Colorado PTSR Law: The 30-Day vs 60-Day Validity Rule (HB23-1099 & HB25-1236)

Clarifying Colorado Law: Despite early drafts of HB 25-1236, the 60-day extension was removed from the final signed bill. PTSRs remain valid for 30 days from the origination date.
Blue sign clarifying Colorado law, stating that Portable Tenant Screening Reports (PTSR) are not valid for 60 days.
Legal
January 13, 2026
Jitka Bedford

Is a Colorado portable tenant screening report valid for 60 days? While recent discussions around HB25-1236 sparked rumors of an extension, the law remains firm. This guide clarifies the Colorado PTSR expiration rules to keep landlords compliant and renters informed. Many renters and property managers now assume these reports expire after two months, although there are no official sources or regulations confirming that timeframe.

Under Colorado’s tenant screening law, HB23-1099, a Portable Tenant Screening Report is valid for thirty days from the date it was prepared. Knowing that difference helps renters avoid unnecessary screening costs and keeps landlords compliant with confidence.

The rules around tenant screening reports in Colorado may continue to evolve, but clarity is what creates progress. Understanding how PTSRs actually work means fewer fees, faster approvals, and more trust on both sides of the lease.

Mandatory Landlord Compliance: Accepting the Colorado PTSR under HB23-1099

Colorado's Portable Tenant Screening Report law (HB 23-1099) defines exactly how long a screening report remains valid. As of 2026, the 30-day window is the only legally enforceable timeframe for mandatory acceptance.

The intent is straightforward. Renters should not have to pay for multiple background checks when applying to several properties within a short timeframe. A verified PTSR lets renters reuse one report within thirty days, saving money and reducing screening delays. For property managers, it ensures compliance with state regulations and simplifies the application process.

Here’s the exact language from the statute:

“A landlord shall accept from an applicant a portable tenant screening report that has been prepared within the previous thirty days…”

The law is clear. Colorado does not recognize a 60-day rule, and any PTSR older than 30 days may be declined under current state law.

The confusion often stems from HB25-1236, a bill designed to update rental standards. While early drafts of legislative updates in Colorado often propose extending report windows, the final signed act maintained the 30-day standard. Following a PTSP compliant tenant screening process means sticking to the 30-day window until a formal amendment is published in the Colorado Revised Statutes.

Why Colorado’s Tenant Screening Law Doesn’t Include a 60-Day Rule

So where did the idea of a 60-day Portable Tenant Screening Report come from?

This misunderstanding developed over time through outdated templates, older screening practices, and misinterpretations that persisted after the law changed. Several factors contributed to the confusion:

  • Pre-HB23-1099 policies: Before the law took effect, some property management companies created internal “freshness” standards for reports. In a few cases, those policies allowed reports to remain valid for up to 60 days, though no state law ever required it.

  • Out-of-state standards: In other parts of the country, tenant reports can stay valid for 60 days or more. Some national screening providers carried those settings into Colorado without realizing the difference.

  • Vague past language: Earlier rental codes used general phrases like “reasonable time” to describe report age. Many in the industry assumed that meant roughly two months.

These overlapping practices created a wave of misinformation. Renters started hearing that reports lasted longer than they legally do, and property managers were left uncertain about what they had to accept.

The reality is straightforward. Colorado law currently defines a 30-day validity period for Portable Tenant Screening Reports. Any move to extend that window to 60 days would require a new bill or formal legislative update and extending the expiration time with the data supplier, the credit bureau. For a complete breakdown of the current active legislation, see our Guide to Colorado Tenant Screening Reform which covers both HB23-1099 and the finalized version of HB25-1236.

For now, clarity is the simplest compliance tool. Renters should keep track of when their report was issued, and landlords should verify the date before making a decision. When both sides stay aligned, renting becomes faster, fairer, and easier for everyone. However, tenant screening reports from Portable Tenant cannot be shared or viewed after the report expired 30 days from origination so both landlords and tenants comply automatically. 

How Landlords Verify a Colorado Portable Tenant Screening Report

To stay compliant with Colorado PTSR regulations, landlords should follow these three steps:

  1. Check the Timestamp: Ensure the report was "originated" within the last 30 days.
  2. Verify the Source: The report must be provided directly by a reputable screening agency, not a modified screenshot from the tenant.
  3. Confirm All Data Points: A valid Colorado tenant screening report must include credit history, criminal background, and eviction records. If any are missing, the landlord is not legally required to waive their fee.

Why This Matters: Compliance, Trust, and Fairness

Colorado’s Portable Tenant Screening Report law was created to make renting simpler, faster, and more transparent. When everyone follows the same standard, both renters and property managers benefit.

For Renters

  • Save money: Don't let a landlord tell you your 31-day-old report is "fine" just to charge you later; stay within the 30-day window to guarantee your right to a $0-fee application.

  • Stay in control: Your background report belongs to you. You decide where and when to share it.

  • Stay informed: Knowing your rights and the 30-day timeline helps you move confidently through each application.

If you are unsure of the data included in your file, you can view a portable tenant screening sample to see exactly what landlords will receive.

For Landlords and Property Managers

  • Avoid compliance risks: Accepting valid reports within the legal window keeps you aligned with HB23-1099 and protects against potential disputes. Important: Landlords who refuse a valid 30-day report in favor of charging their own fee risk statutory damages of up to $2,500.
  • Simplify screening: Verified PTSRs eliminate redundant checks and speed up approvals, creating a smoother leasing process.

  • Strengthen credibility: Transparent, compliant practices build trust — a key advantage in Colorado’s competitive rental market.

Adopting renter-first, law-aligned screening tools isn’t an option anymore — it’s the standard for professional property management in Colorado.

Portable Tenant’s Take: Built for the Law, Not Around It

Portable Tenant was created from the ground up to align with Colorado’s HB23-1099. Every Portable Tenant Screening Report (PTSR) shared through our platform is verified, compliant, and issued within the legal 30-day window.

Our system makes compliance effortless for everyone involved in renting:

  • Renters can screen once and apply anywhere, saving time and avoiding repeated fees.

  • Landlords stay compliant with confidence, reducing paperwork and speeding up approvals.

  • Affiliates and partners can turn compliance into opportunity through built-in rewards and referral programs.

Our platform is built to be the most PTSP compliant tenant screening solution on the market, handling the 30-day countdown for you automatically.

At Portable Tenant, compliance isn’t a checkbox — it’s our foundation.

Our mission is clear: make renting transparent, simple, and fair for everyone.

Practical Takeaways

Clarity creates confidence — and a smoother rental process for everyone involved.

For Renters: Save your Portable Tenant Screening Report (PTSR) as a PDF, note the issue date, and reuse it for applications within 30 days. This keeps you in control and saves on unnecessary screening fees.

For Landlords: Review your screening policies and software to ensure they automatically verify report dates. Staying aligned with Colorado’s HB23-1099 and its update HB25-1236  that protect your business and build tenant trust.

For Everyone: Use verified, compliant platforms like Portable Tenant to simplify the process and avoid disputes. A shared standard keeps both sides protected and moving forward with ease.

For a deeper dive into the original legislation, see our full breakdown of the Tenant Screening Reform in Colorado.

The Truth, Simplified

Colorado’s tenant screening law was designed to make renting simpler, fairer, and faster. The idea of a “60-day rule” has caused confusion, but the law is clear — Portable Tenant Screening Reports are valid for 30 days under HB23-1099 and HB25-1236.Understanding that standard helps renters save money and helps property managers stay compliant without friction.

When both sides work from the same set of facts, everyone benefits.

And with trusted partners like Portable Tenant, compliance becomes more than a requirement — it becomes an advantage. Ready to generate a legally compliant report? Get your verified Portable Tenant Screening Report here and start applying to Colorado rentals today.