Colorado Notice to Vacate

A Colorado Notice to Vacate informs the recipient that they must surrender possession of the rental property by a specified date. Notice periods vary by reason: 10 days for non-payment of rent or certain lease violations, 21 days for standard month-to-month no-cause terminations, and 91 days for no-fault terminations involving tenants with 36 or more months of continuous occupancy. All notices must be in writing. Delivery may be personal or by posting with mailing. Governed by C.R.S. § 13-40-104 and Colorado HB21-1121 (2021 tenant protections) along with C.R.S. § 13-40-107.

Notice Type Selection Guide

Choose the notice type that matches the facts. Serving the wrong period or omitting required content can invalidate the notice.

> Deadline computation: Notice periods generally begin upon actual receipt. When notice is given by posting and mailing, add three days for mailing time in many Colorado county court practices. Always confirm local court custom., -

NOTICE TO VACATE

Date of Notice: [[Date of Notice]]

FROM (Landlord / Authorized Agent or Tenant):
[[Sender Full Name]]
[[Sender Address]]
[[City]], Colorado [[ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Sender Phone]] Email: [[Sender Email]]

TO:
[[Recipient Full Name(s)]]
AND ALL OCCUPANTS

Property Address:
[[Full Rental Property Street Address]]
[[City]], Colorado [[ZIP Code]], -

REASON FOR NOTICE

This notice is given for the following reason (check one):

☐ Non-payment of rent, 10-day pay or vacate

☐ Material lease violation (curable), 10-day cure or vacate

☐ Material lease violation (non-curable / repeated), 10-day unconditional

☐ No-cause termination of month-to-month tenancy, 21-day notice

☐ No-fault termination after 36+ months tenancy, 91-day notice

☐ Tenant-initiated termination (month-to-month), 21-day notice

Description of Reason (if applicable):
[[Specific facts, e.g. "Failure to pay rent totaling $[[Amount]] for the period(s) [[periods]]" or "Notice of intent to vacate at end of current rental period"]], -

VACATE DEADLINE

You must vacate and surrender possession of the above-described property, remove all personal belongings, return all keys and access devices, and leave the premises in a clean and undamaged condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted) on or before:

Vacate Date and Time: [[Vacate Date, end of notice period]] at 12:00 PM (noon) or by the time specified in the lease if earlier.

Failure to vacate by the deadline may result in the filing of a Forcible Entry and Detainer action in the appropriate Colorado county court., -

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Return all keys, garage openers, and access cards to [[Landlord / Agent Name]] at [[Return Address or Drop Location]].

2. Provide a written forwarding address for any security deposit accounting.

3. Schedule a move-out inspection if required by the lease or Colorado law.

Security Deposit Status: $[[Security Deposit Amount]] currently held. Final accounting and any refund will be provided within the time required by C.R.S. § 38-12-103 after surrender and receipt of forwarding address., -

*Signature of Sending Party*

________________________________________
[[Sender Full Name]]
[[Sender Title / Capacity]]
Date Signed: [[Date Signed]], -

Service of Notice

Colorado recognizes the following service methods for notices to vacate:

1. Personal delivery to the tenant or a person of suitable age and discretion residing at the property.

2. Conspicuous posting on the property combined with mailing a copy by first-class mail to the tenant at the property address.

3. Any additional method authorized by the rental agreement or Colorado court rules.

Service Method Used for This Notice:
[[Personal Delivery / Posting + Mail / Other]]

Date and Time of Service: [[Date/Time of Actual Service or Mailing]], -

Certificate of Service

I, [[Server Full Name]], state under penalty of perjury that on [[Service Date]], at approximately [[Service Time]], I served a true copy of this Colorado Notice to Vacate on [[Recipient Full Name(s)]] at [[Property Full Address]], [[City]], CO [[ZIP]] by the following method:

☐ Hand delivery to the recipient or suitable person at the property.

☐ Posting a copy in a conspicuous place on the property and mailing a copy by first-class U.S. Mail on [[Mailing Date]].

☐ Other: [[Describe authorized method]]

________________________________________
Server Signature
[[Server Printed Name]]
[[Server Address]]
[[City]], Colorado [[ZIP Code]]
Date: [[Certificate Signing Date]], -

Pre-Vacate or Pre-Filing Checklist

1. Confirm the correct notice period based on the ground and length of tenancy.

2. Verify the notice is in writing and contains all required elements (parties, address, deadline, reason where required).

3. Serve by a permitted method and complete the certificate of service.

4. Retain copies of the notice and all proof of delivery (certified mail receipts recommended).

5. For 10-day non-payment notices, confirm the amount demanded is rent only.

6. For cure notices, describe the violation and required cure action specifically.

7. For 91-day notices, confirm the tenant has 36+ months continuous occupancy.

8. Do not take any self-help measures (locks, utilities, property removal).

9. If tenant is active-duty military, consider SCRA protections before proceeding.

10. If filing court action, ensure statutory period has fully run., -

Colorado Notice to Vacate Statutory References

Disclaimer and Sources

Template, not professional legal advice. This sample notice is provided for general informational purposes. Notice periods, service rules, and court filing procedures must be confirmed against current Colorado statutes and local court practices. This notice alone does not terminate a tenancy or authorize removal of the occupant; a court order is required in most cases. Consult a licensed Colorado attorney.

Sources (as of June 2026):
- Colorado Revised Statutes §§ 13-40-104, 13-40-107, 13-40-108
- C.R.S. § 38-12-103 (Security deposits)
- C.R.S. § 38-12-402 and HB21-1121 (2021)
- Colorado county court unlawful detainer procedures
- Federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) as applicable, -

*End of Colorado Notice to Vacate*