How Long Colorado Landlords Have to Return Your Security Deposit
What the timeline really is, and what delays usually signal
You moved out, cleaned the unit, and completed the rental walkthrough. Now comes the waiting. For many renters in Denver, Aurora, and surrounding areas, this is where confusion starts. How long can a landlord legally hold your security deposit, and what does it mean when the deadline quietly passes?
The Real Question: When should you actually expect your deposit back — and what can you do when the deadline passes without a response?
Colorado's Legal Timeline for Returning Deposits
In Colorado, landlords generally have 30 days to return your security deposit. A lease can extend that window, but it cannot exceed 60 days. If any portion of the deposit is withheld, the landlord must provide an itemized explanation.
For official guidance straight from the state, the Colorado renters' rights summary outlines deposit timelines and landlord responsibilities in plain language.
Pro Insight: When deposits are delayed, it's rarely about paperwork. In our experience, delays usually happen when a landlord is still deciding which cleaning or damage charges they think they can justify after the fact.
That's why many deposit disputes overlap with the same issues covered in what landlords can legally deduct from your deposit in Colorado.
What You Should Receive If Money Is Withheld
If deductions are taken, the statement should clearly explain why. Vague charges like "general cleaning" or "standard turnover" are where problems usually start.
- Specific areas that required cleaning or repair — Not vague blanket charges
- Charges that align with what was actually noted during the walkthrough — Not surprise items
- Clear amounts, not bundled fees — Each deduction should be itemized separately
Renters who documented properly during move-out are far better positioned here, especially those who followed guidance like preparing for a Colorado rental walkthrough.
What It Usually Means When the Deadline Passes
If the deadline comes and goes without your deposit or an itemized statement, that's not something to ignore. At that point, the issue shifts from waiting to accountability.
Real Example: We regularly hear from Denver renters who assumed deposit delays were "normal" and waited quietly. One renter told us they didn't realize the 30-day deadline mattered until weeks had passed. After sending a simple email asking for an itemized statement, the deposit showed up shortly after. Until then, they thought waiting was their only option.
This pattern is common. Once tenants signal that they understand the timeline and expect documentation, things often move quickly.
What to Do If Your Deposit Is Still Missing
If the deadline has passed, keep your response calm and written. Reference the lease, the statutory timeline, and request the deposit or itemized statement. Avoid phone-only conversations — always follow up in writing.
Your written request should include:
- The date your lease ended
- The amount of your original deposit
- Reference to the 30-day (or 60-day) timeline in your lease
- A clear request for either the full deposit or an itemized deduction list
Professional Advantage: Professional cleaning can help here, not because it guarantees a return, but because it removes one of the most common excuses used to delay or reduce deposits. When you have a receipt showing professional-grade work, landlords have less room to argue.
Work With a Local Team You Can Trust
Trusted Choice Cleaning is a 2025 Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave. We help renters leave homes inspection-ready with flat-rate pricing, detailed checklists, and documentation that holds up when it matters. No hidden fees, no surprises — just the clean that protects your deposit.
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