The development of CKD is accompanied by a progressive decrease in the ability to produce 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Recent evidence suggests that extrarenal conversion of 25-hydroxyvitamin D to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D may have significant biological roles beyond those traditionally ascribed to vitamin D. Furthermore, low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are common in patients with all stages of CKD. Vitamin D has been implicated in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk, as well as infectious mortality risk, in CKD. Thus, achievement and maintenance of adequate vitamin D status may have a role in managing inflammation and immunity, and ultimately, reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD. This article focuses on the role of nutritional vitamin D replacement in CKD and aims to review vitamin D biology and summarize the existing literature regarding nutritional vitamin D replacement in these populations.