DENVER (KDVR) — The first of the month means it’s time to pay rent for many residents, but in Colorado, renters legally have a little bit of a grace period.
Rent in Colorado isn’t cheap. At the end of 2024, rent in Denver cost $1,700 for a one-bedroom unit, higher than the national average of $1,538. For those making minimum wage in Denver, which is $18.81 in 2025, that takes out a good chunk of the paycheck. However, if you’re running late on paying rent, there shouldn’t be any penalties initially.
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While rent may be due on the first of the month, landlords in Colorado can’t legally charge renters late fees until rent is late by at least seven or more calendar days, based on Colorado Revised Statutes.
According to C.R.S. 38-12-105, landlords and agents of landlords can’t charge late fees until at least seven or more days, and they can’t charge tenants or homeowners a late fee of more than $50 or 5% of the amount of the past due rent. The law also states that late fees can’t be charged unless it was disclosed in the rental agreement…