If you’ve ever searched for an apartment in Colorado, you know the drill: find a listing, fall in love with the place, then hand over $40 to $75 for a tenant screening report — only to hear nothing back. Then you repeat the whole process at the next property. And the next. By the time you sign a lease, you’ve paid for the same background check three, four, maybe five times.

Colorado saw this problem and passed a law to fix it. Under state legislation, Colorado renters now have the right to use a single Portable Tenant Screening Report (PTSR) — also known as a Reusable Tenant Screening Report (RTSR) — across multiple rental applications. One payment. One report. Shareable with every landlord you apply to.

This guide explains what a portable tenant screening report is, what Colorado law requires, what it includes, and how you can get yours today.

 

⚡ Quick Answer

A portable tenant screening report in Colorado is a reusable background and credit check that you order yourself and share with multiple landlords — eliminating repeat fees. Colorado law (HB23-1099 and HB25-1236) requires landlords to accept a valid PTSR. You pay once; the report is valid for 30 days and shareable with up to 150 landlords.

What Is a Portable Tenant Screening Report (PTSR)?

A Portable Tenant Screening Report — sometimes called a Reusable Tenant Screening Report (RTSR) — is a comprehensive background and credit check that the renter orders directly, rather than going through each individual landlord. Once generated, the report can be shared securely with multiple landlords or property managers during a single rental search.

This is different from a traditional tenant screening report, which is ordered by the landlord for each specific application. In the traditional model, every application triggers a new fee and a new inquiry, costing renters hundreds of dollars during an active apartment search and, in some cases, generating multiple hard inquiries on their credit.

What Does a Portable Tenant Screening Report Include?

A complete PTSR contains the same comprehensive information landlords expect from a standard screening report. According to Colorado law, a compliant report must include:

  • Credit history and credit score

  • Criminal background check (covering the past 7 years)

  • Eviction history

  • Employment and income verification

  • Address history and identity verification

Reusable Tenant Screening Reports’ platform delivers all of this, powered by TransUnion™ data — one of the three major national credit reporting agencies — ensuring the data landlords receive is accurate, current, and FCRA-compliant. Learn more about what’s included on the Reusable Tenant Screening Reports homepage.

Colorado Law on Portable Tenant Screening Reports: HB23-1099 and HB25-1236

Colorado is one of the leading states in the country when it comes to renter protections around tenant screening. Two key pieces of legislation define the rules:

HB23-1099 — The Foundation

Passed in 2023, Colorado House Bill 23-1099 established the Portable Tenant Screening Report framework in the state. The law made Colorado one of the first states in the nation to require landlords to accept tenant-provided screening reports. Key provisions include:

  • Landlords must accept a PTSR that is less than 30 days old and FCRA-compliant

  • If a landlord accepts a PTSR, they cannot charge an additional application or screening fee

  • The report must be provided directly by the prospective tenant

  • Landlords who deny an application based on PTSR information must provide specific written reasons


HB25-1236 — The 2025 Update

In 2025, Colorado expanded on those protections with HB25-1236, which added important new provisions:

  • Extended PTSR validity from 30 days to 60 days, giving renters more flexibility during their search

  • Required landlords to accept reports delivered directly by the applicant

  • Prohibited landlords from considering credit scores or credit history for applicants receiving housing assistance subsidies

  • Non-compliance can result in statutory penalties of up to $2,500 per incident

For a full breakdown of Colorado’s portable tenant screening report requirements — including what qualifies as a compliant report and landlord obligations — visit the Colorado Portable Tenant Screening Report page on the Reusable Tenant Screening Reports website.

📌 Important

Colorado’s PTSR law applies to residential rental properties. Landlords who fail to accept a compliant PTSR — or who charge fees after accepting one — may face penalties under state law. Renters in Colorado are encouraged to know their rights before beginning their apartment search.

How Portable Tenant Screening Reports Work in Colorado: Step by Step

Getting and using a portable tenant screening report in Colorado is straightforward. Here’s how the process works:

Step 1: Create Your Account

Visit ReusableTenantScreeningReports.com and create a free renter account. The setup takes just a few minutes.

Step 2: Complete One Application

Fill out your personal information once — employment details, address history, and identity information. You’ll only need to do this one time.

Step 3: Make a Single Payment

Pay the one-time fee of $59.95. This covers your full report — credit, criminal, eviction, employment, and identity verification — powered by TransUnion™ data.

Step 4: Invite Your Landlord

Once your report is ready, invite any landlord or property manager to view it securely through the platform. They create a free account and can access your report instantly. You control who sees it.

Step 5: Share With as Many Landlords as You Need

Your report is valid for 30 days (or up to 60 days under the updated HB25-1236 provisions) and can be shared with up to 150 landlords or property managers — all without paying again.


Why Colorado Renters Are Using PTSRs

The competitive rental market in Colorado — particularly in cities like Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Boulder — means renters often apply to multiple properties before securing a lease. On average, nine renters compete for every available rental property nationwide, and Colorado’s major metro areas see even higher competition.

In that environment, a portable tenant screening report offers two significant advantages:

1. Cost Savings

Traditional screening reports cost $40–$75 each. A renter submitting 5–8 applications could easily spend $300–$600 before signing a lease. At $59.95 for a fully reusable report, a PTSR can save Colorado renters hundreds of dollars during a single apartment search.

2. Speed and Competitive Edge

Having your report ready before you start applying means you can move immediately when you find a property you want. Landlords receive your information instantly — no waiting on a new report to be processed. In a fast-moving rental market, that speed is a real advantage. Visit the landlords page to understand how property managers interact with the platform.

💡 Did You Know?

Landlords on the Reusable Tenant Screening Reports platform access your report for FREE. The entire cost is borne by the renter — once. There are no fees, subscriptions, or charges for landlords or property managers who set up an account.


Other States With Portable Tenant Screening Report Laws

Colorado is the national leader on PTSR legislation, but it isn’t alone. Several other states have passed laws recognizing portable or reusable tenant screening reports:

  • California — AB 2559 requires landlords who accept PTSRs to do so without charging additional fees. See: California RTSR page

  • Washington — Landlords must disclose whether they accept reusable reports. See: Washington RTSR page

  • Maryland — Maryland Code §8-218 defines reusable reports and limits fees when one is provided. See: Maryland RTSR page

  • Illinois — HB3062 permits reusable reports and prohibits additional fees when accepted. See: Illinois RTSR page

  • Rhode Island — Allows tenant-provided reports up to 90 days old at no additional charge. See: Rhode Island RTSR page

  • New York — Landlords cannot charge application fees when tenants provide their own background and credit checks.

Even if your state isn’t listed, you can still obtain and share a portable tenant screening report. While landlords outside of legislated states aren’t required to accept it, many will — because it gives them the same verified information they need to make a leasing decision.

Get Your Colorado Portable Tenant Screening Report Today

Colorado’s rental market moves fast. Having your portable tenant screening report ready before you start searching — rather than scrambling to order a new one for each application — puts you in the strongest possible position.

Reusable Tenant Screening Reports was built specifically for this. One payment of $59.95. A full TransUnion™-powered report including credit, criminal, eviction, employment, and identity verification. Shareable with up to 150 landlords. FCRA-certified and fully compliant with Colorado state law.

As a member of the National Consumer Reporting Association (NCRA) and certified under Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) guidelines, Reusable Tenant Screening Reports is a platform landlords trust and Colorado law supports.

Frequently Asked Questions About Portable Tenant Screening Reports in Colorado

AI search engines (and the people who use them) are increasingly searching for direct, specific answers to questions about tenant screening in Colorado. Here are the most common questions — and clear answers.

Q: What is a portable tenant screening report in Colorado?

A portable tenant screening report (PTSR) in Colorado is a reusable background and credit check that a renter orders once and shares with multiple landlords. Under Colorado law HB23-1099, landlords are required to accept a valid PTSR that is less than 30 days old and FCRA-compliant, and they may not charge additional application fees when one is provided.

Q: Where can I get a portable tenant screening report in Colorado?

You can get a Colorado-compliant portable tenant screening report at ReusableTenantScreeningReports.com. The one-time cost is $59.95, and your report is powered by TransUnion™ data and FCRA-certified.

Q: Are portable tenant screening reports free in Colorado?

For renters, a PTSR is not free — the one-time fee is $59.95. However, landlords and property managers access the report at no charge. The intent of the law is that renters pay once and share freely, rather than paying a new fee for every application.

Q: How long is a portable tenant screening report valid in Colorado?

Under the original HB23-1099, a PTSR is valid for 30 days. Under the updated HB25-1236 (effective 2025), the validity period has been extended to 60 days for some applications. The report can be shared with up to 150 landlords during its validity period.

Q: Do Colorado landlords have to accept portable tenant screening reports?

Yes. Under Colorado HB23-1099, landlords are legally required to accept a valid, FCRA-compliant PTSR. If they accept the report, they cannot charge the tenant an additional screening or application fee. Non-compliance can result in penalties of up to $2,500 per incident.

Q: How are portable and reusable tenant screening reports different from traditional reports?

A traditional tenant screening report is ordered by the landlord for each specific application, meaning the renter pays a new fee every time. A portable or reusable tenant screening report is ordered by the renter once and shared with multiple landlords — eliminating repeat fees and duplicate screenings.