Carbon Monoxide Law when Selling Your Home

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that can be fatal if left undetected. All homes should have carbon monoxide detectors and rental homes are required to by law. For more information go to Carbon Monixide Info 

What Are The Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detector Requirements In Colorado?

Short answer: You need them. Every house built in Colorado is required to have a CO detector.

As of July 1, 2009, Governor Bill Ritter signed into law Colorado House Bill 1091 which states that all dwellings that are built, rented, remodeled or sold must have a carbon monoxide detector installed. This is required on all homes that have a fossil fuel burning device for heat, a fireplace of any kind, or an attached garage.

The only exception to this rule is in multi-family properties where there may be a global fire alarm and CO detection system in place. If this is the case, your HOA/property management company will need to follow their own guidelines.

When a home inspection is performed, missing detectors will be noted and state that they are required to be installed. By Colorado law, the seller must install the units before the sale is completed.

Where Do I Place the Detectors?

Colorado Law states that the detectors need to be placed within 15 feet of all sleeping rooms.

If all the bedrooms in a home are located in the same hallway, only one detector is needed in the hallway. This can be a stand-alone unit or a combination with the smoke alarm.

Carbon monoxide detector requirements state that this is the only location necessary. However, this applies to all sleeping areas. So if you have bedrooms on every floor of your home, you will need a detector outside of each one.