Typical residential security deposit amount a landlord holds and later accounts for on a return statement in Colorado (2026)
A typical Colorado range, the local factors behind it, and the tools to price your own project.
Reviewed for 2026, updated September 8, 2026.
What drives the cost in Colorado
Colorado deposits tend to run above the national typical range in Denver, Boulder, and the mountain resort towns, and closer to it on the Eastern Plains and in Pueblo. State law is commonly cited as giving landlords 30 days to return the deposit (up to 60 if the lease says so) and allowing treble damages for willful retention; Colorado historically set no statewide cap, but the legislature has been active on rental issues, so confirm the current law. Hail, heavy snow loads, and dry high-altitude air that cracks caulk and dries out wood floors produce damage that is climate driven rather than tenant driven.
Tips for Colorado buyers
- Photograph exterior doors, decks, and windows after each hail season so storm damage is not mistaken for tenant damage at move-out.
- Ski-town leases often end in April and October; plan inspections around those two windows.
- If your lease extends the return period to 60 days, keep a copy of that clause with the statement in case it is challenged.
Ranges are hedged planning estimates derived from a national typical range and a local index, not quotes. A typical single deposit on a market-rate residential rental is commonly around one month's rent, which puts most deposits somewhere in this range; actual amounts vary widely with local rents, unit size, pets, and state caps, and this is a working reference rather than a survey figure.
Price your project
- Deposit Deduction Depreciation Calculator: Estimates how much of a carpet, paint, blind, or appliance replacement a landlord can fairly deduct from a security deposit once the item's age and normal wear are taken into account.
- Security Deposit Refund Statement Calculator: Adds up the deposit held, any interest owed, and each itemized deduction to show the exact refund due to the tenant or the balance the tenant still owes.
- Late Deposit Return Penalty Exposure Calculator: Shows landlords how many days remain before a state return deadline and what missing it could cost when a statute allows forfeited deductions or multiplied damages.