HB 25-1240: Protections for Tenants with Housing Subsidies

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

The act requires a landlord who initiates an eviction proceeding for nonpayment of rent against a tenant to comply with certain notice requirements set forth in federal law for tenants who use housing subsidies. Under current law, if a tenant proves as an affirmative defense to an eviction proceeding that the landlord violated the warranty of habitability, the court must order a reduction in the fair rental value of the dwelling unit and order the landlord to reimburse the tenant any difference in rent between the reduced fair rental value and any greater amount of rent that the tenant paid. The act states that the landlord must reimburse this amount regardless of whether part or all of the rent was paid by the tenant or by a housing subsidy issued to the tenant. The act states that a landlord commits an unfair housing practice if the landlord fails to: Make reasonable efforts to timely respond to requests for information and documentation necessary for a rental assistance application process; or Cooperate with a tenant who is applying for rental assistance in good faith. Current law allows a person to pursue relief for damages resulting from a landlord's commission of an unfair housing practice. The act states that, if a court awards damages to a plaintiff who prevails in such an action, and the violation concerns discrimination on the basis of an individual's use of a housing subsidy, the court shall award the plaintiff at least $5,000 in damages. The act also states that a calculation of actual damages must include consideration of losses that a tenant may incur as a result of the tenant forfeiting their housing subsidy as a result of the landlord discriminating against the tenant based on the tenant's source or amount of income. Current law provides that, in addition to relief awarded to a tenant in a private action, the Colorado civil rights commission may order a respondent who has been found to have engaged in an unfair housing practice to pay a civil penalty in an amount that varies based on whether the respondent has previously committed discriminatory housing practices. The act establishes a minimum penalty amount of $5,000 if a person commits any of certain unfair housing violations and the violation concerns discrimination on the basis of an individual's use of a housing subsidy. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 22

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 29, 2025Governor Signed
2. May 2, 2025Sent to the Governor
3. May 1, 2025Signed by the Speaker of the House
4. May 1, 2025Signed by the President of the Senate
5. April 11, 2025House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
6. April 9, 2025House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily
7. April 8, 2025Senate Third Reading Passed with Amendments - Floor
8. April 7, 2025Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments
9. April 4, 2025Senate Second Reading Laid Over to 04/07/2025 - No Amendments
10. April 1, 2025Senate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole
11. March 13, 2025Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Business, Labor, & Technology
12. March 11, 2025House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

Showing 12 most recent of 15 actions. Full history