Colorado Coalition for the Homeless has published a new brief, “The state of renters protections in Colorado” which shows how generous rental assistance programs are in the state.
“Despite eviction filings skyrocketing to historic levels in 2023, in only five years Denver has seen the rate of evictions ordered—i.e. the percentage of evictions filed that result in a formal eviction—effectively cut by more than half,” according to the brief. “Out of 12,910 evictions filed in 2023, only 4,043 (31%) resulted in an eviction order from a judge. Compare that to between 2001 and 2017, when 75% of cases led to an eviction order.”
Why fewer evictions? “This trend is likely due to robust investments in rental assistance, increased access to legal assistance for tenants, expanded mediation opportunities, and major policy reforms including state legislation that expanded notice before most evictions can be filed, from three to 10 days, and a law that also allows tenants to repay their debts and avoid eviction up until the point of a trial,” according to the brief.