Effective Date: January 1st, 2020
Key points:
Tenant Responsibilities:
Prompt Notification: Tenants must promptly inform their landlord in writing or electronically upon discovering or reasonably suspecting the presence of bed bugs in their dwelling unit.
Landlord Responsibilities:
Inspection Timeline: Within 96 hours of receiving a tenant's notification, landlords are required to obtain an inspection of the reported dwelling unit by a qualified inspector.
Contiguous Unit Inspection: If bed bugs are confirmed, landlords must also inspect all contiguous units promptly.
Treatment Obligation: Landlords are responsible for all costs associated with the inspection and necessary treatment of bed bugs. Treatment must commence within five business days of detection.
Access and Compliance:
Notice for Entry: Landlords must provide tenants with at least 48 hours' written or electronic notice before entering a unit for inspection or treatment purposes.
Tenant Cooperation: Tenants are required to comply with reasonable measures to facilitate inspection and treatment, including preparing the unit as instructed. Failure to comply may result in the tenant being held liable for the costs of additional treatments arising from noncompliance.
Leasing and Disclosure:
Prohibition on Leasing Infested Units: Landlords are prohibited from renting out units they know or reasonably suspect to be infested with bed bugs.
Disclosure Requirements: Upon request, landlords must disclose to prospective tenants whether the unit or any contiguous unit has had a bed bug infestation within the past eight months.
This legislation aims to ensure prompt and effective responses to bed bug infestations, safeguarding the health and safety of tenants in Colorado.
