Avoiding Pet Fees with an ESA Letter in Colorado: A Guide for Renters

 

Avoiding Pet Fees with an ESA Letter in Colorado: A Guide for Renters

For pet owners across Colorado, navigating housing restrictions and expensive pet fees can be frustrating—especially when you're relying on your animal for emotional support. If your companion helps ease anxiety, depression, or other emotional challenges, you may be able to legally avoid pet fees and restrictive housing policies by having a valid Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter. Here's what Colorado renters need to know—and how PetCerts.com makes it easy to protect your rights.

What Is an ESA Letter?

An ESA letter is a legally recognized document from a licensed mental health professional that affirms your need for an emotional support animal. This letter ensures protections under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which prohibits landlords from charging pet fees or denying housing based on the presence of an ESA—even in pet-restricted housing.

Pet Fees in Colorado: The Cost of Renting with a Pet

Colorado landlords commonly charge:

• Non-refundable pet deposits (anywhere from $200–$500)

• Monthly pet rent (typically $25–$50/month per animal)

These fees quickly add up and can be a barrier for individuals who depend on their animal for emotional or psychological stability. Thankfully, if your animal qualifies as an ESA, the FHA states that landlords must waive these fees.

Does Your Animal Qualify as an ESA?

Your animal doesn’t need to be specially trained like a service dog. An ESA can be any domestic animal that offers comfort simply through companionship. If you're experiencing emotional challenges such as:

• Anxiety

• PTSD

• Depression

• Panic disorders

• Chronic stress

...you may be eligible for an ESA letter that protects your right to live with your animal—fee-free—in most housing across Colorado.

How PetCerts.com Helps

At PetCerts.com, we specialize in providing legitimate PSD (Psychiatric Service Dog) Housing and Travel Letters, which go even further than traditional ESA letters. While ESA letters cover housing rights under the FHA, our PSD letters also protect your right to fly with your dog in-cabin under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).

Even better? A qualified psychiatric service dog can still provide emotional support—just with added federal protections for both housing and travel. It’s the strongest protection available for those with emotional or psychological disabilities.

Colorado Landlord Rules: Know Your Rights

With a valid ESA letter, Colorado landlords are required to:

• Waive pet deposits and monthly pet rent

• Allow the animal, even in “no-pets” properties

• Accommodate you under federal law (unless the animal poses a direct threat or causes substantial damage)

They cannot:

• Ask for medical records

• Require your animal to have special training

• Charge fees based solely on the animal’s presence
  Avoiding unnecessary pet fees in Colorado is not only possible—it’s your legal right when you have an ESA or PSD letter backed by federal protections. If your pet is more than just a pet—if they're part of your emotional wellbeing—PetCerts.com can help you access the proper documentation to protect your rights and your bond.