Cal. Civ. Code § 38-12-101
Legislative declaration.
Operative Text
This part 1 shall be liberally construed to implement the intent of the general assembly to ensure the proper administration of security deposits and late fees and protect the interests of tenants, mobile home owners, and landlords.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-101 sets out the overarching purpose behind Colorado's security deposit and late fee rules: the law is meant to be read broadly and generously to carry out the legislature's goal of fair, orderly administration of these financial arrangements. Courts and agencies interpreting the statute are directed to favor readings that advance tenant, mobile home owner, and landlord protections alike. This declaration shapes how every other provision in Part 1 of the statute is understood and applied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Because Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-101 calls for liberal construction of Part 1, landlords and property managers generally benefit from understanding that ambiguities in the security deposit and late fee rules will be resolved in light of the legislature's intent to ensure proper administration—not in favor of any one party by default. Operators who maintain clear, well-documented practices around deposit collection, handling, and return are better positioned when questions of interpretation arise. Familiarity with the full scope of Part 1 is a practical starting point for compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-101 signals that the security deposit and late fee protections in Part 1 are designed to be read broadly in ways that protect tenant and mobile home owner interests, not narrowly or technically. Tenants who believe a landlord has mishandled a deposit or improperly charged a late fee can point to this legislative declaration as context when raising a concern, filing a complaint, or seeking guidance from a tenant-rights organization. Understanding that the statute is meant to be liberally construed can be relevant when exploring available remedies under the rest of Part 1.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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