Fair Housing Month – Do You Know Your Rights?

Every April, we remember the passage of the Fair Housing Act on April 11, 1968 which forever changed housing discrimination and segregation. Passed by Lyndon Johnson shortly after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, gender, disability, national origin and family status.

Though it is 2022, discrimination still takes place everywhere, including renting, lending, appraisals, and selling. It’s important to know your rights so that you can be aware not only for yourself but for others as well. Colorado’s Fair Housing Act goes even further by prohibiting discrimination based on fami

So, do you know your rights as a buyer, seller or tenant in Colorado?

Question: Is it ok for my landlord to prohibit my service animal from living with me since the agreement was no pets?

Answer: No, the landlord has to accommodate service and emotional support animals regardless of the pet policy.

Question: Can a landlord decide I’m not a fit tenant because I am transgender?

Answer: No, sexual orientation protection includes transgender status.

Question: Can I be discriminated against based on my age?

Answer: Age does not fall under local Colorado fair housing law. 

Question: I was denied from renting an apartment because I am an exotic dancer. Does this violate the Fair Housing Act?

Answer: No, a person’s occupation does not fall under Colorado fair housing law. 

Question: Is it legal for a community to prevent people who are not elderly from living there?

Answer: If the housing facility or community is deemed “55 or older” and they adhere to this specific policies then yes. If this is not the case then no. 

Again, age and employment status are not protected under Colorado’s fair housing laws.

Even if the person who violated the law didn’t intend to, he/she will still be held accountable and their actions will not be pardonable. Have you or someone you know been discriminated against? Go to https://socgov07-site.secure.force.com/ColoradoCivilRights/ to submit a formal complaint and start the process.