QuickProrate

Colorado Residential Leasing Guide

Colorado Prorated Rent Calculator

Calculate partial-month rent for apartments and rental homes in Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Boulder, and throughout Colorado under state leasing statutes.

By the QuickProrate Editorial Team•Reviewed October 2026
$

Full monthly lease rate

First day tenant possesses property

Prorated Rent Due

$0.00

for partial month

Days Occupied: 0 Days
Daily Rate: $0.00/day

The 3 Common Calculation Methods

Most Common

Actual Days in Month

$0.00

Rent ÷ Days in Month

Banker's Rule

30-Day (Banker's month)

$0.00

Rent ÷ 30 days flat

Annualized

365-Day Annual Method

$0.00

(Rent × 12 ÷ 365) × Days

Check the rent or proration clause of your lease to see which method applies.

Current Month

Highlighted dates indicate billable occupancy.

Occupied Unoccupied

Informational tool only, not legal advice. Always follow your signed lease.

Colorado Worked Example

October 10 Move-In: Denver / Boulder ($1,800/month)

22 Days Occupied • 31-Day Month

Consider a resident signing a lease for an apartment in Denver or Boulder with a monthly rent of $1,800.00 and move-in on October 10th. In October's 31-day duration, the tenant occupies the property for 22 days (October 10 through October 31 inclusive).

Calculation MethodDaily Rate FormulaDaily RateOccupied DaysProrated Rent Due
Actual Days Method31 Days in October$1,800 ÷ 31$58.0622$1,277.42
30-Day Month MethodStandard 30 Divisor$1,800 ÷ 30$60.0022$1,320.00
365-Day Annual Method($1,800 × 12) ÷ 365$21,600 ÷ 365$59.1822$1,301.92

Method Comparison Note

In October (31 days), the actual-days method totals $1,277.42, which is $42.58 less than the 30-day month calculation ($1,320.00).

Colorado Security Deposit Caps & Return Timelines

Colorado Revised Statutes regulate security deposit maximums, provide strict timelines for accounting, and prohibit improper deductions for normal wear and tear.

Two Months' Rent Cap

Under C.R.S. § 38-12-102.5, Colorado law restricts security deposits to an amount no greater than two months' rent for residential leases.

1-Month Return (Max 60 Days)

Deposits must be returned within 30 calendar days of lease termination or surrender, or up to 60 days if explicitly stated in the lease agreement (C.R.S. § 38-12-103(1)).

Late Fee Limitations

Late fees cannot exceed $50 or 5% of past-due rent (whichever is greater), and require a mandatory 7-calendar-day grace period (C.R.S. § 38-12-105).

2026 changes (HB25-1249, effective Jan 1, 2026)

Colorado enacted major tenant deposit protections under HB25-1249 (effective January 1, 2026). While the two-month deposit cap under C.R.S. § 38-12-102.5 remains unchanged and the return timeline remains 30 calendar days (or up to 60 days if stipulated by lease under C.R.S. § 38-12-103(1)), the 2026 legislation establishes strict documentation rules and tenant protections:

14-Day Documentation Rule

If a landlord provides an itemized statement withholding any portion of a deposit, they must deliver supporting documentation—including photographic evidence, inspection reports, repair receipts, contractor invoices, or written estimates—within 14 calendar days of a tenant's written request.

Move-Out Walkthrough Right

Tenants possess the statutory right to request an in-person or interactive telecommunication move-out walkthrough inspection before the lease terminates or the unit is surrendered, allowing both parties to identify conditions. Use our move-in move-out checklist.

Wear & Tear, Paint & Carpet Rules

Uncleanliness is generally treated as normal wear and tear unless the dwelling is left substantially less clean than at move-in. Landlords cannot assess full replacement charges for partial paint or carpet damage, nor deem carpet irreparably damaged if it has not been replaced with new carpet within the preceding 10 years.

125% Bad Faith Presumption & Electronic Refunds

Bad faith retention is presumed by statute when the amount withheld is 125% or more of actual damages, exposing the landlord to treble damages under C.R.S. § 38-12-103(3)(a). Electronic deposit refunds (such as direct deposit or ACH) are now explicitly authorized with tenant consent.

21-Day Notice to Terminate & Treble Damages

Month-to-Month Notice (21 Days)

Under C.R.S. § 13-40-107(1)(c), terminating a periodic month-to-month tenancy requires at least 21 calendar days' advance written notice before the end of the rental period. Draft compliant notice with our move-out notice letter.

Treble Damages & 7-Day Demand

Under C.R.S. § 38-12-103(3)(a), willful withholding of a deposit exposes the landlord to treble damages plus attorney fees. Tenants must send a 7-day demand notice prior to filing. Demand your refund with our deposit return letter.

Denver & Boulder Rental Dynamics

Municipalities across the Colorado Front Range enforce local rental requirements. Denver requires residential rental licenses and third-party property inspections for all long-term rental properties, while Boulder enforces smart energy and occupancy regulations. Protect your rights by documenting move-in conditions with our move-in move-out checklist.

Colorado Prorated Rent Frequently Asked Questions

How is prorated rent calculated in Colorado?

Colorado statutory law does not dictate a mandatory formula for prorating rent. The signed lease agreement determines the calculation method, with most housing providers using the actual number of calendar days in the month, while others utilize a 30-day divisor.

What is the maximum security deposit allowed in Colorado?

Under C.R.S. § 38-12-102.5, Colorado limits security deposits to no more than two months' rent for residential lease agreements.

What is the security deposit return deadline in Colorado?

Under C.R.S. § 38-12-103(1), landlords must return the security deposit within 30 calendar days after termination of the lease or surrender of the premises, unless the lease specifies a longer period, which cannot exceed 60 calendar days.

What changed for Colorado security deposits in 2026 under HB25-1249?

Effective January 1, 2026, HB25-1249 requires landlords to provide documentation (photos, inspection reports, receipts, invoices, estimates) within 14 days of a tenant's request, establishes the tenant's right to a move-out walkthrough inspection upon request, generally treats ordinary uncleanliness as normal wear and tear, prohibits full carpet or paint replacement charges for partial damage, presumes bad faith when deductions exceed 125% of actual damages, and authorizes electronic deposit refunds with tenant consent.

Can a Colorado landlord charge full carpet replacement under the 2026 law?

No. Under HB25-1249, Colorado landlords cannot charge tenants full carpet or paint replacement costs for partial damage. Furthermore, landlords cannot deem carpet irreparably damaged or assess replacement charges if the carpet has not been replaced with new carpet within the 10 years preceding lease termination or surrender.

What is the penalty for wrongfully withholding a Colorado security deposit?

Under C.R.S. § 38-12-103(3)(a), willful retention of a security deposit in violation of statutory rules entitles the tenant to recover treble damages (three times the amount wrongfully withheld) plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs, provided the tenant serves a 7-day demand notice prior to filing suit.

How much notice is required to terminate a month-to-month lease in Colorado?

Under C.R.S. § 13-40-107(1)(c), either party may terminate a periodic month-to-month tenancy by delivering at least 21 calendar days' written notice before the end of the rental period.

Are there statutory limits on late fees in Colorado?

Yes. Under C.R.S. § 38-12-105, late fees cannot exceed $50.00 or 5% of the amount of the past-due rent obligation (whichever is greater), and landlords must provide a mandatory 7-calendar-day grace period before charging any fee.

Official Colorado Statutes & Legal Sources

  • • C.R.S. § 38-12-102.5 — Security deposit cap (maximum of two months' rent).
  • • C.R.S. § 38-12-103 — Return timeline (30 calendar days / max 60 days), 7-day demand letter, and treble damages remedy.
  • • HB25-1249 (Official Signed Bill PDF) — Tenant Security Deposit Protections (effective Jan 1, 2026; 14-day documentation rule, walkthrough inspection rights, wear-and-tear standards, 125% bad faith presumption, electronic refunds).
  • • C.R.S. § 38-12-105 — Late fee limits ($50 or 5%) and mandatory 7-calendar-day grace period.
  • • C.R.S. § 13-40-107 — Notice to terminate periodic tenancies (21 days for month-to-month).
  • • State comparison: View rules for every state we cover in our Prorated Rent by State Directory.

Disclaimer: Informational tool only, not legal advice. Always consult your written Colorado lease agreement.