How misinformation turned Colorado’s 30-day PTSR rule into a 60-day myth

If you’ve heard that Colorado now allows portable tenant screening reports to be “valid for 60 days,” you’re not alone.

That claim has been circulating widely since HB25-1236 was signed in 2025. It’s shown up in AI summaries, blog posts, and even some industry conversations. The problem is simple: it’s not what the law actually says.

This post clears up where the 60-day myth came from, why it spread, and what the updated law really changes for renters and property managers — in plain language.

The short answer

Colorado law still allows property managers to require that a portable tenant screening report be completed within the previous 30 days.

HB25-1236 did not extend the validity window to 60 days.

If that sounds surprising given what you’ve read elsewhere, that’s exactly why this clarification matters.

Where the 60-day claim came from

Much of the confusion traces back to secondary summaries of HB25-1236, especially AI-generated bill explanations.

One widely shared summary stated that the bill:

• “Increases the timeframe for the validity of the screening report from 30 days to 60 days.”

That language sounds authoritative. It’s also incorrect.

When you read the signed bill itself, there is no provision that changes the 30-day timeframe for portable tenant screening reports. The statutory language that allows a landlord to require a report completed within the previous 30 days remains intact.

This is a good example of how legislative summaries can accidentally create misinformation:

• Early drafts and committee discussions sometimes include ideas that don’t make it into the final bill.

• AI summaries may infer changes based on partial context or similar laws.

• Once a number like “60 days” appears in a summary, it tends to spread quickly.

None of that changes what actually governs renters and property managers: the text of the signed law.

What Colorado law actually says about PTSR timing

Under Colorado’s portable tenant screening law, a property manager may require:

• that a portable tenant screening report was completed within the previous 30 days.

That standard comes from the original portable screening statute and was not amended by HB25-1236.

In other words:

• Thirty days is still the legal window

• Reports older than 30 days may be declined

• There is no statewide 60-day rule in effect

If Colorado ever extends that window, it will require a clear statutory change — not a summary or interpretation.

What HB25-1236 actually changed

So if HB25-1236 didn’t extend the timeline, what did it do?

The bill focused on how screening reports are treated for renters using housing subsidies and on tightening consumer protections. Key updates include:

Clarifying credit requirements for subsidized renters

For renters using housing subsidies, the law now makes clear that a portable tenant screening report does not need to include:

• a credit score,

• a full credit history report, or

• adverse credit events.

This change is about reducing barriers — not changing how long a report is usable.

Removing certain delivery requirements

Earlier versions of the law allowed property managers to require reports to be made available directly through a specific consumer reporting agency or third-party website.

HB25-1236 removed that language, giving renters more flexibility in how valid reports are shared, as long as the report still meets the legal criteria.

Defining “adverse credit event”

The bill also added a clearer statutory definition of what counts as an adverse credit event, bringing more consistency to how credit information is discussed and evaluated.

What it did not do is change the 30-day standard.

Why this distinction matters

When timelines are misunderstood, renters are the ones who feel it first.

If someone believes reports last 60 days when the law still says 30:

• renters may submit reports they think are valid, only to be told they’re too old;

• property managers may rely on incorrect guidance and drift out of compliance;

• unnecessary screening fees and delays creep back into the process.

Portable screening only works when everyone is operating from the same, accurate rules.

A quick reminder about acceptance vs. approval

One more point that often gets tangled up in these conversations:

• Acceptance of a portable tenant screening report is not the same as approval of an application.

Colorado law requires property managers to accept a valid portable report in most cases.

Property managers still:

• apply their own screening criteria,

• review the information, and

• decide whether to offer a lease.

The law removes duplicate fees — not decision-making authority.

How to protect yourself from screening misinformation

Whether you’re a renter or a property manager, a few habits help:

• Read the signed bill text when timing or rights really matter.

• Treat AI summaries as starting points, not sources of truth.

• Watch for exact numbers — small changes can have big effects.

When something sounds different from what you’ve heard before, it’s worth double-checking.

The bottom line

Despite what some summaries claim, Colorado’s portable tenant screening reports remain a 30-day tool.

HB25-1236 strengthened protections and clarified credit treatment for subsidized renters — but it did not create a 60-day validity window.

Clear rules are what make portable screening fair and reusable. When the facts stay straight, renters save money, property managers stay compliant, and the system works the way it was intended to.

If you ever want to verify how a rule actually works, go back to the law itself. That’s still the final word.

This post is meant to explain Colorado’s tenant screening law in plain language. It’s not legal advice, and it may not cover every situation.

If you need advice about your specific circumstances, check the law directly or consult a qualified professional.