Denver is the top pet-friendly city for renters

Denver is the fifth most pet-friendly city in the nation for renters, according to a new analysis from Zillow.

Important reasons: Finding affordable housing here is hard enough, and securing a place to host your furry friend without spending a fortune can be even more difficult.

By numbers: As of January, more than 75% of Denver rentals allow animals, according to Zillow data.

• This is well above the national average of 55% and just 4% below Zillow’s top-ranked city, Austin, Texas.

Yes, but: Landlords often add fees and extra rent to tenants who have pets, and this can disproportionately affect low-income households.

• Fox31 reports that a one-time pet fee is around $250 in Denver, and it’s unclear if it’s refundable.
• For example, Red Peak, which has more than 50 properties in the area, has an upfront fee of $200 to $500 and a monthly pet fee of $25 to $40.

State of play: Rep. Alex Valdez (D-Denver) has introduced legislation to eliminate pet-related fees to reduce costs for cash-strapped residents and ease pressure on overcrowded animal shelters.

• The bill, which is facing an uphill battle due to a lack of co-sponsors and criticism from the Colorado Apartment Association, will also create a fund that will reimburse landlords up to $1,000 for pet damage.
• An association representing landlords of more than 350,000 apartments in the state argues that rents and security deposits will rise to offset potential wear and tear caused by pets.

Big picture: Due to the pandemic’s pet boom, 59% of renters nationwide report having at least one pet in 2022, compared to 46% in 2019, according to Zillow data.