Denver crosses 30,000 licenses issued to landlords

Denver crosses 30,000 licenses issued to landlords

Published on July 22, 2026

Denver's effort to improve rental housing safety has reached a new high point. More than 30,000 licenses have been issued under the city's residential rental licensing program-an achievement reached just 31 months after the requirement fully launched.

"This proactive model is working," said Molly Duplechian, Executive Director of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. "Instead of waiting for dangerous conditions to trigger complaints, Denver requires landlords to pass a third-party inspection up front. That means more properties meeting minimum housing standards and more accountability than ever before."

The licensing requirement, approved by City Council in 2021, became mandatory for all residential rentals on January 1, 2024. Licenses are valid for four-year terms unless ownership changes. The city began accepting applications in 2022 before the full licensing requirement went into place. Denver is now processing the first cycle of license renewals.

To boost compliance, Denver has focused on education first. 3,004 notices of violation warning letters have been issued, so unlicensed landlords have a final opportunity to get a license before fines from the city begin. Initial fines start at $150 and can reach $5,000. So far, the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection has issued $168,072 in fines to unlicensed landlords. The city has also issued 2 criminal citations in the most serious cases involving unsafe conditions and unlicensed properties in which the landlord must appear in court and can face an additional $999 fine and up to a year in jail. Additional fines as a result of public health complaints have been issued by the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE).

View DDPHE's residential health website here for links to view a breakdown of public health property complaints by address, violations by neighborhood, maps of complaints and more.

"Most landlords in Denver are responsible," Duplechian said. "This program helps us find the ones who aren't-and ensures most renters have safe, healthy homes."

Residents can report unsafe or unlicensed rentals through the city's online complaint form or by calling 311.

FAQs, including inspection details and license costs, are available here.

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