Colorado House passes tenant-protection bill limiting fees and strengthening voucher access

The Colorado House on March 10 passed House Bill 12-40, legislation aimed at strengthening protections for tenants who use housing subsidies and limiting certain landlord fees and penalties.

The bill, sponsored on the floor by Representative Froelich and brought forward with the Business and Labor Committee report, removes a proposed requirement that small landlords be compelled to accept Section 8 vouchers, lowers a proposed $50 late-fee cap to $20, and adds language authorizing technical or financial assistance to landlords.

The measure drew sharply divided debate. Representative Raf Froelich, the bill sponsor, said the measure “helps to give a little bit of grace” to tenants who rely on voucher programs and “strengthens source of income discrimination protection and cooperation with emergency rental assistance application and codifies the CARES Act,” and asked colleagues for a yes vote.

Opponents repeatedly warned of unintended consequences for small property owners. Representative Armagost said she opposed the bill because it “goes after landlords” and “puts a leash and a choke collar on them” and argued it would add regulatory burdens on small businesses. Representative Richardson said the bill “adds…