This is a question we come across a lot. In short, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” The long answer is for several reasons. Installing the right number of CO detectors throughout your rental property ensures that your Colorado rental property is safe and legally compliant. It’s a requirement that you can’t overlook. Having CO detectors installed throughout the house isn’t just a smart investment—they’re the law. Whether you’re a seasoned landlord or a new property investor, ensuring your rental has working CO detectors could save lives and protect your investment. So let’s expand on why they’re so important to have in your Colorado rental property.
Why You Need CO Detectors in Your Colorado Rental
What Is Carbon Monoxide and Why Is It So Dangerous?
The key to understanding is knowing, right? So then let’s first define what CO is and why it’s dangerous. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can be deadly in high concentrations. It’s often produced by malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, gas stoves, fireplaces, portable generators; you get the idea.
When inhaled, carbon monoxide prevents oxygen from entering the body’s cells, which can lead to serious illness or death—especially during sleep, when the warning signs like dizziness or nausea might go unnoticed. For that reason, installing the proper number of CO detectors throughout your rental property is a minimal investment for maximum safety. Not to mention, they’re a legal requirement.
Colorado Law Requires CO Detectors in Rentals
Speaking of which, let’s expand on that further. Since July 1, 2009, Colorado law mandates that all residential properties with fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage must be equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. CO detectors must be installed near every bedroom or sleeping area, within 15 feet of any gas-burning appliance, and on every level of the property. This is non-negotiable.
As a landlord, you are responsible for ensuring that CO detectors:
- Are properly installed on every level where a bedroom is located
- Are functional and tested at each new tenancy
- Are replaced according to manufacturer instructions or if they are defective
Failure to comply can expose you to legal liability—and more importantly, it puts your tenants at serious risk.
Liability, Insurance, and Peace of Mind
Installing and maintaining CO detectors is not only about meeting legal requirements. It’s about protecting people. It’s a small price to pay to safeguard another person’s life, protect your investment, avoid liability, and demonstrate that you care about your property and your tenants. Failure to abide by that law can expose you to potential lawsuits, which of course leads to costly settlements and increased insurance premiums. Ultimately, the cost of installing and maintaining proper CO alarms is minimal in comparison.
How Real Property Management Colorado Can Help
At Real Property Management Colorado, we make safety and compliance easy. Not only do we ensure that every property meets the regulatory requirements for both smoke and CO detectors, but we also test them and ensure they’re installed and working properly throughout the term of the lease. And as legislation changes, so do we. Our goal is to keep tenants safe and properties well maintained, adding peace of mind for everyone. At the end of the day, we take the guesswork out of property management so you can focus on growing your investment portfolio with confidence.
Bottom Line
Carbon monoxide detectors aren’t optional in Colorado rentals—they’re essential. As a landlord, staying compliant protects your tenants, your property, and your peace of mind.
Part of our service as a professional property management company is knowing the laws and ensuring that your property remains in compliance. If you’re uncertain about how to keep your property up to current standards or just don’t want to chase down all the changing details, our team is here to help. Contact Real Property Management Colorado today—we’ll ensure your Colorado rental property is fully compliant and market-ready so you can rent it out faster with confidence.
Protect your investment. Protect your tenants. Partner with Real Property Management Colorado.
Contact us today to get peace of mind.
