Denver Cracks Down on Unlicensed Landlords with Increased Fines

City teams up licensing and health departments to enforce rental property rules

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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More than two years after Denver began requiring residential rental licenses, the city is increasing penalties for landlords who have not complied. The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection has teamed up with the health department to strengthen enforcement, with automatic $250 fines for properties with public health violations that lack a license. Penalties can escalate to $5,000 and include jail time. About 5,000 non-compliant properties have been identified, with an estimated $150,000 in fines issued to date.

Why it matters

The new enforcement efforts aim to ensure Denver's rental properties meet safety standards and that landlords comply with the city's licensing requirements, which were put in place over two years ago. The crackdown comes as some tenants continue to report issues like lack of heat and hot water at unlicensed properties.

The details

Under the new rules, if a property has a public health violation and is operating without a license, the landlord faces an automatic $250 fine. Penalties can escalate to as much as $5,000 and may include jail time. The city has identified about 5,000 non-compliant properties and issued an estimated $150,000 in fines so far. One property, The Raven (formerly The Felix), has received over $50,000 in fines but tenants say conditions have not improved.

  • The rental license requirement took effect over two years ago in Denver.
  • The increased enforcement and fines went into effect on March 4, 2026.

The players

Denver Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection

The city agency responsible for enforcing the residential rental license requirements and coordinating with the health department on inspections and fines.

Denver Metro Tenants Union

An advocacy group representing tenants, who believes fines alone are not enough and that a system allowing tenants to pay rent into a designated account for repairs may be a better solution.

The Raven (formerly The Felix)

An apartment complex that has received over $50,000 in fines from the city but where tenants say conditions have not improved.

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What they’re saying

“What we want to do is see landlords get the required license, which comes with passing an inspection and paying a small fee. That license is good for four years, and it helps us achieve our goal of making sure Denver has the safest rental properties in America.”

— Eric Escudero, Denver Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (cbsnews.com)

“If you're a landlord and it's been over two years since this license requirement took effect and you're still refusing to get that inspection and license, the city is left with no choice but to issue a fine. We can even issue a criminal citation that puts a landlord in court facing criminal penalties.”

— Eric Escudero, Denver Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (cbsnews.com)

“Even after those penalties have increased, I still have tenants who do not have heat, who do not have hot water. Tenants are taking showers at rec centers before work.”

— Eida Altman, Denver Metro Tenants Union (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

City officials say the coordinated effort between the health department and the licensing and consumer protection agency is designed to root out the worst offenders and keep residents in the Mile High City safe. The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the landlord of The Raven apartment complex to continue operating without a license.

The takeaway

Denver's crackdown on unlicensed landlords highlights the ongoing challenge of ensuring rental properties meet safety standards, even after new rules are put in place. While increased fines may motivate some landlords to comply, advocates argue that a system allowing tenants to pay rent into a designated account for repairs may be a more effective solution to address persistent issues at non-compliant properties.