Colorado Move-In / Move-Out Checklist (2026)
Free move-in / move-out inspection checklist: every room and appliance, keys and meters, your state's deposit-return deadline — signed by both sides so deposit deductions hold up.
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What this document covers
- Room-by-room condition at move-in and move-out, side by side
- Kitchen appliances, bathrooms, bedrooms, systems and safety devices
- Keys, remotes and meter readings handed over
- Your state's inspection rule and deposit-return deadline
- Columns for repair cost at move-out
- Signatures of landlord and tenant at both inspections
Colorado rules that this document follows
| Move-in inspection rule | No statute requires a written move-in record — do one anyway; it is the evidence in any deposit dispute |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 30 days after move-outSource: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-103(1) (30 days, or up to 60 days if lease specifies; HB 25-1249 eff. 1/1/2026) |
| Security deposit limit | No statutory limitSource: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-102.5 (SB 23-184); pet deposit ≤ $300 (§ 38-12-106) |
| Statute | Colorado Revised Statutes Title 38, Article 12 (Tenants and Landlords) |
Rules current as of 2026-10-06. Statutes change; verify before relying on them.
How to use this Move-In / Move-Out Checklist in Colorado
Walk the unit together before any boxes come in. Mark every item, write defects in words, and take dated photos of each one.
Both sign at move-in and each keeps a copy. At move-out, repeat the walk with the same sheet, fill the second column, and send the deposit or itemized deductions within 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Is a move-in checklist required in Colorado?
No Colorado statute requires one, but without a signed move-in record the landlord usually cannot prove that damage was not there before — which is why courts side with tenants in deposit disputes. Do it anyway.
When must the deposit be returned in Colorado?
Within 30 days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized list of any deductions (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-103(1) (30 days, or up to 60 days if lease specifies; HB 25-1249 eff. 1/1/2026)).
What counts as normal wear and tear?
Faded paint, minor scuffs, worn carpet in walkways and loose grout are wear and tear and cannot be deducted. Holes in walls, broken blinds, pet stains, burns and missing fixtures are damage. The checklist with photos is how you tell the two apart.
Other names
- move in checklist
- move out checklist
- move-in inspection form
- rental inspection checklist
- tenant move in checklist
- apartment inspection checklist
- landlord move out inspection form
- condition of rental property checklist
- walk through checklist
Related documents
- Residential Lease Agreement — Colorado
- Room Rental Agreement — Colorado
- Residential Sublease Agreement — Colorado
- Commercial Lease Agreement — Colorado
- All Colorado forms →
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FormsByState provides self-help document templates and general information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm. For advice about your situation consult a licensed attorney in your state.
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