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Early Lease Termination Laws in Colorado

In Colorado, a tenant who is a victim of unlawful sexual behavior, stalking or domestic violence can end a lease early and may owe one month's rent after leaving, and Colorado's landlord and tenant article has no early termination right based on age or medical need.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Colorado at a glance

Domestic violence victims
Yes, up to one month's rent after leaving
One month's rent is owed within 90 days after vacating, but only if the landlord has documented damages of at least one month's rent from the early termination.
Senior, disability or medical
No statutory right
No section of C.R.S. Title 38, Article 12 gives an early termination right based on age, disability or medical need.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Colorado

Can domestic violence or sexual assault victims end a lease early in Colorado?

Yes, up to one month's rent after leaving. Domestic violence victims in Colorado: yes, up to one month's rent after leaving. One month's rent is owed within 90 days after vacating, but only if the landlord has documented damages of at least one month's rent from the early termination.

Can seniors or tenants with a disability or medical need end a lease early in Colorado?

No statutory right. Senior, disability or medical in Colorado: no statutory right. No section of C.R.S. Title 38, Article 12 gives an early termination right based on age, disability or medical need.

Where do the Colorado early lease termination laws come from?

The rules above come from C.R.S. 38-12-402. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Read the lease first. Many leases contain an early termination clause, a buyout fee or a sublease option that may be easier to use than a statutory right. A statutory right usually applies even if the lease says nothing about it, and a lease generally cannot waive it.

Statutory early termination rights usually come with conditions. Common ones are written notice to the landlord, a minimum notice period, and proof such as a protective order, police report, military orders or a doctor's statement. Keep copies of everything you send and note the date and method of delivery.

If you leave without a statutory right, you may still owe rent until the unit is re-rented or the lease ends. Where a landlord has a duty to mitigate, it must make reasonable efforts to find a new tenant, and the amount you owe is reduced by rent the landlord collects or reasonably could have collected. Returning keys and documenting the condition of the unit can help limit disputes.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.