Colorado Springs Rental Market Overview
Colorado Springs 1BR averages $1,200–1,600/month. Old Colorado City and downtown Colorado Springs command premiums. Military bases (Peterson, Fort Carson, Schriever, NORAD) create significant rental demand. The tech and defense contractor commercial market has grown significantly.
Common Lease Terms in Colorado Springs
These are the lease terms most commonly seen in Colorado Springs's rental market. Knowing what's standard gives you a baseline for negotiation.
- 12 months residential; 3-5 years commercial
Local Tenant Protections
Colorado law provides the baseline for tenant rights, but Colorado Springs may have additional local ordinances that affect your lease.
Local rules vary and can change. Check current state and local rules using the resources below.
Colorado statewide rules
Security deposit limits, deposit return deadlines, landlord entry notice, and rent rules are set by state and local law, and they change over time. Our Colorado pages on late fees and security deposit interest link the primary statute and show when it was last checked. Confirm the current rule with the statute itself or a local tenant resource before relying on it.
For full Colorado statewide tenant rights, see our Colorado tenant rights guide.
Common Issues Renters Face in Colorado Springs
These are the most frequent lease-related problems reported by tenants in the Colorado Springs area:
- Military community creates significant SCRA early termination dynamics
- Colorado's notice rules for ending an annual lease can catch tenants off guard
- Defense sector commercial space near Peterson and Schriever AFBs has specialized access requirements
Negotiating Your Lease in Colorado Springs
Colorado's entry and termination notice rules can differ from what tenants expect, so check the current state law and the lease's notice terms. Colorado Springs' military presence means SCRA considerations are important. The defense contractor commercial market has specialized lease provisions.
- Research comparable rents in the same submarket before negotiating
- Negotiate CAM caps to limit unpredictable operating expense increases
- Commonly negotiated: a clear early termination clause with a defined penalty rather than open-ended damages
- Request landlord approval rights be subject to a "not unreasonably withheld" standard
Colorado Springs military-adjacent leases with no military clause. Defense contractor commercial leases with unusual security clearance and access control provisions that can affect your ability to sublease or assign.
Local Tip for Colorado Springs Renters
Colorado Springs has 5 military installations within the metro area — more than almost any city in the country. If anyone in your household is active duty, ask a local attorney how the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act may affect the lease, and check whether the lease mentions military termination. Any lease that doesn't include these is a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Colorado Springs
- What is the average rent in Colorado Springs?
- Colorado Springs averages about $1,200-1,600/month.
- Does Colorado Springs have rent control?
- Rent control rules depend on state and local law, and they change. Check the current rules with your state or local housing agency, or a local tenant resource, before relying on them.
- How does the military presence affect Colorado Springs leases?
- Colorado Springs is home to five major military installations including Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, and the Air Force Academy. Military tenants may use SCRA early termination rights after qualifying orders. Many landlords are experienced with military lease provisions.
- What notice does Colorado require to end a tenancy?
- Colorado's notice periods for ending a tenancy vary by tenancy length, so check the current state law and the lease's notice terms. This is frequently overlooked by tenants who assume standard 30-day notice applies. Budget your move timeline to account for this.
- What special provisions are needed for defense contractor commercial leases near Colorado Springs bases?
- Commercial leases for businesses contracting with Peterson, Schriever, or Cheyenne Mountain operations may require facility security clearance provisions, access control requirements, and classified information handling capabilities. These requirements must be negotiated into lease terms from the start.