Colorado Rental Application

This Colorado Residential Rental Application is designed for landlords, property managers, and leasing agents to collect consistent, legally compliant information from prospective tenants while adhering to Colorado and federal requirements.

Key Colorado legal framework:
- HB 19-1106: Application fees must not exceed the landlord's actual costs of processing and screening; landlords must provide written notice of the screening criteria before accepting any fee; the fee must be the same for all applicants for the same dwelling unit (or units offered by the same landlord); landlords must make good-faith effort to refund any unused portion within 20 days.
- FCRA (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.): Required disclosures and authorization when obtaining consumer reports (credit, background).
- Federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.) and Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act / fair housing laws prohibit discrimination on protected bases including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, and (in many Colorado jurisdictions including Denver) source of income.
- All screening criteria must be objective, uniformly applied, and documented to avoid disparate-impact claims.

All variable user inputs are shown as [[Token Name]] placeholders. Fixed statutory language and required notices are written in full., -

Section 1, Property and Landlord Information

COLORADO RESIDENTIAL RENTAL APPLICATION

Application Date: [[Application Date]]

Property Address: [[Full Property Street Address]], [[City]], Colorado [[ZIP Code]]
Unit / Apt # (if applicable): [[Unit Number or "N/A"]]
Advertised Monthly Rent: $[[Monthly Rent]]
Security Deposit Amount: $[[Security Deposit Amount]]
Other Required Fees (if any): [[e.g., pet fee, parking, list or "None"]]
Desired Lease Start Date: [[Desired Move-In / Lease Start Date]]
Lease Term Requested: [[12 months / Month-to-month / Other term]]

Landlord or Property Manager:
[[Landlord / Property Management Company Full Name]]
[[Mailing Address]], [[City]], Colorado [[ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Phone Number]] | Email: [[Email Address]], -

Section 2, Applicant Information

*Each adult (18+) who will reside in the unit must submit a separate application. Incomplete applications may be rejected.*

Applicant 1 (Primary)

Additional Applicants / Occupants (18+)

List all other adults who will live in the unit:

1. [[Full Legal Name of Co-Applicant 2]], DOB [[MM/DD/YYYY]], Phone [[Phone]]

2. [[Full Legal Name of Co-Applicant 3]], DOB [[MM/DD/YYYY]], Phone [[Phone]]

All minors (under 18) who will reside: [[Number and ages, or "None"]]

Emergency Contact (not residing at property):
Name: [[Emergency Contact Full Name]]
Relationship: [[Relationship]]
Phone: [[Phone Number]], -

Section 3, Residency History (Last 3 Years Minimum)

Provide complete history. Use additional pages if needed.

Most Recent Prior Residence (if different from current):

Second Most Recent Residence:

Third Most Recent Residence (or explain gap):

[[Address or "N/A, see explanation"]]
[[Dates, landlord, rent, reason or gap explanation]], -

Section 4, Employment and Income Verification

Current Employer 1:

Current Employer 2 (if applicable): [[Details or "N/A"]]

Other Monthly Income Sources (alimony, child support, SSI, retirement, housing assistance, etc.):

[[Source and amount, or "None"]]

Total Combined Gross Monthly Household Income: $[[Total Gross Monthly Income]]

Income-to-Rent Ratio (for landlord use): [[Gross Monthly Income]] / [[Monthly Rent]] = [[Ratio]]x, -

Section 5, Credit, Background, and Screening Authorization (FCRA Compliant)

IMPORTANT, CONSUMER REPORT DISCLOSURE AND AUTHORIZATION

In connection with this application, the landlord or its agent may obtain one or more consumer reports (credit report, criminal background check, eviction history, or other permissible reports under the Fair Credit Reporting Act).

• This is a consumer report as defined by the FCRA.
• The report will be used solely for the purpose of evaluating this rental application.
• If the landlord takes adverse action (denial, higher deposit, or other) based in whole or in part on information in a consumer report, the applicant will receive a copy of the report and a summary of rights under the FCRA, and the name and address of the consumer reporting agency that furnished the report.

Authorization: By signing below, I/we authorize the landlord and its screening agents to obtain consumer reports, verify the information provided herein (including employment, income, rental history, and references), and contact current and former landlords, employers, and other references. I/we release all parties from liability for providing such information.

I/we certify that all information in this application is true and complete to the best of my/our knowledge. I/we understand that false or incomplete information may result in denial or termination of tenancy.

Applicant 1 Signature / Date: _______________________________ Date: [[Date]]

Applicant 2 Signature / Date: _______________________________ Date: [[Date]], -

Section 6, Application / Screening Fee Disclosure and Payment (HB 19-1106)

Colorado law (HB 19-1106) strictly regulates rental application fees.

• A landlord may not charge a prospective tenant a rental application fee unless the fee is used entirely to cover the landlord's actual costs of processing and screening the application.
• The fee charged to any applicant for a particular dwelling unit must be the same amount as charged to every other applicant for that unit (or for units offered by the same landlord).
• Before accepting any fee, the landlord must provide the prospective tenant with written notice of the screening criteria that will be used.
• The landlord must provide either (a) a disclosure of anticipated expenses for which the fee will be used, or (b) an itemization of actual expenses incurred.
• Any unused portion of the fee must be refunded in good faith within 20 days.

Screening Fee Amount Charged: $[[Application / Screening Fee Amount]]

This fee covers (actual costs only): [[e.g., credit report $X, background check $Y, administrative processing $Z, itemized or anticipated]]

Written Notice of Screening Criteria Provided? [[Yes, see Section 7 / Attached / No, do not proceed without providing criteria]]

Method of Payment: [[Check / Money Order / Online Portal / Cashier's Check]]

Payment Received Date: [[Date]]

Refund Policy: Any unused portion of this fee will be refunded within 20 days of determination that screening is complete or application withdrawn. Refund will be sent to [[Applicant Name]] at [[Refund Address or Original Payment Method]].

Landlord Certification: I certify that the fee charged does not exceed actual screening costs and that the same fee is charged to all applicants for this unit.

Landlord / Agent Signature: _______________________________ Date: [[Date]], -

Section 7, Screening Criteria (Objective, Uniformly Applied)

Landlord uses the following objective criteria. All applicants are evaluated using the same standards. Denial or conditions may result if criteria are not met. Criteria are subject to fair-housing individualized assessment requirements (especially for criminal history).

1. Income: Combined gross monthly household income must equal or exceed [[e.g., 3.0]] times the monthly rent. Housing assistance / vouchers count toward income where required by law or local ordinance.

2. Credit History: Minimum credit score of [[e.g., 620]] or equivalent risk assessment. Bankruptcies, collections, or judgments within [[e.g., 7 years]] will be reviewed individually. Medical debt and student loans may receive less weight per best practices.

3. Rental / Eviction History: No evictions or unlawful detainer actions within the last [[e.g., 5, 7 years]] that resulted in a judgment for possession or money damages to a landlord. Prior landlord references must be satisfactory (no repeated late payments, lease violations, or property damage beyond normal wear).

4. Criminal History: Convictions will be evaluated individually under HUD guidance (2016) considering: nature and severity of offense, time elapsed since conviction or release, and evidence of rehabilitation. Blanket bans on any criminal record are not used. Applicants may provide mitigating information.

5. Occupancy Limits: Maximum [[e.g., 2]] persons per bedroom, consistent with local codes and fair-housing guidance on familial status.

6. Other (pets, vehicles, smoking): [[Pet policy: e.g., max 2 pets with additional deposit/fee; vehicles limited to 2 per unit; no smoking inside per lease]]

Source of Income Protections: In jurisdictions that prohibit discrimination based on lawful source of income (including housing choice vouchers / Section 8 and other subsidies), such income will be considered on the same basis as other income., -

Section 8, Pets, Occupants, Vehicles, and Additional Information

Pets (including service / assistance animals):
[[Number, type, breed, weight, age, or "None"]]
Note: Reasonable accommodations for assistance animals are required under fair housing law regardless of pet policy. Documentation may be requested.

Vehicles to be parked on site:
[[Make / Model / Year / License Plate for each, or "None"]]

Smoking Policy Preference:
[[Non-smoker / Smoker, will comply with property rules]]

Additional Occupants or Circumstances to Disclose:
[[Any other relevant information or "None"]], -

Section 9, Fair Housing / Nondiscrimination Notice

Equal Housing Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity housing provider. We comply with the Federal Fair Housing Act and Colorado fair housing laws. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, or any other protected class under applicable federal, state, or local law (including source of income protections in Denver and other municipalities that have enacted them).

If you believe you have been discriminated against, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Colorado Civil Rights Division, or local fair housing agencies.

Screening Criteria Notice: The objective screening criteria listed in Section 7 were provided to you in writing prior to (or at the time of) payment of any application fee, in compliance with HB 19-1106., -

Section 10, Signature and Certification

I/we have read and understand this application, the fee disclosure, the FCRA authorization, and the screening criteria. I/we certify under penalty of perjury that all statements are true and complete.

Applicant 1:

Signature: _________________________________________ Date: [[Date]]

Printed Name: [[Full Legal Name]]

Applicant 2:

Signature: _________________________________________ Date: [[Date]]

Printed Name: [[Full Legal Name]]

Landlord / Authorized Agent Acknowledgment of Receipt:

Signature: _________________________________________ Date: [[Date]]

Printed Name / Title: [[Landlord or Agent Name / Title]], -

Section 11, Attachments and Next Steps (Landlord Use)

• [ ] Copy of written screening criteria provided to applicant before fee accepted (HB 19-1106)
• [ ] Itemized or anticipated cost disclosure for fee
• [ ] FCRA adverse action notice template (if denial occurs)
• [ ] Tenant screening report(s) ordered [[Date]]
• [ ] References contacted [[Date(s)]]
• [ ] Decision: [[Approved / Approved with conditions / Denied]] Date: [[Date]]

If approved: Lease will be prepared using [[Lease Start Date]]; move-in inspection scheduled.

If denied or conditional: Applicant will receive required FCRA notices and, where applicable, opportunity to provide additional information., -

Sources (as of June 2026)

• HB 19-1106 (C.R.S. provisions governing rental application fees and disclosures)
• Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.)
• Federal Fair Housing Act
• Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act / fair housing provisions; local source-of-income ordinances (Denver and others)
• HUD Guidance on criminal background screening in housing (2016)
• C.R.S. landlord-tenant statutes as referenced in VERIFICATION-STANDARD (June 2026)

> ⚠️ Template example, not professional (legal/financial/medical) advice. This application form and guidance are samples. Verify compliance with current Colorado law, local ordinances, and your specific practices before use. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified property management professional. All user inputs use [[Token Name]] format., -

End of Colorado Rental Application