Windsor CO rent increase 2026 Windsor, Colorado has no local rent control in 2026. Windsor IS a municipality — the Town of Windsor — and could enact rent control under Colorado HB 21-1117 (2021), but has not done so. CRITICAL COURTHOUSE FILING TRAP: Windsor’s 80550 ZIP code and town limits straddle both Weld County and Larimer County due to the town’s annexation history. Weld County addresses (the majority of Windsor) file at Weld County Courts, 901 9th Ave, Greeley CO 80631, approximately 15–18 miles east. Larimer County addresses (southwest Windsor and certain annexation areas) file at Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Ave, Fort Collins CO 80521, approximately 15–18 miles northwest. Filing at the wrong courthouse results in dismissal and re-filing. Verify at weldgov.com or larimer.org assessor before serving any demand notice. Windsor is a rapidly growing town of ~28,000 with premium lifestyle amenities: Windsor Lake (one of the Front Range’s rare swimmable municipal lakes), Water Valley (private lake and golf community), and Pelican Lakes (resort-style SFR). Dual bedroom community: residents commute both to Fort Collins (~15–18 miles northwest via US-287 and CO-392) and to Greeley (~15–18 miles east via US-34). CSU Fort Collins campus is just 7–8 miles from Windsor. 10-day pay-or-quit (HB 21-1121). 60-day deposit return; 3× willful penalty (CRS §38-12-103).

Colorado HB 21-1117 and Windsor: no rent control, but not immune

Colorado HB 21-1117 (April 2021) repealed Colorado’s 1994 statewide rent control preemption, restoring authority to enact rent stabilization ordinances to Colorado municipalities. Windsor is an incorporated municipality — the Town of Windsor — governed by a Town Board of Trustees, which is authorized to pass local ordinances.

Windsor’s Town Board of Trustees has not introduced, debated, or passed any rent control or rent stabilization ordinance as of 2026. Windsor’s rapid growth trajectory, new construction dominance, and generally pro-development political environment make rent control unlikely in the near term. However, Windsor is not legally immune the way unincorporated areas are: a newly elected Board majority could initiate an ordinance. Landlords should monitor Windsor Town Board agendas, particularly as Northern Colorado’s rental market continues to tighten with ongoing migration from the Denver metro.

The bottom line: Windsor landlords operate under Colorado state law only — no cap, no formula, no approval required. Any amount of rent increase is permitted at lease expiration.

The Weld–Larimer county split: Windsor’s critical courthouse filing trap

Windsor’s most important compliance trap for landlords has nothing to do with rent control — it is the Weld–Larimer county boundary that runs through the town.

When Windsor incorporated and began annexing territory in the 1990s and 2000s, the town grew in multiple directions — including westward toward the Larimer County line. Some of those western and southwestern annexations captured parcels that crossed into Larimer County. As a result, the Town of Windsor now contains addresses in two different Colorado counties.

For landlords, this creates a concrete procedural trap: Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) eviction cases must be filed in the county court of the county where the property is located. If a Windsor property is a Weld County parcel, the landlord files at Weld County Courts, 901 9th Ave, Greeley CO 80631, approximately 15–18 miles east of central Windsor via US-34. If the property is a Larimer County parcel, the landlord files at Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Ave, Fort Collins CO 80521, approximately 15–18 miles northwest via US-287 and CO-392.

Filing at the wrong courthouse results in the case being dismissed. The landlord must re-file at the correct courthouse, pay a new filing fee, and restart the timeline — typically adding 3–6 weeks to the process.

How to verify before filing: Use the Weld County Assessor property search at weldgov.com. If the Windsor address returns a Weld County record, file in Greeley. If it does not, check the Larimer County Assessor at larimer.org. If it returns a Larimer County record, file in Fort Collins. Do this for every Windsor property you own, not just once.

Colorado security deposit rules for Windsor landlords

• No deposit cap. Colorado law imposes no statutory maximum on residential security deposits. Windsor market practice for new construction: 1–2 months’ rent is standard; Water Valley and Pelican Lakes SFR landlords often collect 2 months.
• Return deadline: 60 days (or 30 days with written demand) after tenancy ends (CRS §38-12-103(1)). Treat 30 days as the internal operating standard.
• Itemized statement required for any partial return; each deduction listed by item and dollar amount (CRS §38-12-103(2)).
• Willful wrongful withholding: 3× penalty + attorney’s fees (CRS §38-12-103(3)). On a $2,400 Windsor SFR deposit: willful wrongful withholding penalty = $7,200 + attorney fees. On a $3,200 Water Valley deposit: penalty = $9,600 + attorney fees.

Major employers and rental demand in Windsor CO

Fort Collins employer cluster: CSU, HP Inc., Poudre Valley Health

Windsor’s largest employer base lies to the northwest in Fort Collins, approximately 15–18 miles via US-287 and CO-392. Colorado State University (Fort Collins campus; ~7,000–8,000 employees including faculty, staff, and research positions) is the dominant anchor. Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and junior faculty who cannot afford Fort Collins proper often seek rentals in Windsor, where equivalent 2BR units run $200–$400 per month less than comparable units near campus. Windsor is approximately 7–8 miles from the CSU main campus via Harmony Road or CO-392.

HP Inc. maintains a significant campus in Fort Collins (Horsetooth Road; research, engineering, and printing division), employing approximately 2,500–3,000+. Hologic (formerly Gen-Probe; medical devices; Prospect Road, Fort Collins) employs several hundred. Poudre Valley Health System (UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital; Lemay Ave, Fort Collins; Level II Trauma Center; ~3,000 employees) and Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland contribute substantial healthcare employment to the I-25 corridor. City of Fort Collins government employs approximately 1,700+. Windsor captures a significant share of these Fort Collins employees who prioritize space, lake amenities, or relative affordability.

Greeley employer cluster: UNC, Banner Health, Weld County Government, JBS

To the east, approximately 15–18 miles via US-34 or US-34 Business, Greeley provides a second major employment center for Windsor residents. University of Northern Colorado (501 20th St, Greeley; ~2,000 employees including faculty and staff) draws faculty and professional staff who prefer Windsor’s lake amenities and newer construction over Greeley’s inventory. Banner Health’s North Colorado Medical Center (1801 16th St, Greeley; ~1,700+ employees) is the region’s primary hospital for Weld County and a major source of stable healthcare employment. Weld County Government (headquartered at 1150 O St, Greeley) employs approximately 2,000+ in administrative, judicial, public health, and public safety roles. JBS USA’s Greeley beef processing plant (1770 Business Center Dr, Greeley) employs approximately 6,000+ workers and generates substantial demand for workforce housing throughout the eastern Weld County corridor. Windsor captures the higher-income tier of Greeley-employed renters seeking newer construction and lifestyle amenities.

Anheuser-Busch Fort Collins Brewery and Molson Coors

The Anheuser-Busch Fort Collins Brewery (2351 Busch Dr, Fort Collins CO 80524; approximately 7 miles northwest of Windsor; ~500 employees in brewing, quality, and distribution) employs a base of well-compensated production and management workers. Molson Coors operates a Fort Collins production facility (1801 Mason St, Fort Collins; ~600+ employees). Both breweries contribute to Windsor’s residential demand from employees who prefer Windsor’s relative affordability, lake amenities, and proximity to their Fort Collins workplace.

Water Valley and Pelican Lakes: premium SFR rental communities

Water Valley (private lake and golf community; western Windsor; multi-lake system with boating, fishing, and beach access) and Pelican Lakes (resort-residential community east of Windsor; 18-hole championship golf; planned residential development) represent Windsor’s premium SFR rental submarket. Long-term rentals in these communities reach $2,200–$3,500+ for SFR properties, attracting executive and professional renters from both Fort Collins and Greeley employer bases, as well as remote workers and retirees drawn by the lake lifestyle that is genuinely rare on the Colorado Front Range.

Employer summary table

Windsor rental market: neighborhoods and 2026 rent ranges

Eviction process in Windsor CO: step-by-step

Step 1: Verify county — then serve 10-Day Demand for Payment or Possession

Before preparing any demand notice, confirm whether the Windsor property is in Weld County or Larimer County using the county assessor websites. Then serve written notice under CRS §13-40-104(d) (as amended by HB 21-1121): the notice must state the exact amount of rent owed and demand payment or possession within 10 days. If the tenant pays the full stated amount within 10 days, the landlord cannot proceed with eviction. Include only past-due base rent — not late fees, utilities, or other charges — as overstatement of the rent owed can render the notice defective.

Step 2: File FED complaint at the correct county courthouse

Weld County Windsor address: file at Weld County Courts, 901 9th Ave, Greeley CO 80631 (approximately 15–18 miles east via US-34). Larimer County Windsor address: file at Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Ave, Fort Collins CO 80521 (approximately 15–18 miles northwest via US-287 / CO-392). Filing fee approximately $85–$175. Filing at the wrong courthouse results in dismissal and mandatory re-filing at the correct location.

Step 3: Sheriff serves summons; hearing scheduled

The county sheriff (Weld County Sheriff or Larimer County Sheriff, depending on property location) serves the summons on the tenant. Hearing is typically scheduled within 7–14 business days of filing.

Step 4: Writ of Restitution and lockout

Upon judgment for the landlord, the court issues a Writ of Restitution. The county sheriff posts the 24-hour notice and executes the lockout. Total uncontested timeline from 10-day notice service to lockout: approximately 4–6 weeks.

10 common Windsor CO landlord mistakes under Colorado CRS

1. Filing at the wrong county courthouse — Weld vs. Larimer. Windsor’s most dangerous landlord trap. A Windsor address in a Larimer County parcel filed at Weld County Courts in Greeley will be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. The landlord must re-file in Fort Collins, paying a new filing fee and losing 3–6 weeks. Always verify county via weldgov.com or larimer.org assessor before serving any demand notice.
2. Assuming all Windsor 80550 addresses are Weld County. The 80550 ZIP code spans both Weld and Larimer counties. A ZIP code lookup confirms nothing about county assignment. Southwest Windsor and some annexation areas are Larimer County parcels despite carrying an 80550 ZIP code. Only an assessor search confirms county.
3. Using the old 3-day eviction notice. Colorado HB 21-1121 (2021) extended the non-payment notice period to 10 days. A 3-day notice served in 2026 is legally defective. The FED case will be dismissed at filing. Must re-serve a proper 10-day notice and restart the clock.
4. Including late fees or utilities in the 10-day demand amount. CRS §13-40-104: the demand notice for non-payment must state only the past-due base rent amount. Including late fees, utilities, or other charges in the stated amount risks the notice being found defective, requiring re-service and restarting the timeline.
5. Missing the 30-day deposit return deadline after written demand. If the tenant sends a written demand for deposit return, the standard 60-day deadline collapses to 30 days (CRS §38-12-103(1)). Use 30 days as the operating standard for all Windsor properties. On a $2,800 Water Valley deposit, willful wrongful withholding = $8,400 + attorney fees.
6. Not itemizing the deposit deduction statement. CRS §38-12-103(2): every deduction must be listed by item and dollar amount. A vague statement such as “damages and cleaning: $620” is insufficient. Document each item separately with the cost attributed.
7. Entering the unit without 24-hour written advance notice. CRS §38-12-1102 (HB 19-1118): 24 hours’ advance written notice required for routine entry. A text message sent 18 hours before entry is legally borderline. Written email or hand-delivered notice at least 24 hours prior is the safe standard.
8. Self-help eviction: changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities. CRS §38-12-510: $5,000 punitive damages + actual damages + attorney fees. Windsor’s FED timeline with correct court filing is 4–6 weeks for uncontested cases. The shortcut is not worth the penalty exposure.
9. Not verifying school district for Larimer County portions of Windsor. Most Windsor addresses are in Weld RE-4 (Windsor HS, Windsor Charter Academy). But some Larimer County border areas of Windsor may feed into Poudre R-1 or Thompson R2-J. Landlords marketing to families in border areas should verify school assignment at the time of listing.
10. Underpricing Water Valley and Pelican Lakes properties against central Windsor comparables. Premium lake community SFR rentals command $400–$800/month premiums over comparable square footage in central Windsor. Water Valley and Pelican Lakes attract renters who are choosing between these properties and comparable Fort Collins rentals at higher price points, not renters who are comparison shopping standard Windsor apartments. Using central Windsor data to price premium lake SFR systematically undervalues these assets.

Frequently asked questions: Windsor CO rent increase 2026

Does Windsor CO have rent control in 2026?

No. Windsor has no local rent control ordinance. As a municipality, it could enact one under HB 21-1117 but has not. All rent increases are uncapped and unrestricted under Colorado state law.

What county is Windsor CO in?

Windsor is primarily in Weld County, but portions of the town — particularly in the southwest and certain annexation areas — are in Larimer County. The Windsor 80550 ZIP code spans both counties. Verify the county for any specific address at weldgov.com (Weld) or larimer.org (Larimer) assessor search tools.

What court handles Windsor CO evictions?

Depends on county. Weld County Windsor addresses: Weld County Courts, 901 9th Ave, Greeley CO 80631 (~15–18 miles east). Larimer County Windsor addresses: Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Ave, Fort Collins CO 80521 (~15–18 miles northwest). Wrong courthouse = dismissal. Verify county before filing.

How do I verify whether my Windsor property is Weld or Larimer County?

Search the property at weldgov.com (Weld County Assessor). If the address returns a record, it is Weld County — file in Greeley. If not, search larimer.org (Larimer County Assessor). If that returns a record, it is Larimer County — file in Fort Collins. Do this for every Windsor property individually.

What school district serves Windsor CO?

Primarily Weld RE-4 (Windsor HS, Windsor Charter Academy, Severance HS for northern areas). Small Larimer County portions of Windsor may fall in Poudre R-1 or Thompson R2-J. Verify school assignment for Larimer County border areas at time of lease.

How much can a Windsor landlord raise rent in 2026?

Any amount at lease expiration. No cap, no formula, no approval required under Colorado state law. Windsor has no local rent ordinance and has not passed one under HB 21-1117.

What are 2026 Windsor CO rent ranges?

Central Windsor / US-34 corridor: 1BR $1,100–$1,600, 2BR $1,400–$2,000. Water Valley / Pelican Lakes: 1BR $1,400–$1,900, 2BR $1,800–$2,700; SFR 3BR $2,200–$3,400. New construction SE Windsor: 1BR $1,200–$1,700, 2BR $1,500–$2,200. Older stock east Windsor: 1BR $1,000–$1,400, 2BR $1,300–$1,700. SFR 3BR throughout: $1,700–$2,600.

What is Windsor’s security deposit rule?

Colorado state law applies: no deposit cap; return within 60 days (or 30 days with tenant’s written demand); itemized statement required for partial return; 3× willful wrongful withholding penalty + attorney fees (CRS §38-12-103). No Windsor-specific local deposit ordinance.