Apartments for Rent in Colorado

Colorado

The "rocky mountain high" of Colorado draws new residents every year, so the Colorado apartment market is currently booming. Why so much interest in this mid-west state? It has a wonderful blend of natural beauty, fresh air and cool, dry temperatures that just can't be matched anywhere else.

While agriculture is important (particularly wheat, cattle and sheep), Colorado's tourism is becoming the star of its economic boom. Exclusive ski resorts in Vale, Aspen and Colorado Springs thrive on their combination of skiing, snowboarding and extreme sports and high end shopping districts. Gold and silver mining, finance and oil also make significant contributions to the economy.

Denver, the largest city in the state, is well known for being a sophisticated city with a distinctive liberal bent. It has become a popular location for independent film-makers in recent years. Over two-thirds of Colorado's 4.7 million residents live within the triangle formed by Denver, Boulder and Aurora.

The military and government are also strong presences in Colorado because of the state's importance in the center of the country. NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) is located at both Peterson Air Force Base and Cheyenne Mountain.

Outdoor Attractions

Anything that has to do with snow and mountains is enormously popular in Colorado, which boasts hundreds of fabulous ski lodges that rent some of Colorado's most expensive apartments year round and seasonally. The Rocky Mountain National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Monument are popular sites for mountain and rock climbing, camping, whitewater rafting and hiking.

The area is also rich with historical Indian sites, including Mesa Verde's cliff-side complexes that were Colorado's first apartments – entire Native American pueblos carved into the face of sheer cliffs.

Colorado's natural beauty can also mean danger – the weather here is some of the most beautiful – and dangerous – in the country. Frequent lightning strikes, sudden hailstorms and flooding are all part of the package that provides warm summers, cool winters and brisk, dry air.

Colleges and Universities

The Colorado state university system maintains two campuses, but there are dozens of other colleges and universities in the state, including the University of Colorado at Boulder, which arguably has one of the most scenic campuses in the country. The United States Air Force Academy is also in Colorado, close to strategic bases in the state.

Real Estate and Housing

The cost of a Colorado apartment depends largely on where you are looking. The prices vary more within Colorado than in almost any other state. If you're looking in Vail or Aspen, expect to cough up some serious change – prices are in line with major east and west coast cities. Denver, Boulder and Aurora apartments are more in line with national averages.