Colorado’s 2026 legislative session opened in January and runs through mid-May. Housing has been one of the legislature’s stated priorities, and several bills currently moving through the process would directly affect how Colorado landlords operate. None of these bills are law yet. Their status may change before the session ends. This article gives you a factual summary of what is being proposed so you can follow along and, if it matters to your business, engage.
Who Is Watching This on Behalf of Landlords
The Colorado Housing Coalition (CHC) — formerly the Colorado Landlord Legislative Coalition — is the primary advocacy organization representing single-family housing providers and small property managers at the state Capitol. Founded in 2020, the CHC maintains a dedicated lobbyist, a 2026 bill tracker on its website, and provides testimony opportunities for members throughout the session.
The CHC’s stated mission is to give independent landlords and small property management companies a unified voice in a legislative environment where, in their own words, “our specific interests were not always at the forefront.” If you own rental property in Colorado and are not yet following their work, their bill tracker at coloradohousingcoalition.org is a practical place to stay current.
Colorado RECON is a proud supporter of the Colorado Housing Coalition and encourages rental property owners across the state to stay connected and support the work they are doing through an annual contribution. The CHC’s ability to show up at the Capitol with a unified voice depends directly on the size and engagement of its membership. You can learn more and join at coloradohousingcoalition.org.
Bills to Know
The following bills are active in the 2026 session as of publication. All are proposals — not yet law — and final language may change.
HB 26-1047 — Eviction Records: This bill would permanently suppress eviction records from public access, even in cases where the landlord prevails — with a narrow exception for what the bill defines as “substantial lease violations.” Under current law, records are suppressed until the landlord wins, after which they become public. Critics of the bill, including property managers, have raised concerns that nonpayment of rent would not qualify as a substantial lease violation, which would effectively remove past evictions from the tenant screening process. The bill also includes new documentation requirements for landlords before filing an eviction: a copy of the lease and a current rent ledger must be attached to the written notice, or the tenant may have grounds to defeat the eviction on procedural grounds regardless of the underlying facts. The bill was heard by the House Judiciary Committee in late February 2026.
HB 26-1106 — Eviction Scheduling and Process: This bill would limit the number of evictions a county court can schedule in a single day, prohibit naming a minor as a named defendant in an eviction complaint, and require a trial or hearing when a tenant’s answer expresses an intent to cure nonpayment. It would also repeal the appeals bond in eviction cases and extend the time to execute a writ of restitution from 48 hours to 30 days. The House Judiciary Committee hearing was scheduled for March 10.
HB 26-1196 — Tenant Screening Disclosure: This bill would require landlords to inform prospective tenants about what information they plan to obtain during the screening process. It would also require landlords who own more than five properties and receive certain financial assistance to offer tenants the option to report positive rent payment history to a credit bureau.
HB 26-1001 — Housing on Underutilized Land: The first bill introduced this session, HB 26-1001 would require certain local governments to allow residential development on qualifying public and nonprofit-owned land through an administrative approval process — bypassing the traditional rezoning process. Governor Polis introduced this bill alongside the Speaker Pro Tempore at a January press conference, framing it around Colorado’s shortage of more than 100,000 homes.
Rent Control: Still in the Conversation
Colorado has had a statewide ban on rent control since 1981. Proposals to repeal that ban have appeared in multiple recent legislative sessions and have not passed. The debate continues in 2026.
Governor Polis has publicly opposed rent control on multiple occasions, arguing that it discourages new development and addresses symptoms rather than supply. Housing advocates supporting a repeal argue it is a necessary tool for tenant stability. Bills to repeal the ban have historically failed to get through the legislature.
The ban remains in place. If you are evaluating long-term investment decisions in Colorado, this is a policy area worth monitoring each session.
A Broader Pattern Worth Understanding
Between 2023 and 2026, the Colorado General Assembly has passed a significant number of tenant-favorable laws — on security deposits, junk fees, habitability, eviction process, and victim protections. Each session has added new requirements. Supporters argue these protect renters in a tight housing market. Critics, including the CHC, argue the cumulative regulatory burden is increasing the cost and legal complexity of operating rental housing and may reduce the supply of available units over time.
Both perspectives are represented in the public record. How this legislative direction affects your business depends on your portfolio, your practices, and how you manage compliance. The session runs through May 13, 2026. Final bill outcomes will be available after adjournment.
