In a win for housing advocates, state lawmakers passed House Bill 24-1098, or the “For Cause Eviction” bill, which intends to protect renters from biased or discriminatory lease termination. It’s just the latest of several tenant protection bills that have been proposed to state legislators in recent years as Colorado grapples with an increasingly challenging housing market. But as local renters wait out the legislative slog, they are taking the fight for their rights into their own hands — with tenants unions. Popping up with increasing frequency across the Denver metro, we’ve seen examples in Globeville, Lakewood, Elyria-Swansea, Cap Hill, and the Kennedy neighborhood.
What Is a Tenants Union?
A tenants union is formed when a group of renters residing in the same housing complex informally band together to collectively organize for better living conditions. Like a labor union, the goal is to push for change and exercise their rights as a united front. They are typically made up of people living in the same building or complex, but they can also be renters living in the same city or neighborhood.
How Do They Work?
As a group, or sometimes through a designated spokesperson, the union works to negotiate with landlords to address common concerns — unprecedented rent spikes, prolonged maintenance, safety issues, etc. Like a labor union, tenants unions can file complaints with the city, picket, campaign for political changes, or organize a rent strike.
I think it’s a sign of people being fed up … By renters coming together, they’re simply leveling the playing field.
Carmen Medrano, Co-chair of Colorado Homes For All
How Do I Learn More?
Organizations like the Denver Metro Tenants Union or the Denver-Aurora Tenants United help renters understand their rights and can help those interested in forming their own union.
