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Denver tenants say landlord tripled utility charges after new state law

Denver7 · · 695 words · By Jaclyn Allen
Renter Financial Stability Utility Billing Law Changes
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DENVER — A law passed in Colorado last year was supposed to protect renters from hidden “junk fees” and make apartment billing more transparent.

Claims checked 19
Techniques found 1
Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center75%
Right25%

4 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

DENVER — A law passed in Colorado last year was supposed to protect renters from hidden “junk fees” and make apartment billing more transparent.

Why it matters

But some tenants say it’s had an unintended effect and is skyrocketing their monthly utility bills.

Common ground

At Tamai Tower at Sakura Square in downtown Denver, tenant Tyler Driver said for almost two years, he knew exactly what his monthly utilities would cost: $73 a month.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.denver7.com/news/investigations/denver-tenants-say-landlord-tripled-…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 70% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 19 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 9
info Single Source 6
check_circle Corroborated 2
help Insufficient Evidence 2
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Claim 1: “Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Arapahoe County, another sponsor, acknowledged there were some unintended consequences from 1090 before lawmakers passed HB26‑1013 as a fix.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 2: “She explained: “There should not be any increasing costs from ratio utility billing, because 1013 fixed that. … Nothing has changed the amount that is being charged by Xcel Energy, or whoever their utility company is — it should still be the same.””
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 3: “Driver said the hikes began in January, when House Bill 25‑1090 took effect.”
SINGLE SOURCE
Similar to Claim 2, the evidence provided for this claim only contains general web search results about 'Tyler' and unrelated Wikipedia entries. None of the evidence confirms the specific statement that utility rate increases began in January when House Bill 25-1090 took effect.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Adam Douglas Driver (born November 19, 1983) is an American actor. His breakout performance as an emotionally unstable actor in the HBO television series Girls (2012–2017) earned him three consecutive…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Driver
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Paul Archer Tyler, Baron Tyler (born 29 October 1941) is a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) from February to October 1974 and from 1992 to 2005, an…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Tyler
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Oval is an American political drama soap opera created, executive produced, written, and directed by Tyler Perry, which premiered on October 23, 2019, on BET. The series chronicles the lives of a …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oval_(TV_series)
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 4: “A law passed in Colorado last year was supposed to protect renters from hidden “junk fees” and make apartment billing more transparent.”
CORROBORATED
Web search results reference HB25-1090 and HB23-1095, indicating that Colorado legislation was passed to protect renters from 'junk fees' and improve transparency. The evidence points to specific bills related to this topic.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Bill is supplemental to HB23-1095, which was passed in 2023 to protect renters from “junk fees” and lower the rate of evictions in Colorado (the “2023 Bill”).The Bill Will Impose Additional Prohib…
https://www.ottenjohnson.com/news/hb25-1090-colorados-reside…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The year before, in 2021, the company paid $2.5 million to resolve allegations that it charged tenant screening fees in Washington state without providing the legally required disclosures. What do you…
https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — To effectively protect renters from retaliation and discrimination, Thomas argues that more state regulations are needed. “Until fees are regulated, landlords will continue to be able to use fees to i…
https://www.investigatewest.org/wa-renters-say-unregulated-j…
info
Claim 5: “Lawmakers said the law allows flat-rate billing, but not for a profit.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provided for this claim contains general web search results about Microsoft and does not contain any information regarding lawmakers' statements about flat-rate billing being permitted but not for profit.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Microsoft campus is the corporate headquarters of Microsoft Corporation, located in Redmond, Washington, United States, a part of the Seattle metropolitan area. Microsoft initially moved onto the …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_campus
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Get reviews, hours, directions, coupons and more for Microsoft Corporation. Search for other Direct Mail Advertising on The Real Yellow Pages®.
https://www.yellowpages.com/redmond-wa/mip/microsoft-corpora…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 4 days ago · Microsoft has had three headquarters, first in Albuquerque, then in Bellevue, and now in Redmond, Washington. Its Redmond campus features forests, outdoor wifi, and treehouse meeting room…
https://www.thestreet.com/investing/stocks/microsoft-headqua…
schedule
Claim 6: “Smith also said the recent dramatic spikes — more than $200 for some residents — were tied to an administrative issue: two months of utility usage from late 2025 were not billed on time.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
help
Claim 7: “State Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver and Arapahoe counties, also a prime sponsor, said in a written statement: “This law authorizes landlords to continue using a ratio utility billing system and clarifies that this is not considered a ‘junk fee’ under Colorado law to divide utility charges among tenants.””
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was gathered for this claim, as indicated by the evidence section.
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Claim 8: “Both note that HB26‑1013, signed into law March 27, 2026, was passed to address any confusion, making clear that landlords can continue either ratio billing or fixed‑rate arrangements as long as they only pass through actual utility costs without adding prohibited fees.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 9: “Those charges, for December 2025 and January 2026, were spread over March and April bills instead of being billed all at once.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 10: “His landlord, Cornerstone Apartments, told him the change was because the bill “prohibits landlords from charging a fixed rate for utilities.””
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provided for this claim contains general information about utility splitting methods (like flat fees) but does not contain the specific statement from Cornerstone Apartments attributing the billing change to a bill prohibiting fixed utility rates.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — With the flat fee approach, landlords charge tenants a fixed amount for utilities each month. The landlord calculates an average utility cost for the property (based on historical bills) and divides i…
https://www.tieronerents.com/blog/smart-ways-to-split-utilit…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — – Due to the end of pandemic utility assistance programs, the City of Santa Ana is preparing to resume service discontinuations for water customers beginning July 4, 2024. However, water service disco…
https://www.santa-ana.org/santa-ana-residents-will-now-have-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The bill is also designed to enhance tenant protections, including prohibiting landlords from charging higher fees for month-to-month agreements compared to long-term leases.
https://komonews.com/news/local/washington-rent-control-bill…
schedule
Claim 11: “In a statement to Denver7, Cornerstone Operations Director Jake Smith said the company changed Tamai Tower’s billing from flat‑rate ratio billing to “actual meter‑based usage readings” on Jan. 1 to comply with the law.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 12: “He said that while the transition did result in higher bills, “the increase reflects more precise measurement of consumption rather than estimated or averaged charges used previously.””
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
help
Claim 13: “State Sen. Mike Weissman, D-Adams and Arapahoe counties, who sponsored HB25‑1090, told Denver7 Investigates in a statement: “1090 always intended to allow ratio utility billing — provided junk fees weren’t piled on top. You can meter individually or you can meter via ratio, but you can’t use it as a profit center.””
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was gathered for this claim, as indicated by the evidence section.
schedule
Claim 14: “HB26‑1013, now in effect, clarifies that landlords can keep fixed‑rate or ratio billing without fear of violating HB25‑1090, as long as they are charging only what the utility provider charges, plus any allowed capped administrative fee.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 15: “In an email to Driver, Cornerstone also noted that under the previous flat rate, residents had been paying about 50% less than actual usage costs for years, with ownership covering the difference.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 16: “Another resident, Kai Wilson, said his flat $85 utility fee jumped to more than $150, and even to $300 in one month when two billing cycles were combined.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provided for this claim contains general web search results and Wikipedia entries that do not corroborate the specific figures or the report from Kai Wilson regarding his utility fee increase.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Cobra Kai is an American martial arts comedy drama television series created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, and distributed by Sony Pictures Television. It serves as a sequel to t…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobra_Kai
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Kai Ashante Wilson is an American author of speculative fiction active since 2013.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kai_Ashante_Wilson
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Wilson Parking (Chinese: 威信停車場) is a Hong Kong-based car parking management company. It first opened for business in Perth, Western Australia in 1962, and currently operates in Australia, New Zealand,…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson_Parking
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
Claim 17: “Now, it’s been almost tripled — sometimes over $200 — and I’ve lost the ability to budget,” Driver told Denver7 Investigates.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provided for this claim only contains general web search results about 'Tyler' (Texas, racing driver, actor) and Wikipedia entries for unrelated topics. None of the evidence confirms the specific statement made by Tyler Driver regarding his utility costs tripling to over $200.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Brian Tyler (born October 27, 1967) is an American auto racing driver. Tyler was a back-to-back USAC National Sprint car Champion for Larry Contos Racing in 1996 and 1997. He made ten starts in the In…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Tyler_(racing_driver)
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2023 NXT Deadline (stylized as DEADL1NE) was a professional wrestling event produced by WWE. It was the second annual Deadline held for the promotion's developmental brand NXT. The event took plac…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NXT_Deadline_(2023)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Tyler George Reddick (born January 11, 1996) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 45 Toyota Camry XSE for 23XI Racing. R…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyler_Reddick
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
Claim 18: “At Tamai Tower at Sakura Square in downtown Denver, tenant Tyler Driver said for almost two years, he knew exactly what his monthly utilities would cost: $73 a month.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provided for this claim only contains general information about Tamai Tower, such as pet fees and general utility billing notes, but none of the retrieved web results confirm the specific claim that Tyler Driver stated his utility cost was $73 for almost two years.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Tamai Tower is the definition of urban apartment living!$35/Month Pet Rent (Per Pet). Utilities: Billed by a Third-Party Company - Utility Amount Changes Monthly Based on Usage. Uncovered Parking: $16…
https://cornerstoneapartments.com/our-buildings/tamai-tower-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Find your new home at Tamai Tower at Sakura Square located at 1255 19th St, Denver, CO 80202. Floor plans starting at $1000. Check availability now!Utilities may not be included in the rent. Please re…
https://www.apartmentguide.com/a/Tamai-Tower-At-Sakura-Squar…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — To have a cat at Tamai Tower at Sakura Square there is a required deposit of $300. This building has monthly fee of $35 for cats.Affiliated Business Arrangement Disclosure Zillow, Inc. holds real esta…
https://www.zillow.com/apartments/denver-co/tamai-tower-at-s…
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Claim 19: “The law requires landlords to disclose all fees and prohibits bundling undisclosed charges into rent.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results discuss the need for landlord disclosures and fee transparency in Colorado and general rental law, aligning with the claim that laws require landlords to disclose fees and prohibit bundling undisclosed charges.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Almost all U.S. rental laws require landlords to disclose what is included in rent. The principle comes from the Implied Warranty of Habitability as landlords must provide a habitable space, including…
https://sbbarristers.com/can-landlords-include-utilities-in-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Colorado’s 2026 rental law updates bring major changes for Denver landlords. Learn from PMI Elevation which 10 essential lease clauses to include—covering fee transparency, deposits, tenant rights, an…
https://www.denverpropertymanagementinc.net/blog/top-10-leas…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Required Landlord Disclosures: What Landlords Must Tell Tenants. A guide to the mandatory information landlords must provide to tenants under federal, state, and local laws, along with the potential p…
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/required-landlord-di…
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.