The total amount billed to tenants through the ratio utility billing system may not exceed the utility provider’s charge for service to the residential premises.
The enacted summary says the landlord may not apply a fee or other charge to the tenant in addition to the actual utility charges, except as otherwise permitted by law.
Utility costs attributable to common areas or shared facilities are excluded from the charges allocated to tenants.
The method used to allocate the dwelling unit’s utility charge must be clearly disclosed in the rental agreement.
Start by reconciling the property-level utility total
For a Colorado RUBS bill, the first arithmetic checkpoint is the underlying utility-provider charge for the residential premises. The aggregate amount billed to tenants through the allocation system cannot exceed that provider amount.
If you can obtain the master/provider bill, compare it with the tenant allocation total before focusing on your individual share.
Separate actual utility charges from landlord-added fees
HB26-1013 prohibits a landlord using the covered ratio utility billing system from applying a fee or other charge to the tenant in addition to the actual utility charges, except where another law permits the charge.
That makes a separately labeled administration, processing or service fee an important line item to identify rather than blending it into the usage/allocation amount.
Common-area and shared-facility costs are a separate checkpoint
The enacted Colorado framework excludes utility costs for common areas or shared facilities from the charges allocated to tenants through the ratio utility billing system. Ask what portions of the master bill were removed before the tenant allocation was calculated.
Compare the actual formula with the rental agreement
The landlord must clearly disclose the allocation method for the dwelling unit in the rental agreement. Preserve the utility addendum and compare the stated occupancy, square-footage or other allocation inputs with what appears on the bill.
A future construction rule begins with July 1, 2027 permit applications
HB26-1013 also provides that residential premises constructed under permits applied for on or after July 1, 2027 must have utility service metered directly by the utility provider or by a submeter.
That future construction requirement does not mean every Colorado rental must already have an individual meter in 2026. Check the construction/permit timing before relying on the 2027 metering provision.
What to request for a disputed Colorado RUBS bill
- Current and prior tenant utility statements.
- Lease and utility/RUBS addendum showing the allocation method.
- Underlying utility-provider or master bill when available.
- Calculation showing exclusion of common-area/shared-facility utility costs.
- Occupancy, square-footage or other allocation inputs used for the unit.
- Any separately stated administration, processing or service fee.
Compare this issue across states
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Official sources
Official enacted-bill page for Colorado’s current ratio utility billing system requirements. The bill became law and the session-law effective date shown by the General Assembly is March 26, 2026.
Colorado General Assembly2026 Preliminary Digest — HB26-1013 ↗Official legislative digest summarizing the enacted utility-allocation requirements and effective-date information.