Have you ever heard of “squatter’s rights”? The formal term is “adverse possession,” and it’s the idea that someone can gain legal ownership of property simply by occupying it. While the “squatters law Colorado” protects squatters, successfully claiming adverse possession in Colorado is tough.
Whether you’re a property owner or find yourself in a squatter situation, understanding these laws is essential. This article provides a comprehensive overview of squatter’s rights in Colorado. We’ll cover the legal requirements a squatter must meet, how eviction works in these cases, and what you can do to protect your property.
It’s also important to note that there have been some legislative updates in 2024 that affect squatter’s rights and the eviction process in Colorado. We’ll touch on those as well.
Before we dive in, let’s define a few key terms:
- Squatter: Someone who occupies property without the owner’s permission.
- Adverse Possession: The legal principle allowing a squatter to gain ownership.
- Color of Title: A claim to ownership that’s defective in some way (e.g., a faulty deed).
- Holdover Tenant: Someone who remains on a property after their lease expires.
- Trespasser: Someone who enters a property illegally.