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ARTICLE · 01 APRIL 2026

Existing Colorado Multifamily Housing Developments Can Continue Using RUBS Under New Law

Colorado's new House Bill 26-1013 resolves uncertainty surrounding Ratio Utility Billing Systems (RUBS) in multifamily housing by clarifying that landlords may continue allocating utility costs among tenants, provided they follow specific billing practices and disclosure requirements. The legislation establishes guardrails against overbilling while requiring new developments after July 2027 to incorporate individual metering infrastructure.

United StatesReal Estate and Construction

Highlights

  • Following a request last year by Holland & Knight, the Colorado Attorney General's office issued a clarification for multifamily housing developers, providers and property owners using Ratio Utility Billing Systems, commonly known as "RUBS."
  • Existing multifamily housing developments may continue using RUBS as long as landlords implement certain billing practices.
  • However, multifamily housing developed after July 1, 2027, must be constructed with metered utility systems.

The Colorado legislature in 2025 passed House Bill (HB) 25-1090, a sweeping price transparency law codified at Section 6-1-737 of the Colorado Revised Statutes. Among its provisions, the law restricted what charges landlords could pass on to tenants, including those related to utilities. Though the law was aimed at eliminating hidden fees and promoting transparency in residential leasing, it created significant uncertainty for Colorado's housing industry – particularly for the thousands of

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