HB25-1236 revises Colorado’s portable tenant screening report rules for residential rental applications. The bill changes the definition of what a portable tenant screening report must include by creating an exception for applicants seeking to rent with the assistance of a housing subsidy: for those applicants, the report is not required to include a credit history report, credit score, or adverse credit event. The bill also removes a landlord’s ability to require that a portable screening report be made directly available by the consumer reporting agency or through a qualifying third-party website.
The measure applies to rental applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026. In practical terms, it limits how landlords may condition acceptance of a portable tenant screening report and reduces the amount of credit-related information that must be included for subsidy-assisted renters. The bill amends Colorado statutes governing tenant screening and landlord consideration of rental applications, specifically sections in Title 38 related to portable tenant screening reports and rental application limitations.
Impact
HB25-1236 amends Colorado Revised Statutes sections 38-12-902 and 38-12-904. It narrows the required contents of portable tenant screening reports for prospective tenants using housing subsidies and repeals a landlord option to require direct delivery of the report from a consumer reporting agency or approved third-party website. The bill affects landlords, tenants, consumer reporting agencies, and housing subsidy recipients by changing what information must be provided and how screening reports may be submitted in the rental application process.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been generally supported but somewhat divided, with several close votes in both chambers. It advanced through committee and floor consideration, but the House and Senate votes show notable opposition, suggesting the policy was contested even as it ultimately moved forward. The final concurrence on Senate amendments also passed with a clear but not overwhelming margin, indicating mixed but sufficient legislative support.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to have been the balance between tenant access to housing and landlord screening preferences. Supporters likely viewed the bill as reducing barriers for renters using housing subsidies and limiting unnecessary credit-based screening requirements, while opponents likely objected to restricting landlords’ ability to obtain or require standardized screening information and to changes that could reduce perceived risk information in the application process. The close votes suggest disagreement over whether the bill improves housing access or weakens landlord screening tools.