Cal. Civ. Code § 24-34-506
Probable cause.
Operative Text
In making his determination on probable cause under the provisions of section 24-34-306 (2), the director shall find that probable cause exists if upon all the facts and circumstances a person of reasonable prudence and caution would be warranted in a belief that an unfair housing practice has been committed.
Under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 24-34-506, the director responsible for reviewing housing discrimination complaints applies a 'reasonable prudence and caution' standard when deciding whether probable cause exists. This means the director evaluates all available facts and circumstances to determine whether a reasonably careful person would believe an unfair housing practice occurred. The provision does not require certainty—only that the totality of the evidence supports a reasonable belief that a violation took place.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 24-34-506 establishes the threshold at which a housing discrimination complaint advances past the initial review stage. Operators who maintain thorough documentation of their rental decisions, policies, and communications are generally better positioned to demonstrate that their practices are consistent and non-discriminatory during a probable cause review. Understanding that the director's standard is based on the overall picture of facts—not a single piece of evidence—underscores why consistent, well-documented practices matter throughout the leasing and management process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 24-34-506 sets out the standard the director uses when deciding whether a housing discrimination complaint has enough support to move forward. A complainant does not need to prove their case outright at this stage; the director only needs to find that a reasonable person, looking at all the facts, could believe an unfair housing practice occurred. Tenants who believe they have experienced housing discrimination may consider filing a complaint with the appropriate state agency, documenting relevant interactions and communications, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization to better understand the process.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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