Baca County, Colorado Eviction Risk: Low

Baca County sits in the far southeastern corner of Colorado's plains, covering roughly 2,275 residents across six small communities. The county carries a Low eviction risk score of 3.7/10, placing it 57th out of 64 Colorado counties - meaning only 7 counties in the state are less risky for landlords. That ranking reflects a rural housing market where average monthly rent of $566 is among the lowest in Colorado, though a 30.3% rent burden rate signals that many renters in the county are already spending a significant share of income on housing. With 22.5% of residents below the poverty line and 35.2% of households renting rather than owning, the tenant pool is financially stretched even at these modest rent levels.

Within the county, Springfield - the county seat with a population of 1,384 - carries the highest local score at 3.8/10, tied with Walsh (pop. 492). Pritchett scores 3.7/10, while Vilas and Campo each come in at 3.4/10, and Two Buttes registers the lowest local reading at 3.2/10. The narrow range between 3.2 and 3.8 across all six cities indicates reasonably consistent conditions throughout the county rather than pockets of concentrated stress. Springfield's position as the largest city and county seat means it drives most eviction filings and court activity for the area.

Colorado's statewide landlord-tenant framework under C.R.S. § 38-12 (Tenants and Landlords) applies in full to Baca County. The statute requires just cause for most terminations, mandates a 48-hour entry notice before landlord access, and establishes habitability standards under C.R.S. § 38-12-503 along with anti-retaliation protections under C.R.S. § 38-12-509. The state does not preempt local rent control, though no local ordinances are in effect in Baca County. Eviction filings cost between $105 and $200 in court fees; sheriff lockout fees run $50 to $200; and landlords should budget $750 to $3,500 for attorney representation in contested matters. Uncontested cases typically resolve in 21 to 45 days; contested proceedings stretch to 60 to 120 days. Colorado's source-of-income protections - covering housing vouchers and similar assistance - are also active statewide and relevant given the county's 22.5% poverty rate.

Baca County's Low risk score reflects its remote, low-density rental market where rents are modest but poverty rates are high enough that even small income disruptions can push tenants toward nonpayment - making consistent lease enforcement and awareness of Colorado eviction laws's 10-day notice requirement under C.R.S. 13-40-104(1)(d) especially important for local landlords.