Cancelling a gym membership in Colorado: your rights

Health clubs – deceptive trade practices (Colorado Consumer Protection Act)

C.R.S. § 6-1-704 (definitions in C.R.S. § 6-1-102)

Change your mind after signing

A health club commits a deceptive trade practice if it does not let a buyer rescind (cancel) the membership contract within three business days after the buyer receives a copy of the contract (§ 6-1-704(1)(a)). The club must give conspicuous notice that the buyer may rescind 'either by telegram, mail, or hand delivery'. Notice of rescission counts as given when postmarked (mail), when filed for transmission (telegram), or when delivered to the seller's place of business (hand delivery) (§ 6-1-704(1)(b)). The club must refund all payments under the contract, less a prorated fee for days the buyer actually used the club, within fifteen days after it receives the buyer's written notice of rescission (§ 6-1-704(1)(d)). 'Business day' means any calendar day except Sunday and listed state holidays, so Saturdays count (§ 6-1-102(3)).

If you move away

There is no right to cancel because the member moves. The statute does let the buyer cancel if the health club moves more than five miles from where it was when the buyer signed. It also allows cancellation if the membership is transferred to a location more than five miles away because the original location stopped providing health club services (§ 6-1-704(1)(c)(III)–(IV)).

If you become disabled or ill

The buyer may cancel if they become 'totally physically disabled as determined by a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse for the duration of the membership contract' (§ 6-1-704(1)(c)(II)). The statute does not specify a refund amount or deadline for this kind of cancellation.

If the member dies

The buyer's estate may cancel the membership contract if the buyer dies (§ 6-1-704(1)(c)(I)). The statute does not specify a refund amount or deadline for this kind of cancellation.

How notice can be given

For the three-business-day rescission: by telegram, mail or hand delivery, with mail notice effective when postmarked (§ 6-1-704(1)(b)). The refund deadline runs from the seller's receipt of 'written notice of rescission' (§ 6-1-704(1)(d)). The statute does not say how notice must be given for the death, disability, club-relocation or closure cancellations.

Limits on contracts

A club may not sell a membership contract whose actual or financial length, including any renewal option, is longer than 24 months. Contracts of up to 36 months, with annual renewal options after that, are allowed only if: the club has operated in Colorado for more than two years; it keeps a $100,000-per-location surety bond (or approved security) payable to the state for injured buyers; and the annual renewal 'is not automatic but requires that the buyer affirmatively accept the renewal option by notice in writing', no more than six months before the term ends (§ 6-1-704(1)(f)). Clubs may not say that a membership is for a lifetime or is perpetual (§ 6-1-704(1)(g)).

Other rules

Scope: 'health club' means an establishment providing health club services or facilities that claim to improve or maintain a user's physical condition or appearance through exercise. It includes spas, exercise clubs, exercise gyms, health studios and playing courts. It excludes: establishments run by a nonprofit or by a public or private school, college or university; those run by the federal government, the State or its political subdivisions; establishments whose primary purpose is not health club services or facilities; and licensed or certified health-care facilities (§ 6-1-102(12)). Other cancellation rights: the club closes permanently, or is sold and the quality of services, facilities or benefits changes substantially so they no longer match the contract. The club then has a 30-day 'right to cure', during which the buyer's fees are suspended (§ 6-1-704(1)(c)(V)). Pre-opening sales: the contract must state the opening date and pre-opening money must be escrowed or secured by a $50,000 surety. The buyer may cancel for a full refund if opening is delayed more than 60 days past the stated date (§ 6-1-704(1)(e)). Coercive sales tactics and misrepresenting services are prohibited (§ 6-1-704(1)(g)). Violations are deceptive trade practices under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, art. 1 of title 6. Registration: § 6-1-704 contains no general registration requirement for health clubs. The Attorney General accepts the surety bond required only of clubs selling contracts longer than 24 months. Currency: the CRS 2026 text shows a 2026 amendment (HB 26-1426, ch. 334, effective August 12, 2026) that changed only the introductory wording and (1)(c)(V); the substance shown above is the same as the pre-2026 text.

Automatic renewal and online cancellation

C.R.S. § 6-1-732 (added by HB 21-1239, effective January 1, 2022; amended by SB 25-145, 2025 Colo. Sess. Laws ch. 368)

A business must provide 'a simple, cost-effective, timely, easy-to-use, and readily accessible mechanism' for cancelling an automatic renewal contract or trial. Since SB 25-145, which applies to automatic renewal contracts offered or renewed on or after August 6, 2025, a business is 'deemed to comply' in one of two ways (§ 6-1-732(2)(d)). (I) If the consumer signed up through a website, other online medium or electronic communication: by offering a 'one-step online cancellation link' on its website or in an electronic communication, available immediately after a reasonable authentication step. (II) If the consumer signed up some other way, for example in person: by offering either such a one-step online link, or an in-person cancellation mechanism at a physical location where the consumer regularly uses the services. 'One-step online cancellation' means an online method that does not require extra steps that obstruct or delay immediate termination (§ 6-1-732(1)(d.7)). If a business shows a retention offer during online cancellation, it must at the same time show a prominent direct link to cancel. If the consumer uses that link, the business must promptly process the cancellation (§ 6-1-732(2.5)). Before August 6, 2025, a business was deemed compliant by offering either a one-step online link or an in-person mechanism, whatever the sign-up method.

Definition: 'automatic renewal contract' means a plan or arrangement in which a paid subscription or purchasing agreement 'is automatically renewed at the end of a definite term for a subsequent term or on a continuous or recurring basis' (§ 6-1-732(1)(a)), which can cover recurring gym memberships. There is no exemption for health clubs. The listed exemptions are utilities and PUC-authorized services, FCC/FERC/PUC-regulated services, insurance entities, banks, credit unions and other financial institutions, and air carriers (§ 6-1-732(5)). Other duties: clear and conspicuous terms before the contract is made; a written acknowledgment with the cancellation policy and how to cancel; notice of material changes; and a renewal reminder by mail, email or another authorized method 25–40 days before renewals. For renewal terms under 12 months, a reminder is due before each renewal that would extend the contract beyond a continuous 12-month period (§ 6-1-732(2)–(4)). Automatic renewal offer terms must say the contract renews for a set term not over one year unless the consumer gives express written consent to a longer term (§ 6-1-732(1)(b)(I)). The definition of 'consumer' was broadened by SB 25-145 effective February 16, 2026. Enforcement: 'The attorney general and the district attorneys of the state have exclusive authority to enforce this section' (§ 6-1-732(6)). The AG may adopt rules (§ 6-1-732(7)); no such rules were found in this research. Separately, for gym contracts of 24–36 months, § 6-1-704(1)(f)(VII) requires that annual renewal not be automatic.

Good to know

Colorado has a health club statute, but it sits inside the Consumer Protection Act as a list of deceptive trade practices (§ 6-1-704) rather than a separate act. It gives a three-business-day rescission right (notice effective when postmarked if mailed) and cancellation rights for death, total physical disability, the club moving more than five miles, and club closure or sale. It does not give a right to cancel because the member moves. Contracts generally cannot exceed 24 months, or 36 months with a bond and a non-automatic renewal. Under the automatic renewal law (§ 6-1-732), members who joined online should be offered a one-step online cancellation link for contracts offered or renewed since August 6, 2025. A gym where the member joined in person may instead rely on in-person cancellation at the location the member regularly uses. Ordinary cancellation outside these rights is governed by the membership contract.

Putting it in writing

Whatever the law says, a written notice you can prove is the safest way to cancel. A letter sent by USPS Certified Mail with a return receipt shows when your notice was mailed and delivered, and who signed for it.

Sources

1. Colorado Attorney General – Health Club Bonds (quotes and summarizes C.R.S. § 6-1-704) (official, 2026-10-11)
2. Colorado Attorney General – Health Club Bonds (24–36 month contracts) (official, 2026-10-11)
3. Session Laws of Colorado 2025, ch. 368 (SB 25-145) – Right of a consumer to cancel automatic renewal contracts online (Colorado General Assembly) (official, 2026-10-11)
4. Session Laws of Colorado 2025, ch. 368 (SB 25-145) – in-person alternative for non-online sign-ups (official, 2026-10-11)
5. Session Laws of Colorado 2025, ch. 368 (SB 25-145) – applicability and approval (official, 2026-10-11)
6. Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, Title 6 (OLLS-format PDF hosted at olls.info; host not confirmed as an official state domain) – § 6-1-704 (secondary, 2026-10-11)
7. Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, Title 6 (olls.info) – § 6-1-704(1)(b) notice of rescission (secondary, 2026-10-11)
8. Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, Title 6 (olls.info) – § 6-1-704(1)(c)(II) disability (secondary, 2026-10-11)
9. Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, Title 6 (olls.info) – § 6-1-704(1)(d) refund (secondary, 2026-10-11)
10. Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, Title 6 (olls.info) – § 6-1-704 source note (2026 amendment) (secondary, 2026-10-11)
11. Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, Title 6 (olls.info) – § 6-1-102(12) 'Health club' definition (secondary, 2026-10-11)
12. Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, Title 6 (olls.info) – § 6-1-732 source note and editor's note (secondary, 2026-10-11)
13. Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, Title 6 (olls.info) – § 6-1-732(6) enforcement (secondary, 2026-10-11)
14. Colorado.Public.Law – C.R.S. 6-1-704 Health clubs (text drawn from the official CRS 2024 Title 6 PDF; corroborates 2026 text) (secondary, 2026-10-11)
15. Colorado.Public.Law – C.R.S. 6-1-732 Automatic renewal contracts (pre-SB 25-145 text; corroborates definitions and exemptions) (secondary, 2026-10-11)

This page explains the law in plain words. It is not legal advice and may not cover every case; laws change, so check the official text or ask a lawyer about your situation. CancelSent is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. We prepare, print and mail the letter you sign, as your mailing service. Whether and when a gym cancels depends on your agreement and the law where you live.