For the first time, Denver fined three landlords $500 each for not getting the city’s required residential rental licenses, which went into effect earlier this year.

The citations were issued Wednesday and Thursday to properties that had previously received warnings and a $150 fine. The affected properties include a complex at 1232 Gaylord St. in Cheesman Park, a complex at 1522 N. Wabash St. in East Colfax and 29th Street Apartments at 651 29th St. in Five Points.

If they fail to undergo inspections and apply for the licenses, they could be hit with another $999 fine in as soon as two weeks, Excise and Licenses spokesperson Eric Escudero said.

As of now, his department has sent more than 1,110 warning letters and around 50 $150 fines and citations.

“More $500 fines will be likely coming soon for unlicensed properties,” Escudero said. “It’s a bad day for us anytime we are left with no option but to start issuing fines and citations.”

On Thursday, more than 6,600 rental properties – both multi-unit and single-unit – had received licenses across the city, with around 7,000 applications submitted to the department. Those licensed buildings encompass 125,000 units.

Initially, the city targeted properties with public health complaints for enforcement of the residential rental license program, said Executive Director Molly Duplechian in a phone interview. But the team is now using compliance software that helps identify properties lacking licenses and has started working through that list.

Last March, the program was launched, with a Jan. 1 deadline for multi-unit rental properties. The department started sending out notices of violation in February.

As the program rolled out, it faced challenges with landlords and inspectors pointing to a convoluted application process in its early stages, a lack of inspectors at one point and general ignorance about the mandate.

The department’s current inspector registry list reaches almost 50 inspectors for landlords to choose from.

“Properties that remain out of compliance will continue to hear from us,” Duplechian said. When it comes to housing standards, “it’s important for these properties and these tenants to know that that’s what they’re getting if they’re paying thousands of dollars a month in rent.”