Fair Housing

The Fair Housing Act protects people from inequity in nearly all housing rental and sales transactions. The federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the federal Fair Housing Act Amendments Act of 1988 prohibits discrimination in housing because of disability, familial status, national origin, race, color or religion. 

Exemptions

The act does not include housing operated by organizations or private clubs that limit occupancy to members; housing reserved exclusively for seniors; owner-occupied building with four units or less or single family housing (sold or rented) without a real estate broker.

Equal Opportunity

The following are not allowed (based on race, color origin, religion, familial status, sex, or disability):

  • Advertising or making any statement that indicates a limitation or preference (includes exempt properties)
  • Denying a dwelling
  • Denying anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing
  • Falsely denying that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental
  • For profit, persuading owners to sell or rent (blockbusting)
  • Making housing unavailable
  • Providing different housing services or facilities
  • Refusal to negotiate for housing
  • Refusal to rent or sell housing
  • Setting different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling

In regard to mortgage lending, the following are not allowed (based on race, color origin, religion, familial status, sex, or disability) as well:

  • Discriminating in appraising property
  • Imposing different terms or conditions on a loan, such as different interest rates, points or fees
  • Refusal to make a mortgage loan
  • Refusal to provide information regarding loans
  • Refusal to purchase a loan or
  • Setting different terms or conditions for purchasing a loan

It is illegal for anyone to threaten, coerce, intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right.

Filing a Complaint

If you feel your fair housing rights have been violated and would like to learn more about the complaint process, please contact the Colorado Civil Rights Division at 303-894-2997 or at 800-262-4845 (toll free). Or you may contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at 303-672-5437, or at 800-877-7353 (toll free), or TTY 303-672-5248.