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Selling a house with squatters in Colorado can feel overwhelming, but it’s possible to sell a squatter property in Denver and throughout Colorado quickly without the hassle of evictions or legal battles. At New Era Home Buyers, we specialize in purchasing homes as-is, even with squatters in residence. We understand the unique challenges of these situations and offer a fast, straightforward process to help you move on. With a cash offer, you can skip the stress of traditional sales and avoid dealing with the squatters yourself. Keep reading to learn more about squatters, their rights in Colorado, and what you need to know to navigate this situation.
Squatters rights in Colorado, also called adverse possession, give people the possibility of acquiring ownership of a property if they have inhabited it without the owner’s permission for a certain number of years. In Colorado, a squatter can obtain legal ownership after 18 years of continued use. However, if the squatter has been paying property taxes and can prove it, they may only need to occupy the property for 7 years to establish ownership. The adverse possession law is supposed to ensure that properties are actively used and maintained, not left idle for long periods.
Key Legal Requirements for Squatters Rights in ColoradoFor a squatter to legally claim a property under adverse possession in Colorado, they must meet the following key legal requirements:
Squatters can occupy properties for any number of reasons. Some of them do so legally, but others may do so illegally. Here are a few examples where squatters’ rights could come into play:
In Colorado, like in most states, a squatter can take control over a property under certain conditions, even though breaking into a property is considered illegal. Here’s how squatters might gain access:
In claiming legal ownership of a property by adverse possession, a squatter must fulfill the following requirements:
If you’re a property owner in Colorado, protecting your home or land from squatters is crucial. Here are some steps to prevent squatters from occupying your vacant property:
Squatters have gained attention in several high-profile cases in Colorado. Below are a few notable examples:
In the early 2000s, a woman moved into an abandoned property in Denver’s South Broadway neighborhood and lived there for years, making it her home. When the owner finally discovered her, the squatter had transformed the property into a home, which sparked a significant legal discussion around squatters rights.
In 2016, a group of squatters took residence in the abandoned Denver Post building, turning it into a community space. The incident raised awareness about squatting in urban areas, particularly in vacant commercial properties.
In 2017, a squatter occupied a vacant house in Boulder for several months. The squatter made improvements and refused to leave when the owner returned, triggering a legal battle over adverse possession.
As property values continue to rise in Colorado, particularly in cities like Denver and Boulder, squatters rights may become more of a concern. Below are a few trends we expect to see in 2025:
If you find squatters inhabiting your property in Colorado, you’ll have to take the due process of law to remove them. Eviction of squatters may be a time-consuming process; thus, you should know the right process. Here is a basic guide on how to evict squatters in Colorado:
Before initiating the eviction process, make sure the people on your property are indeed squatters. A squatter is a person who resides in a property without your permission and without any legal agreement. If they have a lease or any sort of permission from you, they are tenants, not squatters, and the eviction process will be different.
If you have ascertained that they are indeed squatters, you should serve them with a Notice to Quit or Demand for Possession. This is a formal notice informing the squatter that they must vacate the premises. In Colorado, you are usually supposed to give a notice to vacate within 3 days, meaning the squatter has to leave within 3 days.
If the squatter does not leave after the notice period, you will have to go to court. You will have to file an Unlawful Detainer lawsuit with the county court where the property is located. This is a lawsuit that asks the court to remove the squatter from the property. You will be required to prove that the individual is squatting and that you have followed the due process of law.
After filing the lawsuit, the court will schedule a hearing. You’ll need to attend and show proof that the person is squatting and that you’ve given them proper notice. If the judge agrees with you, they will issue a writ of restitution, which orders the sheriff to remove the squatter.
The sheriff will come to your property, if the court rules in your favor, and removes the squatter. This is the last step in the eviction process. At this point, once the sheriff carries out the eviction, the squatter has to leave the property.
Squatters are usually difficult to evict, especially if they refuse to leave. You may be advised to hire an attorney specializing in landlord-tenant law to help you go through the process and protect you legally.
When facing squatters in your Colorado property, selling the house may appear to be an impossible task. However, if you are asking yourself “can I sell my house with squatters in Colorado”, there are a few options available for the homeowner in this scenario. Whichever route you decide on, whether evicting the squatters or selling the house ‘as-is’, understanding your options is the key to a smooth transaction.
The property owner in Colorado can only remove squatters through the legal process for eviction. First, the owner needs to serve the squatter with a notice to leave, such as a Notice to Quit. If the squatter does not leave, then the owner can file an Unlawful Detainer lawsuit in court. If the court rules in favor of the property owner, then a writ of restitution is issued, and the sheriff can remove the squatter. Property owners should never attempt to handle eviction themselves by turning off utilities or resorting to force, as this may lead to legal trouble.
In Colorado, a squatter can claim adverse possession if they are in continuous occupation of a property for 18 years. This can be reduced to 7 years if the squatter pays property taxes and has “color of title,” meaning they have some form of legal claim, such as a deed or title document, even if it is not entirely valid.
To establish adverse possession in Colorado, a squatter must reside on a property consistently for at least 18 years. If the squatter pays property taxes and has color of title, the time period reduces to 7 years.
While Colorado’s squatting laws are generally the same statewide, cities like Denver or Colorado Springs may have specific local ordinances related to squatting and eviction procedures. However, the basic principles of squatter’s rights and adverse possession remain consistent across the state, and property owners still need to follow the legal eviction process.
State of Colorado statute protects squatters against forced evictions. They can apply for adverse possession if their cases meet the legal set amount and, similarly continuous open occupation. Squatters need to be afforded due process prior to their removal from a premises.
In Colorado, it is prohibited to cut off utilities for the purpose of removing squatters. It is a type of self-help eviction, which is against the law. Property owners in Colorado must pursue the correct legal process in order to remove squatters through eviction: by filing a lawsuit and obtaining a court order.
At New Era Home Buyers, we specialize in buying homes in Colorado quickly and with no hassle, including properties that may be difficult to sell, such as squatter houses. If you’re looking to sell my house fast Denver, even squatter, houses, New Era Home Buyers offers a hassle-free solution with no repairs or commissions. We purchase squatter houses in Colorado for cash, including those in need of major repairs, hoarder homes, and other challenging properties. With our local expertise and commitment to transparency, we provide a smooth, stress-free selling experience. Additionally, we collaborate with real estate investors in Colorado to offer wholesale properties, ensuring a wide range of opportunities for both sellers and investors. Please contact us directly to learn more about us or to request an offer on your squatter house in Colorado.