Found Drugs or Drug Paraphernalia in an Evicted Denver Unit — The Colorado Law Breakdown

Four threat levels. Four different protocols. From legal marijuana paraphernalia to active drug operations — here is exactly how we handle each one.

Drug-related items found during Denver eviction cleanouts fall into 4 levels: marijuana paraphernalia (legal — dispose as trash), hard drug paraphernalia like needles (biohazard protocol — refer to Bio-One Denver), active operation evidence like scales and baggies (stop work — law enforcement), and actual drugs (never touch — law enforcement only). Colorado law CRS 18-18-428 means landlords have no criminal exposure for simply finding drugs. Everything is documented on timestamped video. Call (303) 324-6014 for eviction cleanout coordination.

Items: Pipes, grinders, bongs, rolling papers, empty THC containers, vape cartridges, edible packaging.

Protocol: Marijuana is legal in Colorado. These items are personal property. Photograph for documentation, then dispose as regular trash during the cleanout. No law enforcement involvement needed. No additional cost.

Why it matters for landlords: If the tenant later claims you destroyed valuable glass pieces or collectible items, your timestamped photos prove what was found and its condition. Documentation protects you.

Items: Needles, syringes, spoons with residue, cut straws, glass pipes with meth residue, tourniquets, tin foil with burn marks.

Protocol: Needles and syringes are biohazardous sharps. They cannot go in our truck. They cannot go in a dumpster. They require proper sharps disposal by a licensed biohazard company.

Cost impact: Biohazard sharps disposal is an additional cost beyond the standard eviction cleanout. Bio-One provides their own quote. Our cleanout proceeds in areas without biohazard contamination while they handle sharps removal.

Items: Digital scales, large quantities of small baggies, cutting equipment, baking soda or powders in bulk, chemical supplies, large amounts of cash, multiple cell phones, ledgers or notebooks with names and amounts.

Protocol:

Landlords are not criminally liable for what a tenant leaves behind. But disturbing evidence of an active operation before law enforcement documents it could compromise a prosecution — and that creates civil liability.

Items: Any substance that appears to be methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, pills not in pharmacy packaging, or any unidentified powder, crystal, or liquid.

Protocol:

Landlord protection: CRS 18-18-428 — finding drugs in your property is not possession. You have zero criminal exposure for discovering controlled substances left behind by a tenant. But you must report it and not dispose of it yourself.

Drug Evidence in the Unit? We Know the Protocol.

4-level response system. Biohazard partner on-call. Full documentation for your records.

Licensed • Insured • Biohazard Partner On-Call • Denver Metro-Wide