House Lockout in Fort Collins, CO

Which kind of home you are locked out of

What a house lockout involves in Fort Collins depends on when the home was built and who holds the keys. Census Bureau estimates for 2024 show homebuilding peaked in the 2000s, the decade behind 21.5 percent of homes, and that 49.0 percent of households rent.

• An older Midtown house. The Laurel School National Register Historic District, also known as Midtown, has 549 contributing buildings in Late Victorian and Bungalow/Craftsman styles. A house like that can have front, side and porch doors whose hardware differs, so check every entry first, then name the locked one.
• A newer house. A home from the 2000s peak may have a standard knob and deadbolt at the front. If an attached garage has a door into the house, say whether that door is locked too.
• A rented unit. Your landlord or property manager may hold a spare key. In a building with a shared entrance, the outer door may belong to the building, so contact the manager first.

Proof that you live there

Whoever opens the door should confirm that you belong inside, so have photo ID showing the address. If it lists an old address, a lease or a deed in your name can serve too. If the papers are inside, say so.

For renters, C.R.S. 38-12-510 bars a landlord from removing or excluding a tenant without court process, except in cases such as mutual consent or abandonment; that includes willfully removing doors, windows or locks other than for repair or maintenance. This is general information, not legal advice.

Waiting outside

Colorado State University's Colorado Climate Center describes large day-to-night temperature changes across the state, so a mild afternoon can turn cold after dark. Wait in a car, with a neighbor or in a nearby business. If someone inside cannot get to the door, call 911 before anything else.

What to send

A useful request names the street and nearest cross street, the locked door, and whether the keys are lost or simply inside. When they are lost, ask about lock rekeying as well. Details of the service are on the house lockout page, and the city's other local notes are on the Fort Collins page.