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Rent Late Fee Laws in Colorado

In Colorado a landlord may not charge a late fee until rent is at least 7 calendar days late, and the fee cannot exceed the greater of $50 or 5% of the past due rent.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Colorado at a glance

Late fee cap
Greater of $50 or 5% of past due rent
The fee must be disclosed in the rental agreement, generally may be charged only once per late payment, and unpaid late fees cannot be the basis for eviction.
Cap (% of rent)
5% (or $50 if greater)
The $50 floor means the cap can exceed 5% for rents under $1,000.
Grace period
7 calendar days
A late fee may not be charged unless the rent payment is late by at least seven calendar days.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Colorado

How much can a landlord charge as a late fee in Colorado?

Late fee cap in Colorado: Greater of $50 or 5% of past due rent. The fee must be disclosed in the rental agreement, generally may be charged only once per late payment, and unpaid late fees cannot be the basis for eviction.

What percentage of the rent is the late fee cap in Colorado?

Cap (% of rent) in Colorado: 5% (or $50 if greater). The $50 floor means the cap can exceed 5% for rents under $1,000.

How many days does a tenant have before a late fee can be charged in Colorado?

Grace period in Colorado: 7 calendar days. A late fee may not be charged unless the rent payment is late by at least seven calendar days.

Where do the Colorado rent late fee laws come from?

The rules above come from Colo. Rev. Stat. 38-12-105. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

Landlords who violate the late fee rules face a $50 penalty per violation and, if not cured within 7 days of notice, tenant lawsuits for damages and penalties of $150 to $1,000 per violation.

What this means in practice

In many states, a landlord can charge a late fee only if the lease provides for it. Putting the amount, the due date, and any grace period in the lease in plain numbers helps both sides avoid disputes.

When a state counts a grace period, the details matter: whether weekends and holidays count, and whether the clock starts on the due date or the day after. Read the statute text linked on each state page rather than relying on a rounded summary.

Late fees are separate from unpaid rent. Keeping rent receipts and a record of the date each payment arrived makes it easier to check whether a fee was charged correctly and to resolve disagreements before they reach court.

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