Colorado’s Portable Tenant Screening Report Law (HB25-1236): What Changes for Renters in 2026

If you’ve applied for rentals in Colorado, you know the drill: pay to apply, pay for screening, wait, then do it again for the next place.

Starting January 1, 2026, Colorado’s HB25-1236 updates the rules around Portable Tenant Screening Reports (PTSRs). The goal is to make it easier to reuse a recent screening report across applications instead of paying for a new one every time. (more renter resources at Rent with Clara)

This guide explains what the law means in plain English, what you can do to prepare, and where to go next if a landlord won’t accept your report.

What is a Portable Tenant Screening Report (PTSR)?

A Portable Tenant Screening Report is a tenant screening report you can take from one rental application to another.

A PTSR usually includes key screening items landlords look at, such as:

• Identity verification
• Credit history
• Criminal history
• Eviction history

If you’re applying with a housing voucher or other subsidized housing help, the rules are different (we cover that in our Section 8 article).

The big change: landlords must accept a valid PTSR

Starting Jan 1, 2026, Colorado law requires landlords to accept a valid PTSR you provide as part of your application review.

That can help:

• Cut down on repeat screening costs
• Reduce back-and-forth during applications
• Make it easier to apply to multiple places in a short window

If you want the full legal text, you can read HB25-1236 on the Colorado Legislature website.

When is a PTSR “valid”?

A PTSR has to be recent.

For this renter series, we’re using up to 60 days as the working validity window.

Practical tip: if you’re applying to multiple places, try to time your applications inside that 60-day window.

Can a landlord still run their own screening?

In many cases, yes. A landlord may still screen applicants.

The key point is this: if you provide a valid PTSR, the landlord shouldn’t ignore it and make you pay for a duplicate screening report just to apply.

If a landlord asks for extra documents, keep it simple:

• Ask what they need and why
• Keep copies of what you send
• Get requests in writing when possible

What happens to screening fees if you provide a PTSR?

A major renter benefit is the fee rule.

If you provide a valid PTSR, the landlord generally can’t charge a screening fee for that application.

If you want the practical, money-focused version (including edge cases), read: Portable Tenant Screening Reports: When They Save You Money (and When They Don’t).

What if you’re a voucher holder (Section 8 or other subsidized housing)?

If you’re applying with Section 8 or another subsidized housing program, Colorado has rules limiting the use of credit information for subsidized applicants (SB23-184), and HB25-1236 updates what a voucher-holder PTSR needs to include.

We break this down step-by-step in: Section 8 rules.

What to do now (before Jan 1, 2026)

You don’t have to wait until 2026 to get organized.

Here’s a simple prep list:

• Gather your ID documents (and keep clear photos/scans)
• Make a list of your last 2–3 landlords (names, emails, phone numbers)
• Pull your own records (credit report, rental history, pay stubs) so you’re not scrambling
• If you plan to apply soon after Jan 1, 2026, watch for listings that mention PTSRs

What to do if a landlord refuses your PTSR

If you provide a valid PTSR and a landlord refuses to accept it, don’t panic.

Start with a calm, written message:

• Confirm you provided a Portable Tenant Screening Report
• Confirm the report is within the required time window
• Ask them to explain, in writing, why they won’t accept it

If you want the full playbook (scripts + what to save), read: Colorado PTSR Timeline: When the Rules Start and What to Do if a Landlord Won’t Accept Your Report.

Some renters use tools like Rent with Clara to organize and share screening information in one reusable place.