R.S. §§ 38-12-1301 to -1307 (HB24-1098); §§ 38-12-1305, -1306)

The landlord files an eviction complaint and summons in county court; the summons must be served at least 7 days before the return date, and the tenant must file an Answer (JDF 103) on or before the return date (C.R.S. § 13-40-111; Colorado Judicial eviction guide). Tenants on SSI, SSDI or Colorado Works may have a right to mandatory mediation before filing (C.R.S. § 13-40-106(2)). A tenant removed without a court order may seek relief for unlawful removal (C.R.S. § 38-12-510, § 38-12-1304).

• Properties with federally backed mortgages need a 30-day notice under the federal CARES Act (JDF 99 A).
• A victim-survivor of domestic violence, stalking or sexual abuse who missed rent for that reason may be entitled to a repayment plan of up to 9 months (C.R.S. § 13-40-104(4)(e); JDF 99 A).

• Colorado notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (no-cause notice by tenant or landlord)
• Colorado security deposit law: deadlines after move-out
• Federal 30-day notice for covered properties (CARES Act)

• Colorado Judicial form JDF 99 A - Demand for Compliance (rev. Sept. 4, 2025) Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• Colorado Judicial form JDF 99 B - Notice to Terminate Tenancy Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• HB24-1098 signed act (C.R.S. §§ 13-40-104, -106; 38-12-1301 et seq.) Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• Colorado General Assembly - HB24-1098 bill page Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• Colorado Judicial - Guide to Residential Evictions (Jefferson County packet, 10/15/25) Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• Colorado Judicial - Demand for Compliance self-help page Retrieved October 13, 2026.

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 13, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; if you have an eviction case, contact your state's legal aid. See our methodology.