LE LeaseRuleCalc

Colorado Rent Late Fee & Grace Period Calculator

Verified Primary Statute: C.R.S. § 38-12-105 · Last Checked: Spot a law update? Report it
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Colorado Legal AssessmentGrace Period Active (No Fee Due)
Maximum Statutory Late Fee:

$0.00

Payment falls within Colorado's mandatory 7-day statutory grace period (C.R.S. § 38-12-105). No late fee may be charged until Day 9.

Statutory Grace Period:7 days (Earliest fee: Day 9)
Days Past Statutory Due Date:5 days
Fee Charged by Landlord:$75.00
Unlawful Overcharge:+$75.00
Governing Authority:C.R.S. § 38-12-105

Colorado Late Fee Laws at a Glance (C.R.S. § 38-12-105)

Under C.R.S. § 38-12-105(1), a landlord cannot charge a late fee until rent is at least 7 calendar days past due. If rent is due on the 1st, a late fee cannot be charged until the 8th of the month.

Mandatory Grace Period 7 days (Earliest fee: Day 9)
Maximum Statutory Fee Limit Under C.R.S. § 38-12-105(1), late fees cannot exceed the greater of $50 or 5% of the past-due rent amount. Landlords are barred from charging interest on late fees or compounding them.
Written Lease Clause Required? Yes — Mandatory under state law
Primary Governing Statute C.R.S. § 38-12-105 ↗

Related Colorado Rental Compliance Tools

Key Colorado Statutory Nuances & Legal Precedents

  • 7 Calendar Days Grace: One of the strongest statutory grace periods in the country; early fees assessed on days 2-7 violate state law.
  • Statutory Penalty of $50 per Violation (C.R.S. § 38-12-105(3)): A landlord who charges an illegal late fee is liable for a statutory penalty of $50, compensatory damages, and attorney fees if not cured within 7 days of tenant notice.
  • Cannot Evict Exclusively for Late Fees: Nonpayment of a late fee alone cannot serve as the sole ground for an eviction action under Colorado law.
Worked Statutory Calculation

Denver Rental Excessive Late Fee Calculation

Monthly Rent:

$2,200

Payment Day:

Day 9

Fee Charged:

$175

Max Legal Fee:

$110

Rent of $2,200 is paid on the 9th (past the 7-day grace period). Under C.R.S. § 38-12-105, the legal maximum fee is the greater of $50 or 5% ($110). The landlord charged $175, which is $65 over the statutory cap.

Colorado Rent Late Fee & Grace Period FAQs

What is the mandatory rent grace period in Colorado?

Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 38-12-105, landlords must provide a mandatory 7 calendar-day grace period. Late fees cannot be charged until rent is 7 days past due.

What is the maximum late fee a Colorado landlord can charge?

Under C.R.S. § 38-12-105, late fees cannot exceed the greater of $50 or 5% of the amount of the past-due rent.

Can a Colorado landlord charge interest on an unpaid late fee?

No. Colorado law explicitly prohibits charging interest on late fees, and late fees cannot be compounded.

Can a landlord evict a tenant in Colorado solely for an unpaid late fee?

No. Under C.R.S. § 38-12-105, landlords cannot initiate an eviction action based solely on an unpaid late fee.