Tenant Responsible for Sewer Pipe?

[Mark S.]

I have a family member that asked me about an issue he's having with his current landlord. I told him I'd ask the community to see what everyone thinks. He and his family are currently renting in Colorado. They've been in the same single family house for the past 4-5 years. There have been some issues with the sewer line or sewer pipe going from the house to the street. In the newest lease, the landlord is attempting to make him responsible for any repairs needed that have to do with this pipe. He got an estimate from a plummer that said it would be $12-$15K to fix this issue, having to dig way into the ground, etc. I told him that my best guess is that this is NOT something he should be responsible for. I believe this one is on the landlord. What do you guys think?