Colorado Security Deposit Law at a Glance
Governing Statute
Colo. Rev. Stat. §38-12-103 — Security Deposits
Return Deadline
Your landlord must return your deposit or provide an itemized statement within 60 calendar days after termination of lease or surrender of premises.
Penalty for Non-Return
If your landlord fails to return your deposit or provide an itemized statement within 60 calendar days, you may be entitled to treble the amount wrongfully withheld under Colo. Rev. Stat. §38-12-103(3).
Key Facts
- Maximum deposit: no statutory limit
- Itemization required: Within 60 calendar days
- Small claims limit: $7,500
Additional Protections
- If landlord fails to return deposit within statutory time, landlord forfeits right to withhold any portion
- Treble damages for willful retention
What Your Colorado Demand Letter Includes
Every letter is built from Colorado's actual statute — not a generic template.
Exact Statute Citation
Colo. Rev. Stat. §38-12-103 cited by section number. Your landlord sees you know the law.
Calculated Deadline
60 calendar days from your move-out date, computed automatically from your specific dates.
Penalty Warning
treble the amount wrongfully withheld — cited so your landlord knows the cost of non-compliance.
Print-Ready PDF
Professional formatting. Print it, sign it, send it certified mail. Ready in under 3 minutes.
Free preview. $9.99 for the clean, print-ready PDF.
Colorado Security Deposit FAQ
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Colorado?
Under Colo. Rev. Stat. §38-12-103, your landlord has 60 calendar days after termination of lease or surrender of premises to return your security deposit or provide an itemized statement of deductions.
What happens if my Colorado landlord doesn't return my deposit on time?
If your landlord fails to return your deposit within the legal deadline, you may be entitled to treble the amount wrongfully withheld under Colo. Rev. Stat. §38-12-103(3). You can pursue this in small claims court.
What is the maximum security deposit a landlord can charge in Colorado?
Under Colo. Rev. Stat. §38-12-103, the maximum security deposit in Colorado is no statutory limit.
Does my Colorado landlord have to itemize deductions from my deposit?
Yes. Colorado law requires landlords to provide an itemized list of deductions within 60 calendar days of move-out.
Can I sue my landlord in small claims court in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado small claims court handles cases up to $7,500. Security deposit disputes are one of the most common small claims cases.
Do I need a lawyer to send a security deposit demand letter in Colorado?
No. A demand letter is a formal written request, not a lawsuit. You can send one yourself. Our tool generates a Colorado-specific demand letter citing Colo. Rev. Stat. §38-12-103 so your landlord knows you understand your rights.
Security Deposit Demand Letters by State
Select your state to see your specific rights and generate your letter.