HB1259 makes price gouging of rent-based housing during disaster periods in designated areas an "unfair and unconscionable act." It allows the Attorney General or district attorneys to take enforcement actions, and tenants can also bring civil lawsuits for violations.
The Colorado State Senate passed HB1259 on April 19, 2024 by a vote of 43 to 17. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this bill expands government intervention in the economy. By labeling rent increases as "unfair and unconscionable" during disaster periods, it limits the ability of landlords to adjust prices based on market conditions. Instead of allowing the free market to respond to disaster or post-disaster conditions, HB1259 imposes arbitrary price controls that could lead to shortages and inefficiencies in the rental market.
