Colorado Emotional Support Animal Evaluations and Guides
When HUD stepped back from untrained emotional support animals, Colorado wrote the protection into state law. This page explains what that means for renters, who may write documentation in Colorado, and where to find each of our thirty Colorado guides.
State protection for ESAs
Colorado law counts emotional support animals as assistance animals in housing.
In-person meeting rule
Most non-physician licensees must meet the patient in person before a finding.
Penalties after a warning
Misrepresentation fines rise with repeat offenses.
What HB 26-1045 Put Into Colorado Law
Signed May 28, 2026, the act restores protections HUD's guidance used to provide and amends the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act.
Emotional support animals are defined as assistance animals that relieve a symptom or effect of a disability.
Allowing the animal is presumed a reasonable accommodation after an interactive process.
A total ban on assistance animals is presumed discriminatory.
Mere presence is not a direct threat; documented, specific conduct may be weighed.
Who May Write a Colorado Housing Finding
Colorado's licensing statutes set a meeting requirement before a licensee makes a written assistance animal finding.
Mental health licensees and nurses
Psychologists, counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, addiction counselors and nurses (C.R.S. 12-245-229 and 12-255-133) must have met the patient in person and know the patient and condition.
Physicians
Under C.R.S. 12-240-144, a physician may meet the patient in person or by telemedicine. A written finding from a licensee is an affirmative defense to a misrepresentation charge.
Colorado's Misrepresentation Fines
Under C.R.S. 18-13-107.3, a prior written or verbal warning comes first. After that, fines climb.
Pet Charges Colorado Landlords Can and Cannot Make
C.R.S. 38-12-106 caps pet charges, and 24-34-803 bars extra charges for trained service animals.
Search All Thirty Colorado Guides
Type a city, condition or topic.
Conditions and people
Anxiety Depression Bipolar disorder Veterans and PTSD Psychiatric service dogs College studentsNo guide matches that yet. Try a shorter word, or browse the Colorado statute guide.
Colorado Complaint Deadlines
The Colorado Civil Rights Division enforces the anti-discrimination act. Its deadlines depend on the setting.
Plans for Colorado Residents
Start with the Free Screening, then compare the plans below. Prices load live from our pricing system.
Six Colorado Questions, Answered
Are emotional support animals protected in Colorado housing in 2026?
Yes. HB 26-1045, in effect since August 12, 2026, treats emotional support animals as assistance animals under Colorado's anti-discrimination law, so state protection continues even though HUD narrowed its own enforcement.
Can a Colorado counselor write an ESA letter after a video visit only?
Not under Colorado's licensing statutes. Psychologists, counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists and nurses must have met the patient in person before making a housing assistance animal finding. Physicians may meet in person or by telemedicine.
What is the fine for faking an assistance animal in Colorado?
After a prior warning, knowingly misrepresenting an assistance animal in housing carries a $25 fine for a first offense, $50 to $200 for a second and $100 to $500 for later offenses.
How much can a Colorado landlord charge for a pet?
For ordinary pets, an extra pet deposit is capped at $300 and must be refundable, and monthly pet rent is capped at the greater of $35 or 1.5% of rent. Trained service animals cannot be charged extra.
Where do Colorado tenants file a housing complaint?
The Colorado Civil Rights Division accepts housing complaints within one year. Denver properties can also go to the Denver Anti-Discrimination Office within 180 days.
Can a landlord deny an assistance animal because of its breed in Colorado?
The 2026 law says an assistance animal's mere presence is not a direct threat, and a landlord may weigh documented, specific conduct. The act does not mention breed by name, so breed-only denials are weak but not expressly banned.
Colorado Resources on Our Site
General information for Colorado residents, current as of September 2026, and not legal advice. A clinical evaluation does not guarantee documentation or a landlord's approval. For a mental health crisis, call or text 988 for the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line.
Colorado Protection Starts With Real Documentation
See whether an evaluation with a licensed clinician fits your situation.
