Strong tenant protections
Breaking a lease in Colorado
The mitigation question
Good news
Your landlord must make reasonable efforts to re-rent — you owe the gap, not the whole remainder. Yes — Schneiker v. Gordon, 732 P.2d 603 (Colo. 1987) (landlord must make reasonable efforts to re-rent)
Your protected exits
- Military. SCRA baseline (50 U.S.C. § 3955); no broader state extension found Guide →
- Domestic violence. Victim of unlawful sexual behavior, stalking, domestic violence, or domestic abuse may terminate by written notice and vacating where there is fear of imminent danger. Evidence: (1) a police report written within the… C.R.S. § 38-12-402 Guide →
- Uninhabitable conditions. Breach of the warranty of habitability (C.R.S. §38-12-503): after the tenant gives notice of the breach and the landlord fails to commence remedial action within a reasonable time, the tenant may terminate without…
- DV victim may not be evicted for DV-related lease violations where the violence caused the conduct (C.R.S. §§13-40-104(4), 13-40-107.5(5)(c))
- Lock-change / safety measures without adverse action (HB 25-1168)
- SCRA military exit
Notice periods
| Situation | Rule |
|---|
| Dv | Written notice + evidence (police report within 60 days / valid protection order / medical-professional or application-assistant statement); vacate on fear of imminent danger (§38-12-402) |
| Habitability | Notice of breach + reasonable time to commence repairs, then 10–60 days' written notice with termination date ≥10 days after notice (§38-12-507) |
| Military | 30 days after next rent due date (SCRA) |
Early-termination fees
Reported (confirm with a licensed attorney): No statutory cap found — flat early-termination fees enforceable only as reasonable liquidated damages under general contract law
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Not legal advice. This page is general information about landlord-tenant law, not advice about your situation. Laws change and procedures vary by county. For advice about your lease, consult a licensed attorney in your state — many legal aid offices help renters free.