HB 23-1120

House Bill 23-1120, titled "Eviction Protections For Residential Tenants," requires landlords to participate in mediation with tenants who receive certain government assistance before starting an eviction process. This applies to tenants receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or Colorado Works cash assistance. The bill also delays law enforcement from removing these tenants for at least 30 days after a court judgment, unless there's a serious violation of the lease. It ensures that rental agreements include information about mediation rights and protections against source-of-income discrimination. This bill was signed into law on June 6, 2023, and is now in effect, providing new safeguards for vulnerable tenants facing eviction.

Official Summary

The act requires a landlord and residential tenant to participate in mandatory mediation prior to commencing an eviction action if the residential tenant receives supplemental security income, federal social security disability insurance, or cash assistance through the Colorado works program (collectively, "cash assistance"). The landlord and residential tenant do not have to participate in mediation if the residential tenant did not disclose or declined to disclose in writing to the landlord that the residential tenant receives cash assistance, the complainant is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers opportunities for mediation to residential tenants, or the complainant is a landlord with 5 or fewer single-family rental homes and no more than 5 total rental units. Failure to comply with mandatory mediation is an affirmative defense. The act prohibits a law enforcement officer from executing a writ of restitution against a residential tenant for at least 30 days after the entry of judgment if the residential tenant receives cash assistance, except in the case in which a court has ordered a judgment for possession for a substantial violation or in the case of a landlord with 5 or fewer single-family rental homes and no more than 5 total rental units. The act requires a written demand to include a statement that a residential tenant who receives cash assistance has a right to mediation prior to the landlord filing an eviction complaint with the court. The act requires a written rental agreement to include a statement that current law prohibits source of income discrimination and requires a non-exempt landlord to accept any lawful and verifiable source of money paid directly, indirectly, or on behalf of a person. The act prohibits a written rental agreement from including a waiver of mandatory mediation or a clause that allows a landlord to recoup any costs associated with mandatory mediation. The act appropriates $328,026 from the general fund to the judicial department for use by courts administration. To implement this act, the department may use this appropriation as follows: $246,076 for general courts administration; $75,000 for information technology infrastructure; and $6,950 for capital outlay. APPROVED by Governor June 6, 2023 EFFECTIVE June 6, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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