What income do landlords require in Colorado?

Income requirements are one of the most common reasons renters get denied.

They’re also one of the most confusing.

You might hear “three times the rent” from one listing, “double the rent” from another, or nothing at all until after you apply. For years, those rules varied widely depending on the property manager.

Colorado changed that.

If you’re applying for a rental in Colorado, there is now a clear legal limit on how much income a landlord can require. Knowing that limit can help you spot unfair requirements and apply with more confidence.

Let’s break it down.

Direct answer: What income do landlords require in Colorado?

In Colorado, landlords cannot require a prospective renter to have an annual income greater than 200 percent of the annual rent.

That means the maximum income requirement is two times the rent, not three. This rule comes from Senate Bill 23-184 and has been in effect since August 2023.

Example:

If rent is $1,500 per month, that’s $18,000 per year. A landlord cannot require that you earn more than $36,000 in annual income to apply.

This limit applies whenever a landlord uses income as part of their screening criteria.

People also ask: Is the “three times the rent” rule illegal in Colorado?

Yes, in most cases.

Before 2023, many landlords required renters to earn three times the rent. Under current Colorado law, that standard is no longer allowed.

If a landlord uses income to evaluate applications, they may not require income above two times the annual rent. Asking for more than that can violate state law.

This doesn’t mean a landlord must approve you if you meet the income threshold. It means they can’t set the bar higher than the law allows.

How income requirements work if you have a housing subsidy

Colorado law includes extra protections for renters who use housing subsidies, like vouchers.

If you have a subsidy, a landlord may only consider income based on the portion of rent you personally pay, not the full rent amount.

Example:

If total rent is $1,600, but your subsidy covers $1,100 and you pay $500, income requirements can only be applied to that $500 portion. Which means $500 over 24 month would be $12,000. A landlord cannot require that you earn more than $12,000 in annual income to apply.

Landlords also cannot require a credit score or penalize a lack of credit for subsidized renters unless federal law specifically requires it.

These rules are designed to prevent renters with assistance from being screened out unfairly.

What landlords can still do

It’s important to separate income limits from approval decisions.

Even with the 2x income cap:

• Property managers can still verify income

• They can still review credit, rental history, and other criteria

• They still decide whether to approve or deny an application

Meeting the income requirement doesn’t guarantee approval. It sets a legal ceiling on what landlords can ask for.

The same distinction applies to screening tools. For example, providing a valid portable tenant screening report means the report must be accepted in most cases, but it does not mean the application must be approved.

What to do if a listing seems to break the rule

If you see a listing that requires more than two times the rent in income, it’s okay to ask questions.

You can:

• Ask how income is calculated

• Ask whether the requirement reflects Colorado law

• Save screenshots or written requirements if something feels off

You don’t need to argue. Sometimes requirements are outdated. Sometimes they’re misapplied. Knowing the rule helps you decide your next step.

Can a landlord require proof of income in Colorado?

Yes. Landlords can verify income using pay stubs, tax documents, or similar records.

The law limits how much income they can require, not whether they can verify it.

Does the 2x rule apply to all rentals?

It applies whenever a landlord uses income as a screening factor. Certain income-restricted or subsidized housing programs may follow additional rules tied to their funding.

In short

In Colorado, income requirements for rentals are capped at two times the rent. Not three. Not more.

The rule was created to make housing more accessible and to stop overly strict income standards from shutting renters out.

It doesn’t guarantee approval. But it does give renters a clear, enforceable boundary. And clarity is power.