If you’re struggling with mistreatment by a landlord, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it.

The state’s attorney general is now able to investigate potential violations of housing laws and to utilize civil and criminal enforcement actions because of a state law that took effect in May 2022. On Tuesday, the Department of Law took action for the first time by reaching a $1 million settlement with Boulder-based Four Star Realty after the property management company illegally charged residents for unnecessary work, unrelated damages and other fees not outlined in their leases.

In Colorado, landlords aren’t allowed to bill for undisclosed charges and must refund any illegal ones. A tenant’s deposit can’t be kept for “normal wear and tear” or utilized by the landlord to pay for damage caused by past renters, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

While the office encourages you to reach out to your landlord first to explain your problem, follow the steps below to file a complaint if you’re unable to reach a resolution.

Visit stopfraudcolorado.gov and click the “Report Fraud” button. It will redirect you to coag.gov/file-complaint.
Once on the “File a Complaint” page, select “Products | Services” as the problem area of your complaint. Incorrect billing, problems with a service, repairs and claims of deceptive business practices all fall under that category.
Before filing your complaint, gather relevant documentation, including photos, copies of emails and screenshots of texts. “The more information that our attorneys get about the issue that they’re having, the better chance that they have of doing something about it,” said Elliot Goldbaum, Colorado Attorney General’s Office spokesperson. “Think about, like, if you were going to small claims court — the things that you would want to bring.”
Start the official complaint process by selecting “Housing, Rentals, and Mobile Home Parks (Discrimination, Habitability and Safety Issues, Security Deposits, etc.)” as the option that best fits your complaint.
You’re then asked if you lost money or have a monetary dispute. If so, identify how much.
Share your landlord’s contact information, including the company or individual’s name, address, phone number, email and website.
Write out your complaint narrative, providing dates and full names. Describe your attempts at resolution.
Upload your relevant documentation.
Provide your contact information.
Complete the optional demographic information, including age range, ethnicity, language spoken at home and military status.

For security deposits specifically, Colorado landlords typically must return them within 30 days, but no longer than 60 days, depending on your lease agreement. If your property manager fails to do so, you’re able to write a seven-day demand letter sent by first class and certified mail outlining your related disputes, according to Colorado Legal Services.

Before pursuing any legal action, officials suggest speaking with a lawyer.