Colorado § 38-12-212.9 - Language access requirements.

§ 38-12-212.9. Language access requirements.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this part 2 or part 11 or 14 of this article 12, a landlord shall provide any notice, disclosure, or other communication that a landlord is required to provide to a resident pursuant to this part 2 or part 11 or 14 of this article 12, in English and Spanish. At any time, a resident may request that a landlord provide a notice, disclosure, or other communication in one additional language, other than English or Spanish, spoken by the resident. If a landlord receives a request to provide a notice, disclosure, or communication in one additional language other than English or Spanish, the landlord shall provide any subsequent notices, disclosures, or communications required pursuant to this part 2 or part 11 or 14 of this article 12 to the resident in the requested language. A landlord may provide a translation pursuant to this section virtually or through the use of an online translation program, including programs that may be published by the division, so long as the translated written notice, disclosure, or communication satisfies all applicable legal requirements.

(2) At any time, a resident may request that a landlord provide a written notice, disclosure, or other communication verbally in English one time to the resident in addition to providing the resident with a written notice, disclosure, or other communication. If the landlord receives a request to provide a notice, disclosure, or other communication verbally, the landlord shall read the notice, disclosure, or other communication aloud to the resident within seventy-two hours of the resident making the request. To satisfy the requirement of this subsection (2), a landlord may also provide an audio or video recording of the notice, disclosure, or other communication being read aloud.

(3) A landlord shall ensure that any notice, disclosure, or other communication required pursuant to this part 2 or part 11 or 14 of this article 12 is written in clear and plain language and includes all information reasonably necessary for the resident to understand the resident's rights and responsibilities. A translated notice, disclosure, or other communication must accurately convey the meaning of the original English notice, disclosure, or other communication. Each notice, disclosure, or other communication, regardless of the language, must be clear and unambiguous to ensure that it is easily understood by all park residents. A landlord shall make reasonable efforts to provide a notice, disclosure, or other communication in the simplest language practicable to convey the required message.

(4) A resident may respond in English or Spanish to any notice, disclosure, or other communication provided by a landlord. A resident who has requested that a landlord provide a notice, disclosure, or other communication in a language other than English or Spanish may respond to the notice, disclosure, or other communication in the requested language.

(5) A resident may request that a landlord provide an interpreter in one language in addition to English and Spanish that the resident uses for any non-written notice, disclosure, or other communication with residents, including in a meeting required pursuant to section 38-12-206. A landlord shall provide an interpreter in the requested language and may provide the interpretation in person or virtually through an interpretation service, including a virtual or remote language line that provides live interpretation by a trained interpreter. Non-written language includes American sign language.

Source: L. 2024: Entire section added, (HB 24-1294), ch. 399, p. 2737, § 11, effective June 30.