Colorado § 38-12-510 Unlawful removal or exclusion

Colorado Statutes

§ 38-12-510 — Unlawful removal or exclusion

Colorado § 38-12-510

Title 38Property -

Art.Tenants and Landlords

This text of Colorado § 38-12-510 (Unlawful removal or exclusion) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Colorado primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-510 (2026).

Text

(1)It is unlawful for a landlord to remove or exclude a tenant from a dwelling unit without resorting to court process, unless the removal or exclusion is consistent with article 18.5 of title 25 and the rules promulgated by the state board of health for the cleanup of an illegal drug laboratory; is with the mutual consent of the landlord and tenant; or unless the dwelling unit has been abandoned by the tenant, as evidenced by the return of keys, the substantial removal of the tenant's personal property, notice by the tenant, or the extended absence of the tenant while rent remains unpaid, any of which would cause a reasonable person to believe the tenant had permanently surrendered possession of the dwelling unit. Unlawful removal or exclusion includes the willful termination o

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(1) It is unlawful for a landlord to
remove or exclude a tenant from a dwelling unit without resorting to court process,
unless the removal or exclusion is consistent with article 18.5 of title 25 and the
rules promulgated by the state board of health for the cleanup of an illegal drug
laboratory; is with the mutual consent of the landlord and tenant; or unless the
dwelling unit has been abandoned by the tenant, as evidenced by the return of
keys, the substantial removal of the tenant's personal property, notice by the
tenant, or the extended absence of the tenant while rent remains unpaid, any of
which would cause a reasonable person to believe the tenant had permanently
surrendered possession of the dwelling unit. Unlawful removal or exclusion
includes the willful termination of utilities or the willful removal of doors, windows,
or locks to the premises other than as required for repair or maintenance. If the
landlord willfully and unlawfully removes the tenant from the premises or willfully
and unlawfully causes the termination of heat, running water, hot water, electric,
gas, or other essential services, the tenant may seek any remedy available under
the law, including this part 5.

(2) A tenant affected by a violation of this section may bring a civil action in a
county court or district court of competent jurisdiction to restrain further violations
and to recover damages, costs, and reasonable attorney fees. In the case of a
violation, the tenant must be awarded statutory damages equal to the tenant's
actual damages and the higher amount of either three times the monthly rent or
five thousand dollars, as well as any other damages, attorney fees, and costs that
may be owed.

(3) A court may also order that possession be restored to a tenant who was
affected by a violation of this section.

Legislative History

Source: L. 2008: Entire part added, p. 1826, � 3, effective September 1. L. 2021: Entire section amended, (SB 21-173), ch. 349, p. 2270, � 13, effective October 1. L. 2024: (2) amended, (SB 24-094), ch. 158, p. 727, � 9, effective May 3.