HB 17-1159

House Bill 17-1159, which has been signed into law in Colorado, addresses situations where someone prevents a property owner from accessing their own home or land by locking it or changing the locks. The bill allows the owner to quickly get a court order to regain access and take possession of the property while storing any personal items found there at the owner's expense. It also introduces new criminal offenses for occupying or re-entering a property without permission after being told not to do so. This law affects anyone who might need to legally reclaim their property from someone preventing them from entering it, such as landlords dealing with tenants who refuse to leave.

Official Summary

The bill adds to the current descriptions of forcible detainer the act of a person preventing an owner from access to or possession of property by locking or changing the lock on the property. The bill creates a procedure for the plaintiff to seek a temporary, mandatory injunction giving the plaintiff possession of the property if a complaint for forcible entry or detainer is filed. The procedure requires the plaintiff to store any personal property found on the property but allows the plaintiff to recover the costs of the storage. The bill establishes as new crimes related to forcible entry and detainer the crimes of unlawful occupancy and unlawful reentry. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Votes