CEDP’s 2025 State Legislative Efforts
Safeguarding Coloradans From Economic Abuse and Exploitation.
Addressing the Economic Abuse and Exploitation of Colorado Working Families During the 2025 State Legislative Session
At Community Economic Defense Project (CEDP), we serve Coloradans who face unjust practices every day. Our clients are up against a system that prioritizes the interests of large corporations and profit margins over the well-being of homeowners, renters, and consumers in Colorado.
During the 2025 Colorado state legislative session, CEDP’s policy team crafted and advocated for legislation that would address the economic abuse and exploitation of working families across our state. Our team led the way on policy proposals that would dismantle incentive structures prioritizing corporate profit over community well-being.
Our vision is to establish greater accountability and transparency in industries that frequently exploit seniors and everyday working people, like nurses, teachers, and small business owners. Specifically, CEDP advocated for measures to curb predatory practices in the rental housing market, vehicle booting, and eviction proceedings:
Ban Algorithmic Price Fixing: HB25-1004 aimed to ban large corporate landlords from using algorithmic price-fixing in the rental market. The bill intended to prevent landlords from colluding with technology companies to set prices and avoid competition, which has been shown to significantly increase rents and contribute to the housing crisis. This landmark legislation was vetoed by Governor Polis.
Stop Predatory Vehicle Booting: HB25-1117 addresses predatory vehicle booting practices. It was signed into law in May and aims to regulate booting companies, change the incentive structure, and provide protections for residents. The law goes into effect in July.
Due Process in Evictions: HB25-1235 intended to strengthen tenants' rights in eviction cases by ensuring access to a jury trial. The legislation would prohibit jury trial waivers in residential leases and permit extended trial scheduling. The bill sought to address issues with expedited trials that have created an “eviction mill” climate in county courts across Colorado.
Each of these policy proposals was designed to prevent greedy landlords and corporations from stealing wealth from our communities. While we didn’t get all of our bills across the finish line this legislative session, CEDP remains committed to crafting and advocating for policies that uphold the dignity and economic security of all Coloradans.
Read more below to learn about the legislation we crafted and advocated for during the 2025 legislative session.
Preventing Algorithmic Price Fixing Used to Artificially Raise Rent
CEDP led the effort to craft and advocate for HB25-1004, the nation’s first-of-its-kind legislation to pass a state legislature, focused on banning large corporate landlords from using algorithmic price-fixing in the rental market. This bill would have prevented landlords from colluding with technology companies to set prices and avoid competition.
A Biden White House report revealed that price collusion costs Denver renters over $1,600 annually, or a 13th month of rent. The data also suggests that a $100 rent increase leads to a 9% increase in homelessness. The bill passed the state legislature with strong Democratic support, but Governor Polis chose to veto the bill.
Colorado is in the midst of a homelessness and housing crisis, and renters can’t afford to be nickel-and-dimed by Big Tech companies and corporate landlords. Coloradans deserve better. Big tech products that allow landlords to fix prices and avoid competition have no place in our state.
They raise prices, drive evictions, and lead to more people experiencing homelessness, which means our work here is far from over. As we reflect on our mission to keep people housed and fight against systems of economic injustice, this veto only strengthens our resolve to keep going. We will continue to advocate for policies that protect the people who are the backbone of Colorado’s economy — the workers, families, and young people who sustain our communities — because a just housing system should serve everyone, not just the wealthy and powerful.
Read more about our work on HB25-1004
The Colorado Sun: Jared Polis vetoes bill that would have restricted the use of rent-setting software, like RealPage
The Denver Post: Gov. Jared Polis vetoes bill that would have banned algorithm that White House said drove up Denver rents
The Associated Press: Colorado’s governor vetoes landmark ban on rent-setting algorithms
The American Prospect: Colorado’s Governor Greenlights Price-Fixing Algorithms
Regulating Predatory Vehicle Booting
Colorado's current vehicle booting system creates a conflict of interest — booting companies not only enforce the rules, but they also profit from every enforcement action they take. HB25-1117 addresses the predatory vehicle booting industry in Colorado.
The moment someone sees a boot on their wheel, everything stops — unless they can immediately pay a $160 fee. For many families, that’s the difference between paying rent, keeping the lights on, or putting food on the table. No one should have to choose between their car and basic necessities. Working families already stretch every dollar to keep up with rent and bills - unregulated booting shouldn't be another barrier to making ends meet.
This legislation addresses predatory vehicle booting practices in the state of Colorado. Previously, unregulated booting allowed companies to target low-income communities, holding vehicles hostage until a fee was paid. This created a conflict of interest as booting companies profited from each immobilization.
HB25-1117 was signed into law by Colorado Governor Jared Polis in May. The new law will change the booting incentive structure and provide protections for residents, preventing situations where families must choose between paying a booting fee and basic necessities.
Read more about our work to pass HB25-1117
The Denver Post: Colorado to close loophole in state regulation of parking boots
Denver7: Colorado 'booting' crackdown: Lawmakers, regulators push for stronger protections for vehicle owners
Advocating for Tenants’ Right to a Jury Trial in Eviction Cases
Historically, Colorado tenants had the right to have their eviction cases heard by a jury. However, this right was eroded in the 1990s and 2000s, leading to high-speed trials decided solely by judges. In 2023, HB23-1095 was passed, allowing residential leases to waive a tenant’s right to a jury trial in eviction cases.
In October 2024, the Colorado Supreme Court decision in Mercy Housing v. Bermudez recognized the general right to a jury trial in eviction cases but imposed significant limitations. In December 2024, the Colorado Supreme Court withdrew its opinion in the Bermudez case, which has sown confusion about a tenant’s right to a jury trial in eviction proceedings.
The ambiguity in the statute's language, particularly the distinction between personal service and service by posting, has left the legal community and affected parties uncertain about the current interpretation of the law.
HB25-1235 aimed to bolster tenant rights in eviction cases by guaranteeing access to a fair jury trial. The proposed legislation intended to prohibit jury trial waivers in residential leases, allow jury trials even when service was conducted by posting, and mandate extended trial scheduling beyond the current 7-10 day timeframe, thereby ensuring thorough and equitable proceedings for tenants facing eviction.
The legislation would have addressed the longstanding issue of Colorado renters being denied the right to a jury trial in eviction cases, a practice that has turned county courts into "eviction mills.” Unfortunately, this bill did not pass out of committee, but we’re committed to continuing our work to address this issue.
Read more about our work on HB25-1235
The Denver Post: Tenants facing eviction could get jury trial under bill before Colorado legislature