Colorado Security Deposit Law
A 2026 guide for Colorado landlords: how much you can hold, the 30-day deadline to return it, whether interest is required, and the penalties for getting it wrong — plus a free calculator set to Colorado's rules.
Deposit cap
No statutory cap
Refund deadline
30 days
Up to 60 days if the lease specifies a longer period.
Interest required?
No
No statewide interest requirement.
Separate account?
Not required
Penalty for noncompliance
Willful failure to return can trigger treble damages plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Statute: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-103
Colorado security deposit refund calculator
Pre-set to Colorado's 30-day deadline. Enter the deposit and any deductions to see the refund and the exact due date.
Itemized deductions
Result
$1,500.00
Amount owed back to the tenant
- Deposit held
- $1,500.00
- Total deductions
- −$0.00
Legal deadline in Colorado
Return the deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) within 30 days of move-out.
Up to 60 days if the lease specifies a longer period.
How to return a security deposit in Colorado
- 1
Inspect and document the unit
As soon as the tenant moves out, photograph every room and compare it against the move-in condition. In Colorado, deductions generally must reflect actual damage beyond normal wear and tear.
- 2
Itemize every deduction in writing
List each deduction with a dollar amount. Colorado — like nearly every state — can bar a landlord from keeping any of the deposit if deductions aren't itemized in a written statement.
- 3
Confirm no interest is required
No statewide interest requirement. That means you generally return the deposit minus documented deductions, with no added interest.
- 4
Return the balance within 30 days
Send the remaining balance and the itemized statement to the tenant's forwarding address within 30 days of move-out. Up to 60 days if the lease specifies a longer period. Missing this deadline is the single most common way landlords lose a deposit dispute.
Colorado security deposit FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Colorado?
No statutory cap.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Colorado?
A landlord generally has 30 days after the tenant moves out to return the deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions. Up to 60 days if the lease specifies a longer period.
Is interest required on security deposits in Colorado?
No statewide interest requirement.
Does Colorado require the deposit to be held in a separate account?
Colorado does not impose a statewide separate-account requirement, though keeping deposits separate is still good practice.
What happens if a landlord wrongfully withholds a deposit in Colorado?
Willful failure to return can trigger treble damages plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Related free tools
Deposit laws in other states
This page summarizes general state-level rules as of 2026 and does not cover city or county ordinances, which can be stricter. Verify against the statute cited above (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-103) or with a local attorney before relying on it.