Illegal Eviction Colorado Laws
Summary
The tenant was illegally evicted from her residence by her son-in-law/landlord without proper notice. The landlord wanted to increase the rent and when the tenant refused to sign the lease, she was given a notice to quit. The landlord did not provide any written notice for the rent increase or the notice to quit, which is required by Colorado law. The tenant was forced out of her residence and her belongings were thrown onto the driveway. The tenant managed to find another place to stay but is still trying to retrieve her belongings. The tenant is considering filing a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Division and suing her landlord in small claims court.Full Conversation
I was illegally removed from my place of residence I went through Colorado Legal Services they advised they can't hear me with a lawsuit and advised that I need to contact a lawyer I only receive Social Security as my income
What were the circumstances surrounding your removal from your residence?
My son-in-law/landlord wanted to raise my rent to *.* per month I've been living there for 7 years and didn't have a lease I was paying *.* per month he wanted me to sign a lease and when I advised that I couldn't sign the lease he came back with a notice to quit
Did you receive any written notice about the rent increase or the notice to quit? In Colorado, landlords must provide written notice for both.
No I didn't get written notice for the increase in rent or the notice to quit
Did your son-in-law/landlord provide any other form of notice, such as verbal or electronic? In Colorado, written notice is generally required for rent increases and notices to quit.
No
What date were you asked to leave your residence? In Colorado, landlords must provide a *-day notice for termination without cause.
On July *,* I have a heart condition and I was in the house on July *,* I was using the bathroom and had my walker in the hallway he came into the house using his key and when he saw me he started yelling and coercing me to get out I've asked him for a few more days since I was in the process of getting an apartment he started throwing my things out onto the driveway
Did you manage to find another place to stay or are you currently homeless?
I did manage to find another place to stay
Did you manage to document or record any of these incidents, particularly the forced eviction?
No I was too scared since he was behind me but I was able to grab my medication and a couple of things out of my closet also had Arvada police do a civil stanby a couple of times but my landlord didn't allow me to go back into the residence and changed the key and the code to the garage door opener also I'm still trying to get the rest of my belongings off the driveway
Did you inform the police about your landlord changing the locks and denying you access to your belongings? In Colorado, it's illegal for landlords to lock out tenants without a court order.
When I went to the Arvada police they it was a civil matter and advised me to go to Jefferson County but I was able to get * civil standbys but they could only stay about * minutes at a time while my landlord was throwing my belongings in black plastic bags that are too heavy for me to pick up
Did you manage to contact a lawyer or any legal aid organization in Jefferson County as advised by the Arvada police?
In Colorado, landlords cannot forcibly evict tenants without a court order.
In Colorado, landlords cannot forcibly evict tenants without a court order.
I went to Jefferson county and they said they couldn't help unless there was a court order I contacted the Colorado Legal Services and was advised by letter that they couldn't help me due to funding but with the letter h
What is the current status of your belongings that were left on the driveway?
In Colorado, landlords cannot dispose of a tenant's belongings without proper notice and procedure.
In Colorado, landlords cannot dispose of a tenant's belongings without proper notice and procedure.
Some ar
What happened to the belongings that were left on the driveway?
They are starting
What happened to your belongings that were left on the driveway?
There still on the driveway I have leased a storage unit and still going through what is missing or destroyed but unable to get belongings I have tried to get all
Have you considered filing a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Division or a local tenant's rights organization?
I want to be able to sue my landlord for the illegal lock out and small claims court
What is the location of your previous residence? This will help me provide you with the contact details of the nearest small claims court.
Jefferson County
What is the exact address of your previous residence in Jefferson County? This will help me provide you with the contact details of the nearest small claims court.
* Lynn DR Arvada CO
What is the current status of your health and living conditions?
For your case, you might want to consider:
- Filing a complaint with Colorado Civil Rights Division
- Contacting Jefferson County Small Claims Court at (*) *-*, located at * Jefferson County Pkwy, Golden, CO *.
For your case, you might want to consider:
- Filing a complaint with Colorado Civil Rights Division
- Contacting Jefferson County Small Claims Court at (*) *-*, located at * Jefferson County Pkwy, Golden, CO *.
I know where small claims is and they will be closing at noon today I'm still taking medication for heart and blood thinner and I'm currently in an apartment how do I contact Colorado Civil Rights Division?
You can contact the Colorado Civil Rights Division at (*) *-* or visit their office at * Broadway, Suite *, Denver, CO *.
Will they be able to assist me with my case?
The Colorado Civil Rights Division can provide guidance and investigate complaints. However, for legal representation, you may need to consult a lawyer or legal aid service.